Morning Prayer: Make My Life a Prayer to You

Make my life a prayer to You
I wanna do what You want me to
No empty words and no white lies
No token prayers no compromise

I wanna shine the light You gave
Thru Your Son You sent to save us
From ourselves and our despair
It comforts me to know You're really there

Chorus:
Well I wanna thank You now
For being patient with me
Oh it's so hard to see
When my eyes are on me
I guess I'll have to trust
And just believe what You say
Oh you're coming again
Coming to take me away

I wanna die and let You give
Your life to me so I might live
And share the hope You gave me
The love that set me free

I wanna tell the world out there
You're not some fable or fairy tale
That I've made up inside my head
You're God the Son and You've risen from the dead

Chorus

I wanna die and let You give
Your life to me so I might live
And share the hope You gave me
The love that set me free

Oddity of the Day -- Pinto Bean Fudge and Mock Pumpkin Pie

Mock Pumpkin Pie

2 cups pinto cooked and pureed with water
3 eggs
1 12-oz. can evaporated milk (fat-free)
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 unbaked pie shell (I used Mrs. Smith's frozen shell)

Use ONLY unseasoned pinto beans, cooked to a mushy stage. Puree in blender or food processor until very very smooth with one half cup water. Mix in remaining ingredients. Pour into pie shell. Bake in preheated 425° F oven for 15 minutes. Reduce temperature to 350° degrees and continue baking for 45 minutes or until done. Cool. Garnish with whipped cream, if desired.

Lots of protein and fiber; BUT right around 300 calories for one eighth of a pie. If you substitute Splenda, the calories are reduced to 200 per slice.

Pinto Bean Fudge

1 cup warm cooked pinto beans pureed with very little water, or it will be runny
3/4 cup melted butter
1 cup cocoa
1 tablespoon vanilla
2 pounds powdered sugar (8 cups)
1 cup chopped pecans

Puree beans by any method, but try not to add any more moisture. Add melted butter, cocoa and vanilla. Mix in powdered sugar gradually. Add nuts if desired. Press into a 9 x 13 inch oiled or non-stick pan. Store in the refrigerator.

A whopping 690 calories per serving (one ninth). If you substitute Splenda for the sugar, the calories go to 280. Lots of protein and fiber. You could reduce the overall fat by using margarine, but I don't know how it would turn out... The calories are reduced to 210 per piece by leaving out the pecans.

Last Things

Today is my childrens' last day in public school (for the time being.) So this is my last morning for a while completely alone, except for the romping cats. I am going to enjoy this cup of coffee (Saint's Coffee, Free Trade, Organic and the sale supports orphans at the rate of one month a food per pound of coffee sold).

I have most things in place; ordered textbooks, lesson planning is occurring, educational contract is being written. The decision was not lightly made or easily made, but now there is a tremendous feeling of relief mixed with a small bit of anxiety. I had not realized until I made this decision how I really dislike our public schools. The anxiety comes from them leaving an excellent orchestra program and not having a replacement fully nailed down yet. They are anxious about leaving behind friends -- an anxiety I can fully understand. I have already been in full contact with one homeschool network and looking forward to meeting people in the second homeschool network.

I also have already written my first curriculum. For literature, we are going to read 4 of Shakespeare's plays, starting with one of my favorites "As You Like It." We are going to read aloud to one another every day (diction, vocabulary, poetry). I am going to have Entropy copy a few "lines" every day (handwriting, memorization). The are going to analyze each Act, imagine the staging, costuming. By the end I hope each have created a derivative work of their own choosing. I am also going to encourage them to memorize and stage a scene. We then will watch a couple of movies and go see the play at the Georgia Shakespeare Festival. At the end of the first month, I will re-evaluate, to see if it's really worth it.

So I am going to go an enjoy this last cup of coffee in a completely empty house -- later, y'all.

Oddity of the Day -- Puppy Nearly Killed by Wii Remote

Death by Wii, except for some Mouth to Mouth.

Morning Prayer: To Obey is Better Than Sacrifice

To obey is better than sacrifice,
I don't need your money, I want your life.
And I hear you say that I'm coming back soon,
But you act like I'll never return.

Well you speak of grace and my love so sweet,
How you thrive on milk, but reject my meat,
And I can't help weeping of how it will be,
If you keep on ignoring my words.
Well you pray to prosper and succeed,
But your flesh is something I just can't feed.

To obey is better than sacrifice.
I want more than Sunday and Wednesday nights,
Cause if you can't come to me every day,
Then don't bother coming at all.
Lah, lah,lah….

To obey is better than sacrifice.
I want hearts of fire, not your prayers of ice.
And I'm coming quickly, to give back to you,
According to what you have done,
According to what you have done,
According to what you have done.

Shut De Do' Keep Out De Debil

Reason Sixteen for Homeschool

I dropped Entropy off at school this morning. She has the sniffles, but she's going. I helped into and out of the car. She's been complaining of back pain -- and then it occurred to me that her bookbag weighs at least 40 pounds. Well, duh! (slap myself on the forehead moment) I asked her why her bag was so heavy -- it seems she carries everything around all the time b/c 1) her locker is broken and the school hasn't fixed it YET (reported around Thanksgiving) and 2) the kids vandalize stuff in the lockers.

More about Homeschool

• Reason Thirteen: IE2
• Fourteen: and this. Georgia has upped the number of kids allowable in classrooms because of the economic situation.
  
• Fifteen: Because of the Draconic attendance policies, sick kids go to school infecting kids who are just getting well in a horrible cycle. Chaos has had surgery this school year so far, about six colds and mono. She's anemic and "run down." But because of the attendance policy, being "run down" is not a good enough excuse to miss school. Entropy had rheumatic fever two years ago and caught strep this year -- scary. Then she had a bad reaction to the antibiotic. No going to school equals less exposure to germs.

Tuesday Bullets: Including My Ponderings about Homeschool

• The Methoblogger story was picked up by UMNews. Do I need to pick up the blog like I'd pick up the house for company?
• I'm now friends with Matt Fox on Facebook (of Room by Room fame). For some reason that tickles me.
  
