2016 Christmas Music Marathon - Day 14

"And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of heavenly host praising God and saying: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace goodwill toward men."
"So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, Let us now go to Bethlehem to see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us." (Luke 2:14-15)
One can only imagine the shock and awe experienced by the shepherds on the night of Christ's birth. Out of nowhere an angel appears and delivers the birth announcement. Then the first angel is joined by a multitude, perhaps too many to number, singing praises to God. Two thousand years later we still have the opportunity to come to the cross and see what God has made known to us. Sing Noel and have a blessed day.

Inspiration Thursday

While many people will tell you that the colors and weather of fall make autumn their favorite season of the year, most people will admit that they look forward to spring. Each year the temperatures begin to warm, the rains come, and the earth begins to turn green with new life. Flowers explode with vibrant colors and announce that winter is over and a new season of life has begun.
When a person accepts Christ as their Savior a new season of life begins. In fact a new life starts. The Bible tells us, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;..." (2 Corinthians 5:17). The new life that is available through Christ is available to anyone. Again, the Bible teaches, "For God so loved the world and that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16). 
This Sunday is Easter Sunday and there is no better way to celebrate the resurrection of our Savior than worshiping with other believers. He is risen and a new life is ours through Christ.

 

It's Friday, but Sunday's Coming

2012 Christmas Music Marathon Day 26

Several years ago I found this wreath at Walmart for five dollars.  It is made out of mylar on a plastic frame.  It was fun, festive and cheap.  So, I bought it and took to the office where it has adorned my door for the past few Christmas seasons.

Well, if you have followed this blog for the past couple of weeks,  you know that my wife can make a wreath that will put this to shame.  And since she has already made several wreaths for friends and co-workers, I decided that my office door needed a new look.  I informed her that my little mylar decoration wasn't going to cut it this year and I needed something nicer.  I got what I asked for.

Now that's a wreath for the season.  Thank you dear.

Christmas Music Marathon

 

Christmas Music Marathon Day 5

My wife has a talent for creating decorations of all sorts.  Give her some real or artificial  flowers, some ribbon and a few other accessories, and you will be amazed at what she will create.  I will post a few other examples of her work, as it relates to Christmas in the coming days.  Not many people are as talented as my wife is, in this area.  However, we are all talented in some area.

The God of all creation put each of us on this planet for a reason.  He has given every individual a unique personality along with a variety of talents and gifts.  He expects us to use our talents to bring honor and glory to Him.  The greatest gift ever given to man is the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ.  Like all gifts, we mus accept that gift before it can become ours.  We must acknowledge our need for a Savior, repent of our sinful behavior, confess our sins to the Lord, accept that Christ is indeed the Son of the Living God and invite Him into our heart.  Christ himself said, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him and he with Me.  To him who overcomes, I will grant to sit with Me on My throne..." (Rev.3:20-21) 

There is a gift waiting for you at the door of your heart.  If you choose to accept it, then all of the other talents and gifts that you possess will make sense and can be used for the purpose for which they were intended.  If you have already accepted that gift of eternal life, then how are you using the other talents that our Creator has blessed you with?  The best way to use most of our gifts, is to give them away in service to Him.

Skywatch Friday Thoughts and More

 Click on badge to view other participants.

Memorial Week-end Sunset, Ada, Oklahoma

It is amazing to me, the colors that can be produced in a sunset...or a sunrise for that matter.  Each day is different.  Some are rather mundane, while others are simply spectacular.  At this stage of my life, sunsets often remind me that I am entering the sunset of my career.  Believe me, that is not a bad thing.  I am looking forward to retirement, or semi-retirement, which ever opportunity comes my way.  I am ready to slow down a little and enjoy life.  I am ready to let someone else take the reins and manage seventy-plus staff.  Sunsets can be the signal of the end of one thing, but the promise of a new beginning tomorrow.  I wonder what my tomorrow will bring.  I do know one thing for sure.  "You can't keep a good man down".  Enjoy.

Thank you Lord, for a life that has been much better than I deserve, for a career that has allowed me to travel the country, raise a family, and live in a beautiful part of this world.  Thank you for good health, and wonderful family, and co-workers that I enjoy.  Thank you for the gift of eternal life.

Christmas Music Marathon Day 18

Last Wednesday night we went to a concert at church.  It was NewSong's "Very Merry Christmas" tour.  It was AWSOME!  Loud, but awsome.  Their guests were Newsboys and Kerrie Roberts.  Earlier in this marathon I posted a song by NewSong called "Christmas Shoes".  That song was released in 2000.  It was the inspiration for a book and eventually became a made-for-tv movie.  They have released a new Christmas album and the title cut is called "The Christmas Hope".  Enjoy.

Ruby Tuesday

Oh look!  Driller has a new Ruby Tuesday badge!  I wonder where that came from? Well gather around and I'll tell you.  Sunday was the first day of Advent and there was a special music presentation at church.  Three of the grand crew were involved.  As a result, they were all dressed in their Christmas finery.  See.

The young lady on the right is the youngest grand daughter and she is all about sparkle.  If it's shiney, she wants to wear it.  Put some glitter on a t-shirt and it becomes her favorite.  Well, she was wearing something that sparkled Sunday.  See.

Her shoes!  As soon as I saw those shoes I thought of Mary and Ruby Tuesday.  This going to make a great Ruby Tuesday badge for the rest of December!  As it turns out, this post is all about shoes.  Ruby shoes in fact.
If you haven't been here in a week or so, you have missed my Christmas Music marathon. I will be posting a Christmas song everyday until Christmas. Today's selection couldn't be more appropriate for a Ruby Tuesday that would honor Mary's new Ruby Tuesday badge and the grand daughter's  Christmas shoes. The song is "Christmas Shoes", by NewSong. Enjoy




Tomorrow is usually Wordless Wednesday.  My post may be wordless, but it won't be void of Christmas music.  See ya tomorrow.

Skywatch Friday Thoughts and More

Click of badge to view other participants

I finished my first 500 posts with a Skywatch Friday, so, it only seemed appropriate to start my second 500 with a Skywatch Friday post.  It is still hot here, 100+ every day this week.  We got a good rain shower a week ago, but that's been the only rain we've had in five weeks.  It's been a l-o-n-g, hot summer.  Hurry up Autumn.
It's too hot to think, so I'll go right to the inspirational song this week.  It's another great hymn of the faith, with just a bit of a contemporary twist.  NewSong sings "How Great Thou Art."  Enjoy, and have a wonderful week-end.