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.

Christmas Music Marathon Day 4

Well, Thanksgiving is over, Black Friday has come and gone, some have even done their Cyber Monday shopping, all in the name of the spirit of giving.  One has to ask, what is the true motivation for all of this giving.  Why do we fight the crowds, brave the weather, stand in endless lines, just to purchase something that may get returned?  I suppose some go through all of this to impress those who will receive the gifts.  We hope they will be impressed with our selection, and maybe even know that we spent a significant amount on them.  Others make an attempt to indicate how important someone is in their life by the gift that is offered.  You spend more on your kids than you do on those in the office gift exchange.  Still others are seeking some sort of acceptance.  If we can just give a good enough gift, the recipient will like us more.  In the midst of the madness, there is a tendency to forget what Christmas is truly all about.
Christmas is about love.  More importantly, it is about God's love for us.  In fact, the Bible tells us that "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)  God has provided us with a way to have an everlasting relationship with Him.  But there is only one way.  Christ himself said, "I am the way, the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6)  God's love for His creation and His desire to have an everlasting fellowship with us, is His motivation for the gift of eternal life through His son, Jesus Christ.  This is what is at the heart of Christmas.

2012 Christmas Music Marathon Day 3

Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving 2012 was a blessed day.  Our immediate family gathered, dined and enjoyed an afternoon together.  It all started the day before.

The two younger grand daughters came out to the house to spend the night and help Nana get ready for Thanksgiving.  They helped prepare some specially decorated cupcakes and some special decorations for the pumpkin pie.  They also assisted in setting the table.  A little later it was time for some popcorn and a little TV before going to bed.

 Here are the special "Gobbler" cupcakes.

The table was set with all of the family favorite dishes.  There was mashed potatoes, dressing, corn, cranberry salad, and another cool whip/marshmellow/jello salad that some of us eat as dessert.  There was also the traditional pumpkin and pecan pies.  Yes, there was turkey.  Looking at the first photo and this table setting, I am reminded just how blessed this family is.  We are together, we have our health, and we enjoy spending time together.  Thank you Lord for all that  you have given us this day and every day.

For whatever reason, the grand crew had been to Cabela's recently and got bit by the archery/shooting bug.

I don't own a bow, but I do have a pellet rifle and they were all for a little target practice in the back yard.

 I set up a target in the back yard.  Since our back yard is adjacent to the woods, a missed shot will fall harmlessly into the ravine.  Here, my son-in-law and three of the grand crew prepare to lock and load.

 After a little instruction from Papa. This grand daughter was starting to hit the target on a pretty regular basis.  I'm not sure what we've started, but I do know that all of the kids Christmas wish lists now include a pellet rifle.  Go figure.

 Even my daughter got into the act.  I don't know if that is a good thing or not.  Just sayin'

All in all, it was a great day.  The holidays are indeed about family and today was a great family day.

The Christmas Music Marathon continues with a couple of more videos from contemporary groups.  Stop by every day to see what new music will be featured.  Enjoy.

  

2012 Christmas Music Marathon Day 2

Have you ever received a gift that disappointed you just a little bit?  I mean, you really wanted something for Christmas.  You dropped hints.  You dreamed about how great Christmas Day would be when you found that special gift under the tree.  But instead you got a different gift...not exactly what  you were expecting.  Only later did you realize that the gift that had, at first disappointed, was truly the gift that you needed.  At the time of Christ, most of His people were looking for a Messiah.  That is, they were looking for someone to free them from Roman rule.  The were looking for a military/political leader to establish a new kingdom here on earth.  Instead, God sent a carpenter...the gift that we truly needed. God sent the one that could free their souls for eternity and give the gift of eternal life.  It is a gift that is still available to those who will receive it and it is still the gift that we all truly need.

2012 Christmas Music Marathon-Day 1

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Today marks the return of two of my favorite things. It's been a long time since I posted a Skywatch Friday and today marks the beginning of the 2012 Christmas Music Marathon. When I was posting to Skywatch Friday on a regular basis, I would also post an inspirational song for the week. I will return to that practice as well. Black Friday marks the true beginning of the Christmas season for the retail world. We will be overwhelmed with product ads trying to get us to purchase things that we probably don't need. We just survived a political campaign in which two candidates tried to persuade us that they were best suited to run the country, and now it's time to endure endless Christmas ads. Let's take a few moments each day for the next few weeks to focus on the real reason for the season. A Savior is born. Let's "Take a Walk Through Bethlehem". Let the season begin!

Not So Wordless Wednesday

Centerpiece

One of the most creative people I know is the person that I married.  My wife has a gift for event planning, decorations, and interior design.  She has had no formal training in these areas, but there is no denying her talent.  The arrangement pictured above is just a glimpse of her skills.  During the next few weeks, you will see other examples of her gifts because Christmas is coming and I am married to one of Santa's elves.  She likes nothing better than turning the house into a show place of Christmas spirit.

Than brings me to another upcoming event.  DrillerAA's Christmas Music Marathon will begin this Friday.  This is the third annual event.  Each day I will post one or more Christmas video's along with other Christmas oriented thoughts.  Here is an example of what you can expect in the coming days.

  

So, if you're looking for a little more Christ in your Christmas, stop by here and see what music is celebrating the birth of a Savior.  See you on Friday.  Happy Thanksgiving all.

Ruby Tuesday

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I found this little jewel at a local car show a few months back.  I was scrolling through my photos to see if I had anything that I could use for Ruby Tuesday and there it was and now, here it is.  Happy Ruby Tuesday all.
Okay, this is Thanksgiving week and some of you know what that means.  On Friday I will begin posting my third annual Christmas Music Marathon.  There will be a new post and a new Christmas themed music video each day until Christmas day, maybe even until New Years day.  The music will range from traditional carols, to hymns, to contemporary Christian music.  The focus of the music will be the birth of our Savior.  In a day and time when we push the limits of material possessions, in the name of "holiday spirit", I have decided that for 30 days, I will make an effort to put Christ back in Christmas.  Stop by Friday for the first post of the Christmas season here at Driller's Place.  See you then.