3 hours ago
Showing posts with label Music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Music. Show all posts
I have a few fun finds from June to share!
$1 Summer Movies
In case you weren't aware of it, a lot of theaters play older kids' movies in the morning in the summer and charge only $1 for admission. (See this post for a general list, or just google "one dollar summer movies" in your area). The kids and I went to see "Turbo" with friends a few weeks ago, and I'm hoping we can catch a couple of the other movies before the summer is over! Especially having a bigger family, we rarely get to go to the movies because it's so expensive for all of us - so this is one of our best chances to see something in the theater! We don't care if it's an older movie.
Poesie
One of my recent goals is to read more poetry. I have always struggled to find poetry that resonates with me. I came across this app, which makes my attempt at poetry appreciation a little more fun - the app has a daily poem, but it also has a bunch of free poems you can read within the app, organized by author or mood. I actually found a couple poems I like this way! However, the art choices for some of the category covers are a little...um, questionable, so don't let your kids poke around on there.
Colorized Photos
I ran across this album on Facebook, which contains iconic pictures that someone has taken and colorized. Oh my goodness, they are amazing. You know how sometimes you look at an old black and white picture and the person in it almost doesn't seem real? The way these photos are colorized makes you feel like you are sitting right there in the scene, like you could have lived right next to these people. It's just really neat. I especially liked this one taken on D-Day, the ones of Einstein and Churchill, and this one from the Civil War.
Never Grow Up by Brooke White
I am a big fan of JJ Heller's lullaby album, and I know many of you are too. Well, this album by Brooke White kind of reminds me of that other album. The sound is a little different, but the lyrics are still all about memories with children and babies and growing up, with a bit of a lullaby quality to some of the songs. I found it a few months back, but I've been enjoying it again in the last week!
The Far Country by Andrew Peterson
Another album I've enjoyed this month! Once again, what makes the album for me is the lyrics. The theme of this album seems to be the ultimate destination for the believer in Christ - which is Heaven - and looking ahead to the unseen in faith. I think this is just a nice one to play in the background around the house on a quiet summer afternoon, and I've found it encouraging.
Note: Both of those albums are on Amazon Music if you are a Prime member.
Alma Classics
Some friends and I decided we want to read more classic books together, so we've started a little classics book club. Of course, if I'm going to be reading all these classics, I can't think of a better opportunity to search out pretty copies to add to my collection while we are at it! Unfortunately, the UK seems to have a monopoly on all the really pretty editions of classics, but I will not be deterred. I found a couple of the classics on my list through online used book retailers, and one of the publishers I search for is Alma Classics. They print paperback copies, but the covers are definitely some of the prettier ones available in the US, and usually you can find reasonably priced copies online. Here's the Alma Classics copy of The Great Gatsby, which I recently bought for book club:
Kiddie Pools
This is probably going to make me sound a little hillbilly-ish, but there is just not much that is nicer on a hot summer afternoon (when you have five little kids) than to sit on the back porch in the sunshine, reading a book with your feet in the kiddie pool while the kids play. It's nicer than taking them to a real pool for sure, because they are all right there in front of me so I don't have to worry so much about taking my eyes off them, since I can literally stretch my legs and touch them. Nothing bad is going to happen if I read for a few minutes, because they are two feet from me. But we still get the benefit of water!
Chirp Books
This is a new audiobook deal website! I found out about it early, because I am also signed up for BookBub's ebook deal emails. They have some good audiobook deals on here though, and a few different titles that I am interested in! I'm just sitting on it for now while I think about which ones I should consider buying, but I figured I'd share with my fellow audiobook-lovers in the meantime.
Do you have any good finds from June? Please share!
Christmas time is HERE! It's December. No one can deny it anymore!
I am right on schedule with my Christmas preparation plan this year - which means I'm pretty much done! I have a few presents left to wrap, but other than that December is looking free and clear. I am looking forward to having a little free time to do some Christmas-y things with my kiddos and to work on my personal advent traditions, because all the Christmas "have-to's" are done!