• I've been playing with Google Insight. It's interesting to note that the search term "United Methodist Church" is most used by ... Alabama. Georgia is high on the list as well -- number 2, in fact, with most searches coming from the Atlanta area. Interesting.
• I've been considering homeschool for the kids. There are several reasons.
• First, I believe that they are horribly stressed out and school is THE major stressor. The peer pressure, the pressure to "be the best", the amount of homework. I see my children becoming depressed from the amount of stress they are encountering and I am ready to say "enough."
• Second, gifted children are not encouraged to feed their gift. My eldest could go through this curriculum so much faster than they are giving it to her -- she's not being challenged. If we homeschool, she can self-pace.
• Third, children who "don't get it" aren't given additional time and space to master the subject. If we homeschool, they can self-pace.
• Fourth, I'm tired of homework for the sake of homework. To spend 5 and 6 hours on homework a night that seems to be just busywork -- this is ridiculous. A homeschooler only needs 4.5 hours of schooling day -- or until mastery is reached. It would actually free up a lot of time.
• Fifth, the new Mathematics curriculum is horrible. They are not going to be prepared for college with this curriculum and I'm tired of fighting the system. Opting out seems the only option.
• Sixth, I'm tired of the underlying themes of gangsta culture in our schools.
• Seven I'm tired of the bullying and violence.
• Eight, I'm tired of the kids' lack of self-worth and confidence that is engendered by these schools.
• Nine, it will be much easier to pull up roots and move eventually.
• Ten, field trips.
• Eleven, I get to select the curriculum.
• Twelve, I'm tired of the two hour difference in the beginning and ending of the two schools.
  

• On the flip-side:
• This is indeed going to cost: time and money.
• I won't have any quiet mornings at home.
• It will take a large amount of discipline: both from the girls and myself.
• I have to be very careful to select good curriculum and accredited curriculum.
• I don't know that homeschoolers can qualify for college scholarship or things like All-State orchestra or Governor's Honors. More research is needed.
  

• I would love to hear some other's experiences....
  

Blogging Toward Sunday: John 1:43-51

The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, "Follow me." Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, "We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth." Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said of him, "Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!" Nathanael asked him, "Where did you get to know me?" Jesus answered, "I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you." Nathanael replied, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" Jesus answered, "Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these." And he said to him, "Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man."

I like John – favorite gospel. Speaks to me – Luke was my favorite, then Mark, now John.
Stresses different stories – ask your spouse the story of your relationship, you will get different stories/ what the other sees as formative/important.

John starts with a beautiful word poem – parallel to the most important point in history to that point, creation. God spoke the Word and the world was created – now the Word has become flesh and is dwelling (pitching tent and all that implies) among us.

It's all about new beginnings. Then moves to John the Baptizer – different points than the story last week – John the Gospel makes it very clear about who John the Baptizer really is: not the Messiah, not Elijah come again, but a voice crying in the wilderness –

John calls Jesus Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world – and testifies to the movement of the Holy Spirit in Jesus’ life.

The next day (parallel here to the days of creation), he gathers together two of the disciples – those who will be beacons of light to the world – Nathaniel and Phillip, telling them to “Come and see.” (phrase found a lot in John) They join Andrew, Peter and John as disciples so by this point there are 5 of them.

The fig tree -- why was he under the fig tree? Theory #1 -- his mom was a single mother and would leave him under the fig tree to go work in the fields. Theory #2 -- he was very devout and would sit under the fig tree, praying and studying the Torah. I like number 2.

Why did Nathanael so easily belive??

Morning Prayer: Repurposed, reblogged, renewed, recycled.

This is a day of new beginnings,
time to remember and move on,
time to believe what love is bringing,
laying to rest the pain that's gone.
...
Then let us, with the Spirit's daring,
step from the past and leave behind
our disappointment, guilt, and grieving,
seeking new paths, and sure to find.

-Brian Wren, 1978, UMH 383

Thinking more about resolutions -- like someone quipped last week, I'm not making any new resolutions because the old ones were hardly used.

Most people consider January 1st the beginning of the new year -- where all things are fresh and new. Time to forgive and forget, time to start over, to zero the counters and see where we can go from here.

The Liturgical year begins right after Thanksgiving with Advent. The fiscal year for a lot of businesses is July 1.

Some people's new year begins the week school starts. Regardless of the time of year, we can say to ourselves, "Today is the beginning of my new year. All things are forgiven and forgotten. There is nothing ahead but possibilities." Yes, consequences of the past can and will remain -- the scars never really fade, but we take a moment and remember move on and beyond them, easing their tightness with balm.

So today, I began a diet (I need to loose an entire 6th grader...), I am going to seriously begin to do the spiritual disciplines again in the morning -- prayer, fasting, meditation, study, contemplation. I am going to start walking again, even thought it hurts. I am going to increase my attendance in Karate class to three times a week. I am reducing the clutter in my life -- material possessions, but also the busy-ness of modern life. It is not a deprivation of my children if we get rid of activity for activity's sake -- and concentrate on more of the reasons for existence. It is as nourishing for the person to spend time in leisure as it is to nourish our bodies with food.

I have spent a year in a "purge" and the purge will continue. I am re-purposing things; reclaiming them from the pile of trash and giving them new life. I am giving away tremendous amounts of "stuff" and lightening the load. I am cleaning under appliances and behind things -- taking care of "hidden" dirt. What does it matter if the exterior looks nice if the interior is crammed full of broken and useless things and full of dust bunnies and dirt?

As I have blogged before, I was going to do an art project a while back -- I was going to take a white and gold chasable and make it beautiful -- and then line it with a piece of cheap cloth with stains, tire tread marks and words of filth written in a coarse hand. The lining would be ripped and unrepaired. A commentary on the priesthood, as a whole. But starting with me.

Here is an interesting website about the practice of faith. I don't agree with it one hundred percent, but it is good for contemplating.

But first rest. And rest can be a spiritual discipline.

Christ is alive, and goes before us
to show and share what love can do.
This is a day of new beginnings;
our God is making all things new.

Oddity of the Day -- Normal Couple Marries at Taco Bell

First there was the Waffle House Wedding, now a "Normal" couple marries at Taco Bell. Normal Illinois, that is.

Makes one wonder what Normal really is. Why these weddings at eating establishments? Is there an echo of sacrament -- can we sense the sacramental of the common meal here? Are they drawn to do this sacramental action at a place they hear an echo of the common meal? (we Methodists don't think of it as a sacrament even though we use sacramental language).

Inquiring minds....

Oddity of the Day -- Atlanta White House

Who was to know? We have our own Atlanta White House. It's 3/4 scale -- and the inside is very lavish. It's for sale, if you have the desire to sit and feel presidential -- $9 million will get you into this estate...

Edited: The home is no longer for sale -- the owner is no longer in foreclosure. He credits lots of prayer for the decision of the bank to refinance rather than foreclose.

Methoblogger Meetup at COE with Bishop Schnase

A group of us who tweet, blog or are just buddies met for several hours with Bishop Robert Schnase of 5 Fruitful Practices notoriety. Some of us have known each other for a while -- others just met. Our Methobloggers group included:

• Bishop Schnay-Z
• Gavin of Hit the Back Button
  
• TNRambler
• Mid-Life Rookie
• Reverend Mommy (That's me!)
• Jay Voorhees of Only Wonder
• Amy Forbus of God and Dog
  
• RileyByrd,
• Erin Richardson, and
• Amy Shanholzter. (Nice to meet y'all!)
  

We talked for quite a while and I didn't take notes. But this is what I remember that we discussed.

