Category Archives: Music

7 Quick Takes: Jesus Music, Political Grumping, and Brett’s Blogathon

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7 Quick Takes

— 1 —

I downloaded a Mandisa song. Hades hath officially frozen over. It’s the “Good Morning” song and I got it off iTunes because I love the Toby Mac section in which he starts out going, “Top of the morning to ya ‘Disa!” It got stuck in my head and I finally had to download the song to get it out. I would normally rather have my nails pulled out with pliers than listen to Mandisa but this song is OK even if it has a “Jesus is my boyfriend” feel. Here’s the video:

— 2 —

The song blowing me away at the moment is “Jesus, Friend of Sinners” by Casting Crowns. Casting Crowns does it again in coming up with a song that is completely quotable. I honestly can’t come up with a “best” lyric because it’s all wonderful. The more interesting of the lyric videos is below.

— 3 —

In case anyone doesn’t normally read my blog, I have a cool eclipse pic. My suburb of Sacramento was too far south to get the full ring but I got what looks like a cat’s eye. My parents brought eclipse glasses up with them when they came for the communal birthday on Saturday so I got to watch it staring at the sun. It was quite spectacular and if Jon hadn’t had baccalaureate on Sunday night, we might have gone north to a place where we could get the full ring. Here’s the pic:

The eclipse from my porch.

— 4 —

I’ve had large amounts of insomnia which leads to naps while Daniel is at preschool. I’ve found that if NPR or Airline Pilot Guy don’t manage to put me to sleep, a good episode of old school “Mythbusters” does. Explosions calm me. If only I could get “World’s Wildest Police Chases” or COPS streaming on Netflix…

— 5 —

I’m continuing to be thankful for my pledge not to discuss electoral politics this election season. I’m blown away by the rhetoric from both sides in the presidential, Congressional, and Prop 29 campaigns. Some of it, especially in the presidential campaign, are outright lies. I knew our country was polarized but seriously… get a grip, people. Even if you think someone is a complete idiot for supporting the candidate they do, you don’t have to be rude about it. I wish I could actually do some of my own campaigning but it would really not be good to do as the pastor’s wife. Anything I say/do reflects on Jon and has the significance of Jon saying it which isn’t great because he and I are on opposite sides of the political coin.

— 6 —

The one thing we do agree on is that the “No on 29” campaign is the work of Satan in the form of the tobacco companies. It’s absolutely hideous that those monsters have come into California and are outspending the “Yes on 29” campaign 8-1. I don’t believe smokers have rights. It’s a filthy and disgusting habit and I think it should have as high a tax as possible to discourage people from doing it. I also believe those jerks who drop their butts on highways and streets should have to dodge cars to pick them up. I definitely don’t believe it should be allowed in any public place, especially since I’m asthmatic and cigarette smoke triggers respiratory distress in both me and Daniel. I’d love to make the people who land us in the hospital pay our ER bills. OK… off my soapbox.

— 7 —

Even though Brett’s Blogathon is two months off, I’m working on it now. I have some Pioneer Woman type entries so I’m trying to get the pictures for those while I’m actually cooking them. (I’ll add the text later.) I also need to compile links and such so that I have them at my fingertips for the event. Come check out the fun at http://peacefulwaters.org/brett. While you’re there, consider donating to his adoption fund.

Brett

C’mon… he’s really cute and he needs to get to the USA so he can get some therapy for his cerebral palsy.

For more Quick Takes, visit Jen at ConversionDiary.Com.

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: May 21, 2012

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY May 21, 2012

Outside my window… dark. I think it was hot today — I didn’t go outside until 5:45 pm. Just saw on the news that it was in the 80’s today. This is an improvement over the 90’s this weekend. I hate heat.

I am thinking… that this migraine/neck pain has worn out its welcome.

I am thankful… for my family coming up to celebrate the communal birthday this weekend. (I’m a twin and my brother lives 45 minutes away.) We went to the town festival and the Relay for Life event at the high school. Dinner was a Mediterranean orzo dish and salad. Dessert was brownies that my mom made.

In the kitchen… I made the orzo on Saturday as well as some boxty for church.

I am wearing… navy blue maternity shirt and blue plaid boxers.

I am creating… this entry and a topic list/posting schedule for Brett’s Blogathon.