Now, you may notice that my playlist does not include any Christmas classics, like "Silent Night" or "Away In A Manger". And the reason for that is that I think we all have our own favorite versions of those classic songs. We've probably also heard about every other version of them that there is and still we prefer our favorite versions. So I'm not including any of those. All of these songs are either original Christmas songs, or very old songs that you really don't hear that much anymore.
My Christmas music style...I like clear, meaningful lyrics; catchy melodies; and maybe a smidge of twang. So this playlist includes songs from several genres, including country, pop, and indie sounds. I even have a couple songs with a gospel flair to them (just give them a try, you might like it!). In other words, don't expect a consistent musical style to this playlist.
What you CAN expect from this playlist are lyrics that are either directly about Jesus and His birth, or take the Christmas fun we all love and artfully point you back to the true meaning of Christmas. I've got fun songs and contemplative songs, and I don't guarantee that all of them are perfectly historically or theologically correct for you sticklers out there. But I do think each song in it's own way will point your thoughts back to Christ - and that's the whole point of an advent playlist, right? At least to me.
So turn on the Christmas lights, grab some hot chocolate, and enjoy these songs with whatever other advent tradition you may have! I think I'm going to listen while I enjoy coloring this Christmas coloring book.
Let the Christmas season begin!
What are some of your favorite Christ-centered Christmas songs?
(P.S. Also, don't forget to check out the photography course Black Friday deal I posted last week - it's good until tomorrow!)
What are some of your favorite Christ-centered Christmas songs?
(P.S. Also, don't forget to check out the photography course Black Friday deal I posted last week - it's good until tomorrow!)
First of all, in case you missed it, congratulations to Brittney Galloway at Far More Than Rubies - she just announced that she and her hubby are going to have a baby! I'm so happy for you Brittney, I know you're going to make a wonderful mom!
Thought I'd better throw the above paragraph in there, because if you're anything like me and get way behind in your Google reader, you may have missed it! And it's super exciting news - very happy for you, Friend!
On to the regularly scheduled programming . . .
I have fond memories of the songs of my childhood.
My sweet mom must have gotten so tired of listening to kid's music tapes all the time. We didn't listen to the radio much in the car growing up - we mostly listened to our children's Bible tapes, some of my mom's Christian music tapes, and Christian radio. My mom was careful to make sure that we were listening to and watching good, pure things when we were young, and I so appreciate her desire to protect our minds now that I'm going to have a sweet baby of my own.
I plan to do the same with my kiddies. I'm sorry, but it just doesn't seem appropriate to be listening to songs about break-ups, hook-ups, drinking, or other bad stuff that sometimes get played on the radio when there are innocent, impressionable young minds listening. Nope, I'm going to constantly suffer through children's music too.
At least these days we have more resources to help us as parents. I plan on burning a couple "child friendly" country music CDs or playlists, filled with nice, innocent songs, and Derek and I could listen to that with the kids in the car sometimes. Plus there are way more Christian music radio stations now, which will be quite helpful too.
But I mainly want my children to listen to songs about Jesus. I want to teach them about Him and His love for us from a young age.
I'm so not up on all the new Christian child resources out there now. But here are some of my favorites from when I was a kid.
The Donut Man. I was very pleased to find out that Donut Man music is still around! It seems like all the really good ones disappear over time. These tapes (well, they're CDs now) are filled with fun Bible-related songs and even memory verses.
I think one of my favorites was The Centurion's Secret song, which told the story of the Centurion soldier who asked Jesus to heal his servant.
I also loved the whole Good Shephard album - lots of good songs on that one.
There are apparently a bunch of new ones too, and ones that we didn't happen to own when I was little, so the Donut Man website will be a good resource I think.