• The essence of blogging community and how these connections and relationships are just as "real" as ones we have in real life. (My ongoing question: How do we embody an incarnational ministry in a "virtual" environment?)
  
• Copyright issues: the sharing of information and creative media, the fine line between sharing a blog posting vs. an email; how a blog posting is considered "open game" for many people, a little about Creative Commons.
  
• Communication across the lines of the church -- how it's a paradigm shift between generations of the medium but not necessarily the message.
  
• Who are the "bright lights" in Methodism today; I think I would call them "gravitational poles" -- do we even have such where all of Methodism can gravitate? (Perhaps the Bishop himself could be that Bright Light with the 5 Practices?)
  
• What exactly is role of technology in church?
• We also talked a bit about authenticity and transparency and how authority is perceived by different generations.
  
• As Gavin said: "we solved global warming, but jay doesn't think it'll work." All problems in Methodism were solved, if only someone would listen.
  
• We gave some feedback to the Bishop about how his role in the Blogging community could evolve and work -- some discussion of "organic growth" vs. "forced structure."
  
• The enormous and irreconcilable divide in the Methoblogosphere around the issue of Pork, Beef or Chicken BBQ.
• Gavin wanted to discuss "Twilight" and "Potter Puppet Pals" but we just ran out of time.
  

More later, as time allows.

News Type Posting

• I'm home from the Blogger Meetup and finally am rested up somewhat.
• End of the Year Reports equal lots of excitement (not).
• The family is now very seriously contemplating Homeschooling. I'm going to try to build a game plan today, using a variety of sources. More about this later.
• Working on sermon -- looking for illustrations.
• It's time to put the Nativity scenes away for the year and this makes me sad for some reason.
• Lots of sorting of books on the schedule for next week.
• The Loving Husband is Blogging.
  

Oddity of the Day -- The Porn Industry Requests a Bailout

I am at a loss for words. Larry Flynt (who most Lawrencevillians know EXACTLY where he was shot...) requests a bailout according to this article in the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

In an announcement that launched a thousand unprintable puns, adult-entertainment moguls Larry Flynt and Joe Francis said Wednesday that they are asking Washington for a $5 billion federal bailout, claiming that the porn business is suffering from the soft economy. (maybe it just needs some Viagra...)

I am glad the headline was not like this one.

So sorry, Larry. You have a BIG misconception going on here: most people do NOT need porn to have intimate relations with a partner.

He's such a Hustler.

***

On a more serious note: What???

Back online

But now off to NashVegas to meet with Bishop Schnase, Gavin, Amy and TNRambler for dinner. And I think prolly Mid-Life Rookie. Yes, a 4 hour drive for dinner. =o)

Monday Bullets

• My brain is toast so these will be disjointed.
• Critterbit is now better known as "Bad Idea Kitty." She continually has bad ideas. I had a kitty much like this 20 years ago who got run over by a car. He would chase anything. I'm keeping BIK in the house as much as possible. I've too much emotional energy invested to have her squashed.
• The kids are off to school and I'm on my second cup of coffee. I forget how much "alone time" I truly need. I suppose that makes me partially an introvert.
• I'm looking forward to dinner with the Bishop on Wednesday -- not my OWN Bishop, but Bishop Schnase of MO. More details later.
• I did some Second Life networking yesterday. I'm not as into the building of things anymore or gaming -- it's more like a glorified Chat for me right now. I just don't have time.
• I've still got the remains of a cold. I wish it would go away.
• The next project on my own "Personal Home Improvement" show -- I want to strip off some wallpaper and I don't want to use toxic chemicals. I am going to try the fabric softener trick. The wall in the kitchen near the fireplace - I want to paint with blackboard paint. I don't think I need to use a lot of blackboard paint; I think too much would make for a gloomy room. But I am wondering about painting the entire powder room with it and providing chalk.... Hmm....
• Also on the Home Improvement front -- not having boxes of books in the Living Room charges my batteries. Never again, I say, never again will I let the books take over. I have a small table set up in the garage and I am going to sort books out there, making room as I go.And then -- Chaos is all about a Dojang in the garage.
• And Chaos is losing some weight -- necessary as she is a few pounds overweight. She's starting to show definite muscle definition. As she reduces body fat, I can see more and more muscle. She's really wanting a Wavemaster XXL, a stationary bike and an elliptical. Why don't they come in pink?
• Entropy is quiet. She loves her Wii -- she received several games this Christmas. She likes her re-decorated room. We are still waiting on curtains. She's not as outspoken in some ways as Chaos. I'm sure it will come in time. She wants dance lessons, but the local studio is not starting new classes right now -- I'm sure it's tied to the economy.
• In fact, the Karate studio, the music studio and the dance studio are WAY down on enrollment because of the economy. Wave after wave of this recession hit, taking out more and different businesses. Where is the recovery from this?
• One of the major reasons I'm skipping the Congress on Evangelism (except for Wednesday night) is economic -- it would be around $500 for a room and registration. Then there is food and gas and parking and other incidentals. I figured at least $800 for the COE. Frankly, we need an outbuilding in the backyard more than I need to attend the COE. And Entropy wants a dog and we don't have a fence. We need to purchase a fence before we get the dog...
  
• And the septic tank needs work today. It's not to the "Gross! Ew!" stage yet, but I'm not going to let it get there. And I need a new tire on the Expedition. And there is some necessary clothing purchases for myself and the girls this week -- So there it is. The $800 the COE would have cost me (plus lots more.)

Edited:

• The septic tank is going to cost ... a lot. A whole lot. Especially seeing that they cut both the phone line and the cable digging it up. I'm pirating internet and watching DS9 on DVD. Season 3, to be specific. There's not a whole lot you can do without using the septic system, the phone system, the internet or the cable. I've sorted stuff, but can't do the laundry. I've wiped the counters down, but can't do the dishes. I can fold clothes that are finished while watching ... DS9, not HGTV. First day I get to "do mommy stuff" and I'm thwarted by the vagarities of life. I think I'll stop pirating cable now.
• There is grace found in ordinary things. There is a lot of grace in slowing down. I get a lot out of just sitting in prayer and holding a sleepy kitten. Why do I keep forgetting this?
  

Thinking about Resolutions

• I am going to work on my "house" more until finished. If this is finished this year, so be it. If not, so be it. It's the process that is important.
• I am going to work on my ordination papers. If finished by this year, so be it. If not, then there is always next year.
• Prayer -- every single day, regardless if I blog it or not.
• Healthier eating. Not perfection, but improvement. Reduce fat and carbs. Increase protein and vegetables. Whole grains.
• More exercise. Again, not "perfect" exercise, just more of it.
• I'm not going to do anything out of a sense of "I oughta." There are things that must be done (like job/work stuff and taking out the garbage) but I am not going to fill the schedule out of a sense of "I oughta." I'm going to do elective things that restore my batteries, rather than drain them.
• There are projects that I just didn't finish this year -- blog projects among them. I am not going to sweat it. They will remain unfinished.
  