I am going… to hopefully feel better and less achy tomorrow. Fibro, you suck!

I am reading… not enough these days.

I am hoping… the pain in my neck and shoulders goes down with some ice.

I am looking forward to… a weekend without things to do. There’s also my

Around the house… it’s clean after having company this weekend.

I am pondering… various ways to publicize Brett’s Blogathon.

A favorite quote for today… Another song this week — “Jesus, Friend of Sinners” by Casting Crowns. I heard it on KLOVE this evening and immediately decided to get it off of iTunes.

One of my favorite things… my beautiful house panther who decided to settle on my chest while I am working on this. 🙂 Mommy loves her Edda cat.

A few plans for the rest of the week: whatever errands come up and a massage on Friday.

A peek into my day… The view of the eclipse from my porch.

The view of the eclipse from my porch.

Hosted by The Simple Woman’s Daybook

Hymns that Speak to Me Right Now (VI)

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I posted a lot of these (like 5 of them) during Lent and I think this is a series that I’d like to continue.

Our selection this time is “Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty” that is used as a processional hymn/gathering hymn/opening hymn in a number of Protestant denominations, mainstream and conservative alike. The tune is Unser Herrscher by Joachim Neander (composed in 1680 — my taste in hymns settings is “the older the better”) and the lyrics are:

Open now thy gates of beauty,
Zion, let me enter there,
Where my soul in joyful duty
Waits for Him Who answers prayer.
Oh, how blessèd is this place,
Filled with solace, light and grace!

Lord, my God, I come before Thee,
Come Thou also unto me;
Where we find Thee and adore Thee,
There a heav??n on earth must be.
To my heart, oh, enter Thou,
Let it be Thy temple now!

Here Thy praise is gladly chanted,
Here Thy seed is duly sown;
Let my soul, where it is planted,
Bring forth precious sheaves alone,
So that all I hear may be
Fruitful unto life in me.

Thou my faith increase and quicken,
Let me keep Thy gift divine,
Howsoe??er temptations thicken;
May Thy Word still o??er me shine
As my guiding star through life,
As my comfort in my strife.

Speak, O God, and I will hear Thee,
Let Thy will be done indeed;
May I undisturbed draw near Thee
While Thou dost Thy people feed.
Here of life the fountain flows,
Here is balm for all our woes.
(HT: Net Hymnal)

I love it. because it totally describes the way we should be as we head into Mass/worship/prayer: open to hearing God’s voice with the realization that God is present.

I’m amazed that I found this on YouTube but there *is* a video. Woo. It’s from the installation of a bishop in the ELCA so they have the phatty organ and handbells with a sweet choir. You’ll see women processing in wearing their stoles — the ELCA ordains women as pastors. The last man in the procession who is tall/thin/bearded is Bishop Mark Hanson, the presiding bishop of the ELCA. I actually *like* this particular YouTube video because it shows us Lutherans doing church music well. The congregation is singing in addition to the choir and handbells, which is how I think hymns should be done.

…

OK… WordPress apparently hates me tonight so click here to see it.

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: May 14, 2012

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY May 14, 2012

Outside my window… sunny and hot though there’s a breeze.

I am thinking… that my neck pain has worn out its welcome.

I am thankful… for lots of rest today.

In the kitchen… banana bread at some point this week to take pictures for the blogathon I’m planning on Brett’s behalf.

I am wearing… black t-shirt and green plaid boxers.

I am creating… this entry and a list of topics for Brett’s blogathon.

I am going… to curl up in the recliner and ice my neck once I’m done with this.

I am wondering… why Daniel is so grumpy right now.

I am reading… still on Style, Sex, and Substance ed. by Hallie Lord. The problem is that I kept forgetting to charge my NOOK which is the format in which I have the book.I did read a quickie murder mystery this weekend though — Southern Ghost by Carolyn Hart which was pretty good.

I am hoping… my neck stops misbehaving soon. It’s been almost 2 weeks of pain.

I am looking forward to… my birthday on Saturday.

Around the house… Jon did all the dishes as a Mother’s Day present to me.

A favorite quote for today… how about a song? I’m fond of the alternate title of this one — “Like A Lion”!

One of my favorite things… Daniel snuggling with me yesterday and playing clapping games.