Another fun one is Psalty the Songbook. Just so happens that this one still exists too! I looked on the website and can not for the life of me figure out which album we had when I was a girl - we only had one Psalty tape. But just trust me, these are also good ones (especially the "Kid's Praise" albums - I have a feeling it was one of those).
One year for Christmas we each got a new Bible Song CD. We'd all listen to each other's CDs (weren't we so good at sharing?), and one of my favorites was my sister's CD. She got one of Steve Green's Hide 'Em In Your Heart albums. Basically it's just Bible verses put to music. Even to this day I still remember some verses because of those songs. I think this is an especially good thing for Christian kids to listen to, because it's just God's Word - and His words do not return empty but always accomplish the purpose for which He sent them (Isaiah 55 10-11).
Oh my goodness, Google is a wonderful invention! I wasn't sure I was going to find any of these CDs anymore, because they were made a long time ago - but with the help of Google I've found every one!
This one is just fun. The Rappin' Rabbit tape was one of our favorites as kids, just because it was so different from our other tapes and fun to listen to - but it still included good, godly principles in each of the songs. Unfortunately it appears that they are no longer making this one, but you never know, someone might decide to re-release it someday.
And that, my friends, is my "Bible Music For Kids" resource list. What kind of songs did you listen to when you were a child? Do you think they influenced you even as you grew up?
It's so refreshing to know that most of these are still available to buy. Makes me want to search for other items from my childhood before they all disappear.
Maybe I'll have to do another one of these posts on children's books . . .
Thought I'd better throw the above paragraph in there, because if you're anything like me and get way behind in your Google reader, you may have missed it! And it's super exciting news - very happy for you, Friend!
On to the regularly scheduled programming . . .
I have fond memories of the songs of my childhood.
My sweet mom must have gotten so tired of listening to kid's music tapes all the time. We didn't listen to the radio much in the car growing up - we mostly listened to our children's Bible tapes, some of my mom's Christian music tapes, and Christian radio. My mom was careful to make sure that we were listening to and watching good, pure things when we were young, and I so appreciate her desire to protect our minds now that I'm going to have a sweet baby of my own.
I plan to do the same with my kiddies. I'm sorry, but it just doesn't seem appropriate to be listening to songs about break-ups, hook-ups, drinking, or other bad stuff that sometimes get played on the radio when there are innocent, impressionable young minds listening. Nope, I'm going to constantly suffer through children's music too.
At least these days we have more resources to help us as parents. I plan on burning a couple "child friendly" country music CDs or playlists, filled with nice, innocent songs, and Derek and I could listen to that with the kids in the car sometimes. Plus there are way more Christian music radio stations now, which will be quite helpful too.
But I mainly want my children to listen to songs about Jesus. I want to teach them about Him and His love for us from a young age.
I'm so not up on all the new Christian child resources out there now. But here are some of my favorites from when I was a kid.
The Donut Man. I was very pleased to find out that Donut Man music is still around! It seems like all the really good ones disappear over time. These tapes (well, they're CDs now) are filled with fun Bible-related songs and even memory verses.
I think one of my favorites was The Centurion's Secret song, which told the story of the Centurion soldier who asked Jesus to heal his servant.
I also loved the whole Good Shephard album - lots of good songs on that one.
There are apparently a bunch of new ones too, and ones that we didn't happen to own when I was little, so the Donut Man website will be a good resource I think.
Another fun one is Psalty the Songbook. Just so happens that this one still exists too! I looked on the website and can not for the life of me figure out which album we had when I was a girl - we only had one Psalty tape. But just trust me, these are also good ones (especially the "Kid's Praise" albums - I have a feeling it was one of those).
One year for Christmas we each got a new Bible Song CD. We'd all listen to each other's CDs (weren't we so good at sharing?), and one of my favorites was my sister's CD. She got one of Steve Green's Hide 'Em In Your Heart albums. Basically it's just Bible verses put to music. Even to this day I still remember some verses because of those songs. I think this is an especially good thing for Christian kids to listen to, because it's just God's Word - and His words do not return empty but always accomplish the purpose for which He sent them (Isaiah 55 10-11).