Morning Prayer -- Psalm 34

Awake, awake to love and work!
The lark is in the sky
the fields are wet with diamond dew
The worlds awake to cry
their praises to the Fount of Life
Christ Jesus passes by.

Come, let your voice be one with theirs
shout with the shout of praise
See how the giant sun soars up
God's gift for all your days!
So let the love of Jesus come
and set your soul ablaze.

To give and give, and give again,
as God's own grace is free
To spend yourself nor count the cost
To serve most gloriously
the God who gave all worlds that are
and all that are to be.

Music: Morning Song Kentucky Harmony (19thC)
Words: Geoffrey Studdert-Kennedy (20thC)

Psalm 34
1 I will always give thanks unto the Lord *
his praise shall ever be in my mouth.
2 My soul shall make her boast in the Lord *
the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.
3 O praise the Lord with me *
and let us magnify his Name together.
4 I sought the Lord, and he heard me *
yea, he delivered me out of all my fear.
5 They had an eye unto him, and were lightened *
and their faces were not ashamed.
6 Lo, the poor crieth, and the Lord heareth him *
yea, and saveth him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the Lord tarrieth round about them that fear him *
and delivereth them.
8 O taste, and see, how gracious the Lord is *
blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
9 O fear the Lord, ye that are his saints *
for they that fear him lack nothing.

Pro 24:13
My son, eat honey, for it is good, and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste.

Psa 119:103
How sweet are thy words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

Exd 16:31
Now the house of Israel called its name manna; it was like coriander seed, white, and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey.

Thank you for the taste of the Kingdom you have given me Lord.
The flakes of manna that have fallen into my life.
Thank you for the honey of the Word
That sweetens all that I do or say.
Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the Universe,
who brings forth the sweetness from the earth.
Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the Universe,
who made creation.
Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the Universe,
who has kept us alive
and preserved us and enabled us to reach this season.

In the Newness of this Year
Form me into what You will --
Shape me into a servant, a mother, a disicple.
Amen.

Watchnight -- John Wesley

I am no longer my own, but thine.

Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt.

Put me to doing, put me to suffering.

Let me be employed for thee or laid aside for thee,

exalted for thee or brought low for thee.

Let me be full, let me be empty.

Let me have all things, let me have nothing.

I freely and heartily yield all things to thy pleasure and disposal.

And now, O glorious and blessed God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,

thou art mine, and I am thine.

So be it.

And the covenant which I have made on earth,

let it be ratified in heaven.

Amen.

Contemplating the Year

Looking back, I see that I've made some changes this year. On the home front, I have all boxes of books out of the living areas, for instance. I've helped the girls get their rooms in order. I've had the bedroom painted. I've organized my closet. There is much work yet to do in the house -- I'm thinking about just getting rid of ALL the books in the garage. This would be a big, big step for me. I have this emotional attachment to my books -- and I can't think about just dumping them. I would like some money; that would make me feel better. But getting rid of the Estate stuff out of the garage and the books (and maybe the yard equipment) would allow us to put some exercise equipment and matting down in the garage -- and build a baby dojang. The kids want a big TV in the corner and a stereo system, too. Sounds good to me -- but for this to happen, the books have to go.

This year, we also have two baby kitties -- one not so baby anymore and one still quite young. They have brought much joy to us this year. I have fallen in love with them; with Critter, especially. I don't know how we did without them.

This year, we have two new churches -- and what a blessing they have been. I miss the old people to some extent, but I have loved the opportunity to serve. I don't know how we did without these churches!

Next year, I want to finish up with the Big Purge in this house. I want to finish getting my house in order -- to finish with the estates and to organize what needs to be organized (that would be the sewing room, the garage and the basement.) I want to work on my weight -- both in a direct way and an indirect way -- I want to live a healthier lifestyle. I want to learn to really play the Theremin. To do this, of course, means that I have to FINISH the Theremin.

This push to get rid of stuff, to get into better shape, to improve my mind is essentially a spiritual journey -- in its essence, all three are the same journey. As it says in "The Thunder Perfect Mind" from the Nag Hammadi:

For what is inside of you is what is outside of you,
and the one who fashions you on the outside
is the one who shaped the inside of you.
And what you see outside of you, you see inside of you;
it is visible and it is your garment.

The central thesis for my "Theology of Space" is indeed this -- Unless the exterior life reflects the interior and the interior live reflects the exterior, you live in a cognitive dissonance; you are living in conflict. I have absolutely no problem spending an hour or two a day in contemplation and prayer, attending to my interior life. However, I don't spend that time working on the total exterior life; my physical shape, my grooming habits, my living spaces and my creative nature. So that will be my goal this year -- either to become a complete intellectual, spiritual and emotional slob or to get my exterior life in line with my interior.

Note: (OK, I'm not a complete slob - but more slobby that I would like...)

This is Me Today

more animals

I'm having a hard time getting going the last couple of days. Post-Christmas slump and the beginnings of a cold. But I'm up ... and going. Barely.

Poem -- John Donne, Nativity

NATIVITY.

Immensity, cloister'd in thy dear womb,
Now leaves His well-beloved imprisonment.
There he hath made himself to his intent
Weak enough, now into our world to come.
But O ! for thee, for Him, hath th' inn no room ?
Yet lay Him in this stall, and from th' orient,
Stars, and wise men will travel to prevent
The effects of Herod's jealous general doom.
See'st thou, my soul, with thy faith's eye, how He
Which fills all place, yet none holds Him, doth lie ?
Was not His pity towards thee wondrous high,
That would have need to be pitied by thee ?
Kiss Him, and with Him into Egypt go,
With His kind mother, who partakes thy woe.

Chaos Wants This Wedding Cake

Of course, Chaos is not yet 15, she is not engaged, nor is she looking to be engaged any time soon, but she KNOWS she wants this cake.

Edited:
This cake was found on the internet (don't remember where) but was baked by "Let Them Eat Cake" and another picture of it is in the gallery "Wedding Cakes" on a red background. They have some truly gorgeous cakes. I am fascinated by the idea of fondant icing and the things you can do with it. There is a lady in one of my churches who is learning to work with it and I think that the design opportunities are limitless.

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Mai Happi Xmas Face

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Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Christmas in Prison

MORNING PRAYER

Christmas, 1943

God, to you I call early in the morning.

Help me pray

And gather my thoughts to yourself

I cannot do it alone.

In me it is dark,

But with you is the light;

I am lonely, but you forsake me not;

I am faint-hearted, but with you is help;

I am restless, but with you is peace;

In me is bitterness, but with you is patience;

I do not understand my way, but

You know the way for me.

Father in Heaven,
Praise and thanks
Be yours for the night’s rest.
Praise and thanks be your for the new day.
Praise and thanks be yours for all your kindness
And faithfulness in my past life.
You have shown me much good,
Let me now receive from your hand
What is hard.
You will not lay upon me
More than I can bear.
For your children you let all things
Serve for the best.

