Category Archives: Personal Issues

7 Quick Takes: Cleaning Out My Bookmarks from the Last Week

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7 Quick Takes

— 1 —

Worship Music Link #1. I’ve been a worship musician (not a choir member) for almost 16 years and while I like doing “contemporary music” every so often, I really prefer the older hymns. It’s an issue of musicality for me and also that many praise songs are theologically-shallow or inaccurate. Here are a few examples and why we need to stop singing them.

— 2 —

Worship Music Link #2. Here is a fabulous piece addressing why we need to stop singing praise songs. Be sure to click on all the links to understand why it is so wonderful.

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Worship Music Link #3. I found this in the “I’m fed up with bad church music” group on Facebook and I know there are some praise songs I would pay serious money to not have to sing. What hymn/praise song/service music would you pay good money to block?

Block a hymn

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Worship Music Link #4. One of the rants I see online frequently has to do with how the Catholic church has a beautiful tradition of choral music going back 1500 years and yet we have to settle for Marty Haugen, David Haas, and so on. Someone posted the “Glory Pony” mass on there and it’s facepalm-ingly bad how similar the mass setting is to the “My Little Pony” theme.

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Twitter does it again. One of the best things I’ve seen online in the last few weeks is the #ThingsJesusNeverSaid hashtag on Twitter.

— 6 —

For those who love people with anxiety. Those who have anxiety or who love people with anxiety need to read this piece.

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It makes a difference. While I was up in San Jose this month, I was worshipping with my friend Rebecca at my home congregation and I was in the pews this last week at my church here with my VBS music partner-in-crime Margaret. It was a content feeling each Sunday and upon reflection, I think the reason is that I didn’t have to explain what I was doing (standing, kneeling, sitting, singing, genuflecting) or *why* I was doing it as I frequently have to do when I’m at church in Jon’s Lutheran parishes given that my practice of the faith is more toward the Catholic and Anglican part of the spectrum. I’m liking the opportunity to worship with like-minded people and to not be on display all the time.

For more Quick Takes, visit Kelly at This Ain’t The Lyceum.

#5Faves: Miscellanea (XLIV)

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#5Faves

One

Rend Collective. I am seriously in love with this band. Their music is stuck in my mind and right now, it’s actually keeping me going.

Two

Margaret Maron. My mother-in-law was #1 on the library list for her latest book and she gave it to me to read when she finished it. Of all the murder mystery authors I read, she is in the top 3 favorites if not my favorite because I can actually get lost in her books without realizing it.

Three

Air1. Listening to music keeps me sane while driving and Air1 is the local nationally-broadcasted Christian station that I can get down here. (I could actually get it and KLOVE equally well when we lived up north and would switch off when a song came up that I didn’t like.)

Four

Trader Joe’s. The people at my Trader Joe’s are just fabulous and they love Daniel. (Then again, who doesn’t love Daniel that has met him?) I’ll be having some of their chili when I get home.

Five

Iced vanilla lattés made with whole milk. I fully believe that the existence of these is proof that God wants me to be happy. 😉

Go love up Jenna and the others.

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: August 23, 2015

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY August 23, 2015

Outside my window… dark. It got into the 90’s here today which was irritating but unfortunately not uncommon for August. (And yes, I’m seriously praying that Jon gets a call to a colder climate. The Arctic Circle is looking lovely right now.)

I am thinking… about some of the more asinine arguments and statements in favor of homeschooling that I saw on the Web today. I have friends who are amazing homeschooling parents like Dawn and Kelly so I’m definitely not opposed to it (also because my husband was homeschooled); but seriously, some of the crud I read today would be at home on the Sanctimommy page on Facebook.

I am thankful… for Daniel going back to school tomorrow. I’m kind of bummed that we didn’t get to go to Meet-the-Teacher on Friday but it was worth it to get the extra respite time with my parents.

In the kitchen… cheese and crackers because it’s too hot to do anything involving the oven, microwave, or stove.

I am wearing… the black cat nightshirt that my mother-in-law got me here as a coming-home present.

I am going… to pray Compline from the Book of Common Prayer when I’m done here.

I am wondering… how Daniel will do tomorrow with his longer school day.

I am reading… Friendship Cake by Lynne Hinton. I was reading Devoted by Jennifer Mathieu but it deals with the subculture that surrounds families like the Duggars and it just wasn’t a good thing in which to immerse myself at the moment.

I am hoping… the pain in my foot from walking almost 6 miles on Friday will go away.