Oh my goodness, Google is a wonderful invention! I wasn't sure I was going to find any of these CDs anymore, because they were made a long time ago - but with the help of Google I've found every one!
This one is just fun. The Rappin' Rabbit tape was one of our favorites as kids, just because it was so different from our other tapes and fun to listen to - but it still included good, godly principles in each of the songs. Unfortunately it appears that they are no longer making this one, but you never know, someone might decide to re-release it someday.
And that, my friends, is my "Bible Music For Kids" resource list. What kind of songs did you listen to when you were a child? Do you think they influenced you even as you grew up?
It's so refreshing to know that most of these are still available to buy. Makes me want to search for other items from my childhood before they all disappear.
Maybe I'll have to do another one of these posts on children's books . . .
Yes, I broke down ad joined the Twitter community. I'm not sure whether I'm excited about that, or a little ashamed of it! I held out for so long, but the final straw came this morning when Laura Ingraham, one of my favorite talk show hosts who has also been skeptical about twittering, joined. I wanted to follow her, so I created a Twitter account. Here's the link to my page; if any of you are on there, feel free to follow me and I'll follow you too! I guess we'll see how this goes.
In other more serious news (in my world), I feel that I have failed in a way with this blog. One of my major reasons for starting this blog was to record what the Lord is teaching me as I try to walk with Him, and I haven't been doing the best job of doing that. I feel like I need to do a better job of using this outlet for the Lord, so I've decided to try to post once a week on something I've been learning in my relationship with the Lord, something He has done for me, any good insights that I stumble across, etc.
Have any of you heard the hymn "In the Garden", by Charles Austin Myles? It's a beautiful old hymn on the sweetness of having a quiet time with the Lord. I love the line that says "And the joy we share as we tarry there, none other has ever known". There is great joy when we tarry with the Lord, and I know I need to do a better job of that myself, not just privately in prayer, but publicly with this blog. So I'll be trying to post a "tarrying there" post every week, probably around Friday or Saturday. That's my goal. And I want to ask you all to hold me accountable there - if I haven't posted something about my walk with the Lord in a while, I give you all full permission to ask me what's up, okay?
I'll finish with the lyrics to "In The Garden". I think they are so beautiful, and they always seem to bring a prayer to my heart.
In The Garden
I come to the garden alone
While the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses.
Refrain
And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.
He speaks, and the sound of His voice,
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing.
Refrain
I’d stay in the garden with Him
Though the night around me be falling,
But He bids me go; through the voice of woe
His voice to me is calling.
Refrain
Words: Charles Austin Miles (1912)
Lyrics from HymnLyrics.org.
P.S. The picture is of a pretty old church that I had to take a picture of when Derek took me downtown for my birthday!
I'm getting into the Fourth of July spirit early! Hence, the fun patriotic background. Just thought I'd explain since it isn't the fourth quite yet. But then you don't need a holiday to be patriotic, do you?
Aaron Tippin - Where The Stars & Stripes & The Eagle Fly - The most amazing bloopers are here
Video from YouTube.com.
Aaron Tippin - Where The Stars & Stripes & The Eagle Fly - The most amazing bloopers are here
Video from YouTube.com.
This is my favorite Resurrection Day hymn, and I thought I'd share it here this morning. He is Risen! He is risen indeed.
Christ the Lord Is Risen Today
Text: Charles Wesley, 1707-1788
Music: Lyra Davidica, 1708
Christ, the Lord, is risen today, Alleluia!
Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens, and earth, reply, Alleluia!
Love's redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Lo! the Sun's eclipse is over, Alleluia!
Lo! He sets in blood no more, Alleluia!
Vain the stone, the watch, the seal, Alleluia!