Lord Jesus Christ,
You were poor
And miserable, captive and forsaken as I am.
You know every need of humans,
You remain with me
When no man stands by me,
You forget me not and seek me,
You will that I recognize you
And turn to you.
Lord, I hear your call and follow,
Help me!

Holy Spirit,
Give me the faith that rescues me from
Despair, addictions, and vice,
Give me the love for God and humans,
That destroys all hate and bitterness,
Give me the hope that frees me from
Fear and despondency.

Holy, merciful God,
My Creator and my Savior,
My Judge and my Deliverer,
You know me and everything I do.
You hate and punish evil in this world
And in the next with no respect of persons;
You forgive sins for the one
Who asks sincerely;
You love good and reward it on this
Earth with a good conscience
And in the world to come
With the crown of righteousness.

Before you I think of all my loved ones,
And of my fellow prisoners, and of all those
Who do their hard service in this house.
Lord, have mercy!
Grant me freedom again,
And let me so live in the present
That I can live responsibly
Before humans.
Lord, whatever else this day brings—
May your name be praised!
Amen.

Santa Kitteh!!1!

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Bonhoeffer, From Prison on Christmas Eve

O Heavenly Father,
I praise and thank you
For the peace of the night;
I praise and thank you for this new day;
I praise and thank you for all your goodness and
faithfulness throughout my life.
You have granted me many blessings;
Now let me also accept what is hard
from your hand.
You will lay on me no more
than I can bear.
You make all things work together for good
for your children ....

Magi Mouse

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Wii Theremin -- Santa Clause is Coming to Town

Candy Cane Kitteh

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Eated Santy Paws

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Kitteh Nativity

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This week is the candle of Love

Speak tenderly to them.
Let there be kindness in your face,
in your eyes, in your smile,
in the warmth of your greeting.
Always have a cheerful smile.
Don't only give your care,
but give your heart as well.

-- Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Grinch Kitteh

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Friday Five: Countdown to Christmas Edition

Songbird at RevGals writes:
It's true.

There are only five full days before Christmas Day, and whether you use them for shopping, wrapping, preaching, worshiping, singing or traveling or even wishing the whole darn thing were over last Tuesday, there's a good chance they will be busy ones.

So let's make this easy, if we can: tell us five things you need to accomplish before Christmas Eve.

1. cleaning the house (this is MAJOR cleaning that involves completely rearranging entire rooms of furniture from one room to another -- usually on a different floor.) Why did I do this now? because...

2. I am preparing for my day after Christmas Party in which I have sent over 100 invitations and have hired professional musicians.

3. purchase food and cook for Christmas Day and The Party.

4. mail my Amazon packages.

5. oh,yeah -- and finish all those bulletins and sermons and stuff.

Oops... 6. Decorate for Christmas.

We now have a tree with lights and icicle lights on the front porch. Decorating may be minimal this year.

So : musings and morning prayer

I am going to have something appear in the UM Reporter. But it won't be me, but my kitchy Last Supper Lunchbox Communion Kit. A means of grace in a very mundane container -- but isn't that all the means of grace?



At your feet, O Christ, we lay
your own gift of this new day;
Doubt of what it holds in store
Makes us crave your aid the more;
Even in a time of loss,
Mark, it Savior, with your Cross.

Yes, we would your Word embrace,
Live each moment on your grace,
All ourselves to you consign,
Fold up all our wills in yours,
Think, and speak, and do, and be
Simply that which pleases you.
--William Bright

1	I love you, O LORD my strength, * O LORD my stronghold, my crag, and my haven.
2	My God, my rock in whom I put my trust, * my shield, the horn of my salvation, and my refuge; you are worthy of praise.
3	I will call upon the LORD, * and so shall I be saved from my enemies.

-- Psalm 18

Luke 24:36-43

36And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 37But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. 38And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? 39Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. 40And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet. 41And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? 42And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. 43And he took it, and did eat before them.

Lord
Sometimes Communion feels so much like Last Supper
That I want to celebrate First Breakfast with you -- eating fish and honeycomb.
Let me not dwell on things past,
But on thing here and now and
Hope with expectant heart for those things to come.
I pray in your Son's Holy Name,
Amen.

(note: my husband and I often joke about start a new church called "The Church of the First Breakfast" and eat together broiled fish and honeycomb.)

Beam Her up, Scottie.

Majel Roddenberry, "First Lady of Star Trek," Dies at 76 in her home in Bel-Air.

Christmas Carol Possum

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Thursday Theremin Posting -- O Christmas Tree

Oddity of the Day -- Crematorium Heat to be Used to Heat Crematorium

in Halmstead. Story here. The plan is that one day the heat will be used to heat the whole town. I suppose it' a good thing that the energy won't go to waste -- very green idea. Solyent Green, that is.

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bah humbug

I'm in a bah humbug frame of mind. I JUST purchased our tree for way too much money. We've never had an artificial tree; we usually cut our own tree the weekend after Thanksgiving, but we had sick kids. Somehow, we just never got around to it.

Then it occurred to me that this tree will be shredded into mulch in about a week and a half. And then I thought that maybe I should just give the recycling man dollar bills to shred and cut out all the fuss and bother.

Bah. Humbug.

Wreath Kitteh

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Running so very far behind

I am running so very far behind. I don't have a tree yet. The lights aren't up. No food has been purchased. I'm still cleaning house.

The girls and I watched "Girl TV" yesterday -- specifically, Chaos' third birthday party. The kids were amazed at how little they were -- I was amazed at how clean the house was. How on earth did this house get so very ... messy? We have indeed inherited a couple of households of stuff -- but REALLY! My year (or year and a half) of stuff reduction has helped, but the process isn't over yet. The girls' rooms will look amazing by the end of the month (JC Penney is still shipping various things) and my room will be almost complete, but the sewing room is HORRIBLE. The living areas are a total wreck right now.

I am about a month behind of where I wanted to be, so here's some pics from Thanksgiving:

I call these "Inept Southerners Trying To Have A Snowball Fight"









This is Aunt Susie's cat -- isn't she beautiful?


This is Aunt Susie's bunny -- I call this one "I can haz bunni plse?"


This is a log cabin in Fairmont, WV. I like the buttercream colored chinking. It has been continually occupied for more than 200 years. For my cabin, I think I would prefer less chinking.


Small, Medium and Large. I have small under my chin right now. She's a real love-muffin.


edited:
My card/invitations came this morning. All addressed, now I need stamps. Very last minute, eh?

Advent Hymn #16: O What Shall I do My Savior to Praise

O what shall I do my Savior to praise,
So faithful and true, so plenteous in grace,
So strong to deliver, So good to redeem
The weakest believer that hangs upon Him!
How happy the man whose heart is set free,
The people that can be joyful in thee!
Their joy is to walk in the light of thy face,
And still they are talking of Jesus’ grace.