I am looking forward to… being able to go for prayer walks and work out once Daniel is on the bus tomorrow.

I am hearing… various things on iTunes and YouTube.

A Daniel story for today… he said “mo nanna” (“more banana”) to my mom when she was watching him while I was somewhere last week.

Around the house… silence. It is positively blissful.

A favorite quote for today… “The worship-to-panda ratio has gone a different direction.” — Rend Collective in this video:

One of my favorite things… club soda when I’m trying to beat my Coca-Cola addiction.

A few plans for the rest of the week: PT on Tuesday, a bunch of phone calls, and getting medical records and such ready for a bunch of Daniel appointments.

A peek into my day… I was trying to explain this video to a friend last week. I find it hysterically funny because I’ve attended a church like this.

Post Script…

This is my favorite worship song and very few people outside of the UK or my chapter of Intervarsity know of it.

Hosted by The Simple Woman.

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: August 16, 2015

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY August 16, 2015

Outside my window… dark. It was over 100F in San Jose today which did not make me a happy Jen. We also have smoke from the wildfires in the northern part of the state so it’s not good air for walks with the small child. *makes mental note to go in and record miles walked in the last week on MapMyRun*

I am thinking… about things in the coming week.

I am thankful… for the time with my parents. It’s been a good week with them and I’ve gotten to get together with a few people including Rebecca.

In the kitchen… Dad made hot dogs again tonight.

I am wearing… jammies (charcoal v-neck from Old Navy and black capri sweats from Target).

I am going… to the store tomorrow for more apple juice for Daniel.

I am wondering… about a lot of things right now.

I am reading… The Alpine Yeoman by Mary Daheim for the third time. (2nd re-read this time.)

I am hoping… for resolution in some areas of my life.

I am looking forward to… a mall date with Rebecca to get some Giants socks. I’m going to my first MLB baseball game in a few weeks and it’s at Dodger Stadium so I can’t wear my Giants stuff. Before I even knew about the game, Jon and my priest were negotiating the terms. I can’t wear my Lincecum shirt (which I only have because they weren’t selling Romo shirts at Target) but I can wear Giants socks. I am also not allowed to boo Kershaw or Puig, which I think is completely unfair.

I am hearing… David Wesley singing on YouTube. (He’s a Canadian Christian version of Peter Hollens.)

A Daniel story for today… He’s been taking over closets at my parents’ house and playing with his tablet in them.

Around the house… silence as I think everyone is likely asleep.

A favorite quote for today… “When I pray for another person, I am praying for God to open my eyes so that I can see that person as God does, and then enter into the stream of love that God already directs toward that person.” — Philip Yancey

One of my favorite things… Coca-Cola which is pretty much banned at my parents’ house – my mom got me some one night when I needed “comfort food” (I’m weird, OK?) and she was referring to it as “hemlock”. Whenever I’d take a sip, I would say, “mmmmm… minty!” (According to a murder mystery, hemlock tastes minty.)

A few plans for the rest of the week: drive back down to LA and whatever else comes up.

A peek into my day… Daniel and I in the redwoods.

Daniel and I in the redwoods at Henry Cowell State Park.

Hosted by The Simple Woman.

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: August 9, 2015

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY August 9, 2015

Outside my window… hot. Weather.Com says it’s 86F outside and I’ll trust them on that one. I’m also writing this before dark which is unusual for me; but I’m with my parents for 10 days and am not having to restrict blogging to times when Daniel is asleep.

I am thinking… about some things being discussed in some of the Facebook groups with whom I hang.

I am thankful… to be able to find stations for my listening pleasure on my 8-hour drive north yesterday. I normally listen to my CD collection or books on CD but the CD player in my car is refusing to cooperate. It was a melange of NPR, Air1, KLOVE, and Family Radio (which had some fabulous instrumental and acapella music).

In the kitchen… not sure what we’re having tonight but the Hawaiian pizza from Round Table was fabulous last night.

I am wearing… black “perfect tee” from Old Navy and capris from Kohl’s. My church attire was a top and pants from Kohl’s and Maude shoes from Naturalizer.

I am going… to Target for school clothes for Daniel in the next couple days.

I am wondering… about some things that are due to happen in the next few months.

I am reading… The Alpine Zen by Mary Daheim. I’ll be finishing my re-read and then re-reading The Alpine Yeoman which is the previous book in the series.

I am hoping… for a good visit with my parents and that my doctor can figure out what the Hades is going on with my stomach.