Christ hath burst the gates of hell, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids His rise, Alleluia!
Christ hath opened paradise, Alleluia!
Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Once He died our souls to save, Alleluia!
Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!
Soar we now where Christ hath led, Alleluia!
Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!
Hail, the Lord of earth and heaven, Alleluia!
Praise to Thee by both be given, Alleluia!
Thee we greet triumphant now, Alleluia!
Hail, the resurrection day, Alleluia!
King of glory, Soul of bliss, Alleluia!
Everlasting life is this, Alleluia!
Thee to know, Thy power to prove, Alleluia!
Thus to sing and thus to love, Alleluia!
Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia!
Unto Christ, our heavenly King, Alleluia!
Who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia!
Sinners to redeem and save. Alleluia!
But the pains that He endured, Alleluia!
Our salvation have procured, Alleluia!
Now above the sky He's King, Alleluia!
Where the angels ever sing. Alleluia!
Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia!
Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!
Who did once upon the cross, Alleluia!
Suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia!
Go to this link to hear the music to the song. I hope you all have a blessed Resurrection Day! Our Lord is Risen!
Christ the Lord Is Risen Today
Text: Charles Wesley, 1707-1788
Music: Lyra Davidica, 1708
Christ, the Lord, is risen today, Alleluia!
Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens, and earth, reply, Alleluia!
Love's redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Lo! the Sun's eclipse is over, Alleluia!
Lo! He sets in blood no more, Alleluia!
Vain the stone, the watch, the seal, Alleluia!
Christ hath burst the gates of hell, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids His rise, Alleluia!
Christ hath opened paradise, Alleluia!
Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Once He died our souls to save, Alleluia!
Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!
Soar we now where Christ hath led, Alleluia!
Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!
Hail, the Lord of earth and heaven, Alleluia!
Praise to Thee by both be given, Alleluia!
Thee we greet triumphant now, Alleluia!
Hail, the resurrection day, Alleluia!
King of glory, Soul of bliss, Alleluia!
Everlasting life is this, Alleluia!
Thee to know, Thy power to prove, Alleluia!
Thus to sing and thus to love, Alleluia!
Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia!
Unto Christ, our heavenly King, Alleluia!
Who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia!
Sinners to redeem and save. Alleluia!
But the pains that He endured, Alleluia!
Our salvation have procured, Alleluia!
Now above the sky He's King, Alleluia!
Where the angels ever sing. Alleluia!
Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia!
Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!
Who did once upon the cross, Alleluia!
Suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia!
Go to this link to hear the music to the song. I hope you all have a blessed Resurrection Day! Our Lord is Risen!
One of my favorite Christmas songs is "Carols Those Kids Used To Sing" by the Statler Brothers. I think I love it so much, because of the lyrics. I had a terrible time trying to find the lyrics to post on here, but if you would like to hear the song you can go to this link: http://www.cmt.com/artists/az/statler_brothers/800209/album.jhtml.
This song talks about kids who gather together before Christmas and go around their town singing Christmas carols to their neighbors. The second verse talks about how one year they decided to bring turkey and toys to a family who otherwise wouldn't have a Christmas. The chorus says:
"Joy to the World!
The Lord has come;
Let Earth recieve her King!
And at Christmas each year,
I still love to hear
The carols those kids used to sing!"
I think there are a few reasons why I love this song. One would be my own memories of Christmas caroling. I've been going to my church since I was ten years old, and every year our church gathers together in mid-December and goes caroling door to door. It was always such a joy to see people's faces light up when we came to sing at their house, and being able to carol with people I love made the experience fun and special. Most of my friends from those days have moved on; one by one they moved away, and they no longer come to our church. However, my wonderful memories of that time will always bring a smile to my face, and this song by the Statler Brothers reminds me of all the fun times we had caroling.