Their daily delight shall be in Thy Name;
They shall as their right Thy righteousness claim;
Thy righteousness wearing, and cleansed by Thy blood,
Bold shall they appear in the presence of God.

For Thou art their Boast, their Glory and Power;
And I also trust to see the glad hour,
My soul’s new creation, a life from the dead,
The day of salvation, that lifts up my head.

For Jesus, my Lord, is now my Defense;
I trust in His Word, none plucks me from thence;
Since I have found favor, He all things will do;
My King and my Savior shall make me anew.

Yes, Lord, I shall see the bliss of Thine own,
Thy secret to me shall soon be made known;
For sorrow and sadness I joy shall receive,
And share in the gladness of all that believe.

Imposter Ornament

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FreeCycling

In the spirit of Stuff Reduction, I've been FreeCycling. FreeCycle is a email list where you post things you don't want anymore and people come and take it away. It's better than throwing it in the landfill and easier than Goodwill.

This week I have FreeCycled:

• 12 bags of books, clothing and toys from Entropy's room
• 3 bags of shoes, clothing and assorted stuff from Chaos's room
• an Entertainment Center I've had for 22 years
• 2 guitars
• 3 boxes of Knick Knacks
• 2 boxes of half-burned candles

Additional I've loaned a friend of a friend a Glider Rocker.

I've been getting new curtains and comforter sets for the girls' rooms and I am having them painted.

Now to get another bag of stuff up to give away --

edited: I've given away this morning an over the door shoe rack, a green makeup case that looks like a tackle box and an old copier. I'm going to scrounge up more stuff... this is actually kind of fun!

Advent Hymn #15: The God Whom Earth and Sea and Sky

The God Whom earth, and sea, and sky,
Adore, and laud, and magnify,
Who o’er their threefold fabric reigns,
The virgin’s spotless womb contains.
The God Whose will by moon and sun
And all things in due course is done,
Is borne upon a maiden’s breast,
By fullest heavenly grace possest.

How blest the mother, in whose shrine
The great Artificer Divine,
Whose hand contains the earth and sky,
Vouchsafed, as in His ark, to lie!

Blest, in the message Gabriel brought;
Blest, by the work the Spirit wrought:
From whom the Great Desire of earth
Took human flesh and human birth.

All honor, laud, and glory be,
O Jesu, virgin-born, to Thee!
All glory, as is ever meet,
To Father and to Paraclete.

Advent Hymn #14: Lo How A Rose 'Ere Blooming

Lo, how a Rose e’er blooming from tender stem hath sprung!
Of Jesse’s lineage coming, as those of old have sung.
It came, a floweret bright, amid the cold of winter,
When half spent was the night.

Isaiah ’twas foretold it, the Rose I have in mind;
With Mary we behold it, the virgin mother kind.
To show God’s love aright, she bore to us a Savior,
When half spent was the night.

The shepherds heard the story proclaimed by angels bright,
How Christ, the Lord of glory was born on earth this night.
To Bethlehem they sped and in the manger they found Him,
As angel heralds said.

This Flower, whose fragrance tender with sweetness fills the air,
Dispels with glorious splendor the darkness everywhere;
True Man, yet very God, from sin and death He saves us,
And lightens every load.

O Savior, Child of Mary, Who felt our human woe,
O Savior, King of glory, Who dost our weakness know;
Bring us at length we pray, to the bright courts of heaven,
And to the endless day!

2nd Degree Black Belts

I should post my Advent Hymns, but I post this instead. Chaos and Entropy tested today for 2nd Degree Black Belts in Tang Soo Do Mu Duk Kwan (and we are pretty sure they passed..)


Entropy breaking boards. What you don't see here is that each are holding TWO boards -- they are doubled.


Chaos doing some awesome kicking break. Her boards are thicker and doubled. She sent the third set of boards spinning off into the studio, as they didn't just break, they splintered into pieces.


Master Long, Grandmaster Kwan, Black Belts, including those who just got their first belt. Only three were testing for 2nd degree and only 5 in the picture are 3 degree or higher. I don't know the statistics, but I know that many kids start this, but few obtain a black belt. Of those who obtain a black belt, only a few go on and get a first or second degree. Chaos is only a handful in her school who train and who have a black belt; she may be the only 2nd degree in her school of 3500. I am proud of them!

Advent Hymn #13: Lo He Comes With Clouds Descending

Lo! He comes with clouds descending,
Once for favored sinners slain;
Thousand thousand saints attending,
Swell the triumph of His train:
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
God appears on earth to reign.

Every eye shall now behold Him
Robed in dreadful majesty;
Those who set at naught and sold Him,
Pierced and nailed Him to the tree,
Deeply wailing, deeply wailing,
Shall the true Messiah see.

Every island, sea, and mountain,
Heav’n and earth, shall flee away;
All who hate Him must, confounded,
Hear the trump proclaim the day:
Come to judgment! Come to judgment!
Come to judgment! Come away!

Now redemption, long expected,
See in solemn pomp appear;
All His saints, by man rejected,
Now shall meet Him in the air:
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
See the day of God appear!

Answer Thine own bride and Spirit,
Hasten, Lord, the general doom!
The new Heav’n and earth t’inherit,
Take Thy pining exiles home:
All creation, all creation,
Travails! groans! and bids Thee come!

The dear tokens of His passion
Still His dazzling body bears;
Cause of endless exultation
To His ransomed worshippers;
With what rapture, with what rapture
Gaze we on those glorious scars!

Yea, Amen! let all adore Thee,
High on Thine eternal throne;
Savior, take the power and glory,
Claim the kingdom for Thine own;
O come quickly! O come quickly!
Everlasting God, come down!

Advent Hymn #12: Come Ye Children of the Lord

Come, ye children of the Lord,
Let us sing with one accord,
Let us raise a joyful strain
To our Lord, Who soon will reign
On this earth, when it shall be
Cleansed from all iniquity;
When all men from sin will cease,
And will live in love and peace.

O, how joyful it will be
When our Savior we shall see!
When in splendor He’ll descend,
Then all wickedness shall end.
O what songs we then will sing
To our Savior, Lord and King!
O what love will then bear sway,
When our fears shall flee away!

All arrayed in spotless white,
We will dwell ’mid truth and light.
We will sing the songs of praise;
We will shout in joyous lays.
Earth shall then be cleansed from sin.
Every living thing therein
Shall in love and beauty dwell;
Then with joy each heart will swell.

Link Love -- Oogy the Dog -- I cried.

I received this link in email this afternoon. This is a truly inspirational story. First, the fact that as their beloved cat Buzzy lay dying, they found love again in a very ugly and needy dog -- that is grace.

And the final line --
'I realized then that Oogy probably did not know he had not died and gone to heaven. So I told him. I said, "Listen pal. It only gets better after this."'