I am looking forward to… Daniel going back to school. Kiddo has been B-O-R-E-D for the last few weeks.

I am hearing… Rend Collective on YouTube singing “My Lighthouse”:

A Daniel story for today… we’ve been referring to him as “Toothless” since he lost the bottom tooth on Wednesday.

A favorite quote for today… “Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons for you are crunchy and go well with ketchup.”

One of my favorite things… pesto bagel with garlic schmear from The Posh Bagel.

A few plans for the rest of the week: park dates, back-to-school shopping, and lots of walking.

A peek into my day… more Rend Collective. 🙂 This one is a song I’ve shared before and it’s called “Build Your Kingdom Here”. I’m seriously amused by bluegrass style instruments, Salvation Army band members, and fireeaters sharing the same space.

Hosted by The Simple Woman.

#5Faves: Miscellanea (XLIII)

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#5Faves

One

Mary and Jerry. Mary of Passionate Perseverance and her “significant otter” Jerry are doing a series of vlogs answering reader questions on how their marriage survived having a special kiddo like Courtney, how they remember her, how they cope, etc. They are hysterically funny together and play off of each other well.

Two

Adam Eichelberger. This is my friend Kate’s husband and he looks like he should be in some kind of punk motorcycle gang. (Serious tats and piercings.) Looks are deceiving — this guy is a Catholic youth minister, a husband who seriously cherishes his wife (he secretly fundraised for a ticket and travel to Edel ’14 last year as a surprise 30th birthday present and was going to be selling some prized possessions to make sure she could go), and an amazing dad. The most wonderful picture of fatherhood that I’ve ever seen was him doing kangaroo care with his son Gus after he was born.

Anyway, he was interviewed on the Building Bridges podcast and I recommend you listen.

Three

Pie St. This is a local pizza place in the Village and the premise of it is the same as Pieology. Basically, you choose the dough and they make your pizza in front of you to your specifications with choices for sauces, cheeses, and meats. Unlimited toppings are $7.99 and they have some classics which are $6.99. It makes for an inexpensive date night for us.

Four

These cards. One of the chicas in the HELLP Syndrome Survivors group on Facebook linked these cards that say “Stop Talking” on them. I kind of want to just hand them out to random people who are spouting conspiracy theories about the government, vaccines, Obama, and the Illuminati.

Five

Mary Daheim. I’m re-reading The Alpine Zen and I’ve requested The Alpine Yeoman to refresh my memory on the things that led up to the latest book. She also has a series of books about a bed and breakfast which make fun of various Seattle landmarks and businesses.

Go love up Jenna and the others.

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: August 2, 2015

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY August 2, 2015

Outside my window… dark. It’s my usual late night blogging time. It was hot today though not completely unpleasant considering it was reported as being 95F. The breezes help.

I am thinking… about the things going on this week and the trip to be with my parents this coming weekend. I’m hoping my car’s CD player starts working well or it will be a boring drive.

I am thankful… that Todd, the newest cat addition in our house, is calm and not growling or swatting at us. Last night, he sat with me even though he was growly. When I went out for a midnight snack, he touched his nose to my fingers and let me pet him. Today, he has been licking my fingers and purring for me. I think he really just needed to know that he would be loved up and have human attention.

In the kitchen… my mother-in-law made pizza from scratch for my sister-in-law’s birthday.

I am wearing… jammies.

I am going… to have to figure out a game plan for Wednesday when the power will be off from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and I have to entertain Daniel.

I am wondering… about how to remove certain food dyes from Daniel’s diet and if it will make a difference.

I am reading… The Alpine Zen by Mary Daheim. I actually finished it earlier this week (I could barely put it down) so I’m re-reading it. I finished Vanishing Grace by Phillip Yancey this week as well and *VERY HIGHLY* recommend it.

I am hoping… that my sleep deprivation feelings cease soon.

I am looking forward to… seeing my family.

I am hearing… the hymns I am listening to on YouTube.

A Daniel story for today… my little monster fell asleep at 7:30 and at 10:30, he walked into my bedroom rubbing his eyes and climbed on the bed where he preceeded to fall asleep.

Around the house… quiet. It’s wonderful.

One of my favorite things… well-done hymns.

A few plans for the rest of the week: PT on Tuesday morning, Daniel’s dentist appointment on Wednesday, and whatever else comes up.

A peek into my day… Today was the “bread of life” reading in the Gospel of John so I thought I’d share one of my favorite hymns.

Hosted by The Simple Woman.