A few plans for the rest of the week: WIC either tomorrow or Wednesday, Strawberry Festival and my birthday on Saturday.

Hosted by The Simple Woman’s Daybook

An Easter Hymn

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A story regarding this hymn: we were at someone’s house for Christmas 2004 and we were having a jam session with their son. During said session, we discovered that you can actually sing “Jingle Bells” to the tune used for this hymn (“Noel Nouvelet”, a 15th century French carol). We had a parishioner who HATED this particular hymn so we were only allowed to sing it ONCE at Easter and the three of us couldn’t look at each other as we sang it because we knew we’d laugh.

Now the green blade rises from the buried grain,
Wheat that in the dark earth many years has lain;
Love lives again, that with the dead has been:
Love is come again, like wheat that springs up green.

In the grave they laid Him, Love Whom we had slain,
Thinking that He??d never wake to life again,
Laid in the earth like grain that sleeps unseen:
Love is come again, like wheat that springs up green.

Up He sprang at Easter, like the risen grain,
He that for three days in the grave had lain;
Up from the dead my risen Lord is seen:
Love is come again, like wheat that springs up green.

When our hearts are saddened, grieving or in pain,
By Your touch You call us back to life again;
Fields of our hearts that dead and bare have been:
Love is come again, like wheat that springs up green.
(HT: NetHymnal)

The hymn sung by choristers at Ely Cathedral:

What I’ve Learned This Lent

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This would have been up sooner but I spent much of yesterday evening in the Pediatric ER at UCD Medical Center with Daniel after he suffered a febrile seizure. (Translation: he spiked a fever really quickly and it triggered a seizure.) I was telling the paramedics that it was ironic that I was in an ambulance because I’d been in one three years earlier when they were having to transfer me to Great Falls to have my emergency c-section.

So… this is what I’ve learned this Lent:

[+] My taste in worship music is not strictly Protestant. It might be that I have more Catholic readers than Protestant these days but a lot of my Catholic friends liked my favorite hymns and worship songs or had some interesting commentary on them. I shouldn’t be surprised because some of those hymns are pretty universal but some of it did surprise me in a good way.

[+] I really need to get a subscription to Sojourners magazine. I could seriously write pages of commentary on every article that appears on my Facebook wall or in my email. It’s wonderful to find like-minded people and a like-minded publication because I seem to defy all labels as to what kind of Christian I am.

[+] I get by with a little help from my friends. It’s been a Lent full of humbling myself and asking people to pray for me when I knew I was going to be dealing with some really hard things. In exchange, I’ve prayed for other friends when they’ve expressed the need for prayer. It’s been a blessing to pray for others and to receive their prayers which isn’t surprising but still an awesome thing.

[+] I am seriously a broken person. I struggle with jealousy, anger, pride, and trust issues when it comes to my relationship with God. Some of this was blogged out and other things were dealt with over Twitter or on Facebook. None of this is surprising — I wouldn’t be utterly dependent on the Cross if I had the capacity to be perfect.

[+] There is more worship music out there on YouTube than I thought. I had no idea that my favorite Communion hymn was out there or that a lot of my other favorite songs had multiple videos. Such an awesome discovery.

[+] I learned a lot about my faith and how far I’ve come. I don’t think I could have dealt with Daniel’s seizure yesterday if I hadn’t dealt with his traumatic birth and the hospital stay last year. Yes, I was sobbing when the paramedics arrived and when they were loading us into the ambulance. However, I persevered and Daniel is OK.

[+] I learned how completely awesome Tim Hawkins is. Christians need to learn how to laugh at each other and how to laugh at ourselves. Tim does a great job with that.

I’ll post something for Easter Sunday tomorrow but I wanted to do kind of a review here on Holy Saturday.

Good Friday

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I love Good Friday because all the music is 16th and 17th century stuff and I love Baroque. These are my favorite Good Friday hymns. The first one is “Stricken, Smitten, and Afflicted” which isn’t old but I love the Spanish-influenced guitar and the way Fernando Ortega does it. The second one is “O Sacred Head Now Wounded” (also known as “O Sacred Head Surrounded”) done by Fernando Ortega, chosen because I love the way he sets it. The last one is “Ah Holy Jesus” and I love the way they set it (no idea who is recording it) as well as the harmonies.