What a word of encouragement -- how that speaks of what I believe of the Kingdom. It is already and not yet. May we bring about the Kingdom just a little more this Christmas.

Sick and at Home

watching numb3rs on Netflix.

I could get some hot chocolate, too. But I think we would all still feel bad.

Edited: I am fascinated with this program, even though sometimes the Math seems, well, contrived. I am just a fascinated with the Eppes' house. It is a stunning example of Arts and Crafts design. Here are a few examples.


The Exterior


The Inglenook

A quick internet search reveals it as the West Adams house -- there is even a LA Times article about it. Gorgeous. Stunning.

Refocusing

I have been sick this week. The LH has been sick for a long time -- maybe 5 weeks? Entropy was next -- she's been under the weather since just before Thanksgiving with strep throat. Chaos may have mono -- the doctor is 90 percent sure, just waiting for the blood test.

This makes me refocus. I have had a bunch of things on my "to do list." Some of them have been there for quite a while. I've gotten a lot of them done ... but when things happen, when people get sick -- it causes me to refocus. Why am I doing this or that? What is the purpose? What is really important?

There are two time in the year that make me refocus -- Advent and Lent. They used to be both penitential seasons; times to reflect on sins of omission and sins of commission. Now Advent seems more of a refocusing time, where it's not as much a time to reflect on me and my stuff -- but a time to reflect on how I might make room for the Baby. How can I make space for the incarnation? This is internal, liminal and external -- within myself, within my relationships with others and in the world.

I have been on a journey this last year or so of Purging. The great purge is continuing -- we hit Entropy's room this week and gave away 12 or so large black garbage bags of clothing, toys, stuffed animals and books. Why should we hoard it when others could use it? The person who received the bags was appreciative -- she's taking care of a crop of foster kids and all of it will be used one way or another. This feels good. I gave another bag of clothing to my sister who will use them. This feels good, too. I have given away two guitars, 5o+ movies on VHS, books, more books, knick-knacks and some of my clothing. I am feeling lighter. I am basking in the light.

I am still moving through Purgation; I am resting a while in the Illumination; perhaps Union will be next -- I thought of them as individual stages for so long. Perhaps they exists simultaniously. Perhaps I shouldn't wait for complete Purgation before I can find Illumination.

The true light, which enlightens everyone, is coming into the world. (John 1:9) Let us make room in our hearts for the Baby.

edited: She definitely has mono. So she's home until after Christmas. At least she can get some rest and study for all those finals she's missing.

Advent Hymn #11: To a Maid Engaged to Joseph

To a maid engaged to Joseph, the angel Gabriel came.
“Fear not,” the angel told her, “I come to bring good news,
Good news I come to tell you, good news, I say, good news.

“For you are highly favored by the God the Lord of all,
Who even now is with you. You are on earth most blest,
You are most blest, most blessèd, God chose you, you are blest!”

Advent Hymn #10: Hail to the Lord's anionted

Hail to the Lord’s anointed, great David’s greater Son!
Hail in the time appointed, His reign on earth begun!
He comes to break oppression, to set the captive free;
To take away transgression and rule in equity.

He comes in succor speedy to those who suffer wrong;
To help the poor and needy, and bid the weak be strong;
To give them songs for sighing, their darkness turn to light,
Whose souls, condemned and dying, were precious in His sight.

By such shall He be fearèd while sun and moon endure;
Beloved, obeyed, reverèd; for He shall judge the poor
Through changing generations, with justice, mercy, truth,
While stars maintain their stations, or moons renew their youth.

He shall come down like showers upon the fruitful earth;
Love, joy, and hope, like flowers, spring in His path to birth.
Before Him, on the mountains, shall peace, the herald, go,
And righteousness, in fountains, from hill to valley flow.

Arabia’s desert ranger to Him shall bow the knee;
The Ethiopian stranger His glory come to see;
With offerings of devotion ships from the isles shall meet,
To pour the wealth of oceans in tribute at His feet.

Kings shall fall down before Him, and gold and incense bring;
All nations shall adore Him, His praise all people sing;
For He shall have dominion o’er river, sea and shore,
Far as the eagle’s pinion or dove’s light wing can soar.

For Him shall prayer unceasing and daily vows ascend;
His kingdom still increasing, a kingdom without end:
The mountain dews shall nourish a seed in weakness sown,
Whose fruit shall spread and flourish and shake like Lebanon.

O’er every foe victorious, He on His throne shall rest;
From age to age more glorious, all blessing and all blest.
The tide of time shall never His covenant remove;
His Name shall stand forever, His Name to us is Love.

Advent Hymn # 9: Savior of the Nations Come

Savior of the nations, come;
Virgin's son, here make thy home!
Marvel now, O heaven and earth,
that the Lord chose such a birth.

Not by human flesh and blood;
by the Spirit of our God
was the Word of God made flesh,
woman's offspring, pure and fresh.

Critterbit

Critter got out this morning -- she followed Johnny who (against my wishes) LOVES to go outside. Well, I think she's still too little.

Panic followed -- by both myself and Critterbit. She came to the front door just a few minutes ago, all fluffed up and wanting in desperately. She's now under my chin and won't leave. She's also drooling and rooting around under my ear, looking for something to nurse on. Nothing there, cat, sorry.

Advent Hymn #8: Creator of the Stars at Night

Creator of the stars of night,
Thy people’s everlasting light,
Jesu, Redeemer, save us all,
And hear Thy servants when they call.

Thou, grieving that the ancient curse
Should doom to death a universe,
Hast found the medicine, full of grace,
To save and heal a ruined race.

Thou cam’st, the Bridegroom of the bride,
As drew the world to evening-tide;
Proceeding from a virgin shrine,
The spotless Victim all divine.

At Whose dread Name, majestic now,
All knees must bend, all hearts must bow;
And things celestial Thee shall own,
And things terrestrial, Lord alone.

O Thou Whose coming is with dread
To judge and doom the quick and dead,
Preserve us, while we dwell below,
From every insult of the foe.

To God the Father, God the Son,
And God the Spirit, Three in One,
Laud, honor, might, and glory be
From age to age eternally.

Advent Hymn #7: Come Thou Long Expected Jesus

Come, Thou long expected Jesus
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel’s Strength and Consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear Desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.

Born Thy people to deliver,
Born a child and yet a King,
Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all sufficient merit,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.

Advent Hymn #6: Watchman Tell Us Of The Night

Watchman, tell us of the night,
What its signs of promise are.
Traveler, o’er yon mountain’s height,
See that glory beaming star.
Watchman, does its beauteous ray
Aught of joy or hope foretell?
Traveler, yes—it brings the day,
Promised day of Israel.

Watchman, tell us of the night;
Higher yet that star ascends.
Traveler, blessedness and light,
Peace and truth its course portends.
Watchman, will its beams alone
Gild the spot that gave them birth?
Traveler, ages are its own;
See, it bursts o’er all the earth.