I think another reason why I appreciate this song so much is because I feel like it captures the spirit of the Christmas season. The phrase "The Christmas Spirit" is very over-used in most Christmas movies and cards today, but who actually stops to think about what that means? Christmas can only be meaningful in the true way to those of us who are Christians, and I think the Christmas Spirit can only be fully understood by Christians.
What is Christmas all about? Many people who do not believe in Christ would just say it was about being with family and friends, etc. But as we know, the true reason for Christmas is to celebrate the wonderful gift the Lord has given us by sending His Son. God Himself was born in a manger so that He could eventually die to save us from our sins. For Christians, that thought inspires us and makes the Christmas season something wonderful and special.
And if God did such a thing for us, should we not serve God by serving other people? Doesn't the Christmas Spirit have to do with our joy and gratefulness to God for the Gift He has given us? Because of our joy and gratefulness to God, we show special kindnesses to those around us, and that's the source of the Christmas Spirit, that is so often referred to at this time of year. "Carols Those Kids Used To Sing" is special to me because it captures that true spirit of joy and thanks in a beautiful way, and it reminds me not only of my childhood, but also of the Reason why we celebrate, and it inspires me to do more for others. And aren't those three things really what Christmas is all about?
Take some time to sing some carols this Christmas, and remember the source of the Christmas Spirit!
"Thanks be to God for His Indescribable gift!"
2 Corinthians 9:15
Since it's Thanksgiving tomorrow, I thought I'd post a hymn that I just found. I think it's a beautiful thanksgiving hymn. It's put to the music of "For the Beauty of the Earth" only the words are different, but beautiful just the same. The music was composed by Conrad Kocher, and the lyrics are by Josiah Conder.
O Give Thanks To Him Who Made
O give thanks to Him Who made
Morning light and evening shade;
Source and Giver of all good,
Nightly sleep and daily food;
Quickener of our wearied powers,
Guard of our unconscious hours.
O give thanks to nature’s King,
Who made every breathing thing;
His, our warm and sentient frame,
His, the mind’s immortal flame.
O how close the ties that bind
Spirits to the Eternal Mind!
O give thanks with heart and lip,
For we are His workmanship;
And all creatures are His care:
Not a bird that cleaves the air
Falls unnoticed; but who can
Speak the Father’s love to man?
O give thanks to Him Who came
In a mortal, suffering frame-
Temple of the Deity—
Came for rebel man to die;
In the path Himself hath trod
Leading back His saints to God.
I found this on www.cyberhymnal.org. If you would like to hear the melody you can go to the following link: http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/o/g/t/ogtthwma.htm. Listen to the music, read the lyrics, and remember to thank the Lord for all He has done for us - especially for giving His Son. I wish you all a joyful Thanksgiving!
"Let us come before Him with thanksgiving, and extol Him with music and song." Psalm 95:2
O Give Thanks To Him Who Made
O give thanks to Him Who made
Morning light and evening shade;
Source and Giver of all good,
Nightly sleep and daily food;
Quickener of our wearied powers,
Guard of our unconscious hours.
O give thanks to nature’s King,
Who made every breathing thing;
His, our warm and sentient frame,
His, the mind’s immortal flame.
O how close the ties that bind
Spirits to the Eternal Mind!
O give thanks with heart and lip,
For we are His workmanship;
And all creatures are His care:
Not a bird that cleaves the air
Falls unnoticed; but who can
Speak the Father’s love to man?
O give thanks to Him Who came
In a mortal, suffering frame-
Temple of the Deity—
Came for rebel man to die;
In the path Himself hath trod
Leading back His saints to God.
I found this on www.cyberhymnal.org. If you would like to hear the melody you can go to the following link: http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/o/g/t/ogtthwma.htm. Listen to the music, read the lyrics, and remember to thank the Lord for all He has done for us - especially for giving His Son. I wish you all a joyful Thanksgiving!
"Let us come before Him with thanksgiving, and extol Him with music and song." Psalm 95:2
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