Watchman, tell us of the night,
For the morning seems to dawn.
Traveler, darkness takes its flight,
Doubt and terror are withdrawn.
Watchman, let thy wanderings cease;
Hie thee to thy quiet home.
Traveler, lo! the Prince of Peace,
Lo! the Son of God is come!

Advent Hymn #5: Prepare the Way, O Zion!

Prepare the way, O Zion!
Ye awful deeps, rise high;
Sink low, ye towering mountains,
The Lord is drawing nigh;
The righteous King of glory,
Foretold in sacred story.

Refrain

O blest is He that came
In God the Father’s Name.

O Zion, He approacheth,
Thy Lord and King for aye!
Strew palms where He advanceth,
Spread garments in His way.
God’s promise faileth never,
Hosanna sound forever!

Fling wide thy portals, Zion
And hail thy glorious King;
His tidings of salvation
To every people bring,
Who, waiting yet in sadness,
Would sing His praise in gladness.

Refrain

He cometh not with warriors,
And not with pomp and show,
Yet smiteth He with terror
Sin, death, and every foe.
The Spirit’s sword He wieldeth,
Not e’en to death He yieldeth.

Refrain

Day of the Ninja

Today is Day of the Ninja. But unless you look very carefully, you will never see them. Otherwise, they would be bad ninja.

Found here.

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Thank you ASBO Jesus

As found here.

Advent Hymn #4: On Jordan's Bank the Baptist's Cry

On Jordan’s bank the Baptist’s cry
Announces that the Lord is nigh;
Come, then, and hearken, for he brings
Glad tidings from the King of kings!

Then cleansed be every breast from sin;
Make straight the way for God within;
Prepare we in our hearts a home,
Where such a mighty Guest may come.

For Thou art our Salvation, Lord,
Our Refuge, and our great Reward.
Without Thy grace our souls must fade
And wither like a flower decayed.

Stretch forth Thine hand, to heal our sore,
And make us rise and fall no more;
Once more upon Thy people shine,
And fill the world with love divine.

To Him Who left the throne of Heaven
To save mankind, all praise be given;
Like praise be to the Father done,
And Holy Spirit, Three in One.

Children

Well, I gave thanks for my healthy children. Too bad they don't stay that way. Entropy is sick again (for the 12th day or so) and getting worse. She's showing some of the signs of scarlet fever or rheumatic fever. All I can say is "not again!"

Edited: Good news! No scarlet fever! She's having a bad reaction to the antibiotics. The cure is almost worse than the disease.

Advent Hymn #3: Herald in the Wilderness

Herald, in the wilderness,
Breaking up the road,
Sinking mountains, raising plains,
For the path of God;

Prophet, to the multitudes
Calling to repent,
In the way of righteousness
Unto Israel sent;

Messenger, God’s chosen one
Foremost to proclaim,
Proffered titles passing by,
Pointing to the Lamb.

Captive, for the word of truth
Boldly witnessing;
Then in Herod’s dungeon cave,
Faint and languishing;

Martyr, sacrificed to sin
At that feast of shame;
As his life foreshowed the Lord,
In his death the same—

Holy Jesus, when He heard,
Went apart to pray:
Thus may we our lesson take
From his saint today.

Grateful for #32:

(OK, so it's hard to stop...)
I am grateful that my husband was not one of the 350 people that I know of who were laid off yesterday. I am grateful for my employment and my husband's employment.

And my heart hurts for those who do not have employment. My prayers are with them today.

Advent Hymn #2: Arise, Sons of the Kingdom

Arise, sons of the kingdom!
The King is drawing nigh;
Arise, and hail with gladness
The Ruler from on high.
Ye Christians, hasten forth!
Your praise and homage bring Him
And glad hosannas sing Him,
Naught else your love is worth.

Arise, ye poor and needy!
The King provides for you;
He comes with succor speedy,
With mercy ever new.
He Who a beast did heed
Lets not His children perish;
All hopes that man may cherish
He can fulfill indeed.

Arise, ye faint and fearful!
The King now comes with might,
His heart hath long since loved us,
He makes our darkness light.
Now are our sorrows o’er;
No wrath shall e’er befall us,
Since God in grace doth call us
His children evermore.

Haste then, with eager footsteps,
To see your Sovereign there!
He rides as King of Zion,
Strong, glorious, meek and fair.
Draw near the Lord and give
To Him your salutation,
Who bringeth great salvation,
And bids the sinner live.

The King in grace remembers
His loved ones here below
With gifts of royal treasures,
Yea, doth Himself bestow
Through His blest Word and grace.
O King, arrayed in splendor,
To Thee all praise we’ll render
Here and there face to face.

O rich the gifts Thou bring’st us,
Thyself made poor and weak;
O Love beyond expression
That thus can sinners seek!
For this, O Lord, will we
Our joyous tribute bring Thee,
And glad hosannas sing Thee,
And ever grateful be.

Note: I am aware that the lyrics are not particularly gender inclusive. I present this just for your edification and suggest that if necessary, you might change them for your use.

Grateful for #31:

Netflix has their Mac player in Beta!
Yeah!

Pictures I Should Maybe Not Post

Critter is an exceptionally well behaved kitteh. She loves the car. Most of the time she spent either on my shoulder or under my chin or in her bed that we placed on the center console. Not yowling, no scratching, biting or shredding of anything or anyone. No accidents. She loved to look out the windows and watched intently the windshield wipers. A couple of times she ended up under my chin while I was driving -- and went to sleep. (Slow driving with little or no traffic, I will add.) The LH couldn't resist taking a picture.

Advent Hymn #1: O come, O come Emmanuel!

Advent started on Sunday. I've been thinking about hymns. We typically sing Christmas Carols for the Advent season because there are only a handful of Advent hymns in our hymnals. Advent just isn't celebrated the way it used to be. For instance, we now use blue instead of purple because we do not view this season as one of reflection and repentance.

So starting now I am going to blog one Advent hymn a day, with music (if possible) ending with Christmas Eve.

Have a Blessed Advent. O come, Emmanuel!

O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.

Refrain

Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Wisdom from on high,
Who orderest all things mightily;
To us the path of knowledge show,
And teach us in her ways to go.

Refrain

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan’s tyranny;
From depths of hell Thy people save,
And give them victory over the grave.

Refrain

O come, Thou Day-spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.

Refrain

O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.

Refrain

O come, O come, great Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes on Sinai’s height
In ancient times once gave the law
In cloud and majesty and awe.

Refrain

O come, Thou Root of Jesse’s tree,
An ensign of Thy people be;
Before Thee rulers silent fall;
All peoples on Thy mercy call.

Refrain

O come, Desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of all mankind;
Bid Thou our sad divisions cease,
And be Thyself our King of Peace.