Sunday, December 19, 2010

::The First Noël::

"About that time Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire. This was the first census when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Everyone had to travel to his own ancestral hometown to be accounted for. So Joseph went from the Galilean town of Nazareth up to Bethlehem in Judah, David's town, for the census. As a descendant of David, he had to go there. He went with Mary, his fiancée, who was pregnant." ::Luke 2:1-5::

EJ'S COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS: 6 DAYS!

I love the sound of Celtic Woman. Here's their rendition of one of my favorite Christmas carols.


-ej

Saturday, December 18, 2010

::Light-O-Rama::

"His mercy flows in wave after wave on those who are in awe before him. He bared his arm and showed his strength pulled victims out of the mud. The starving poor sat down to a banquet; the callous rich were left out in the cold. He embraced his chosen child, Israel; he remembered and piled on the mercies, piled them high. It's exactly what he promised, beginning with Abraham and right up to now. Mary stayed with Elizabeth for three months and then went back to her own home." ::Luke 1:50-56::

EJ'S COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS: 7 DAYS!

There's a house like this in my hometown that is quite wonderful to watch. If you haven't seen any Christmas lights synchronized to music, watch below. It's even better with snow all around!



-ej

Friday, December 17, 2010

::Two Doors Down::

"And Mary said, I'm bursting with God-news; I'm dancing the song of my Savior God. God took one good look at me, and look what happened— I'm the most fortunate woman on earth! What God has done for me will never be forgotten, the God whose very name is holy, set apart from all others." ::Luke 1:46-49::

EJ'S COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS: 8 DAYS!

Here's a song with a challenge not just for Christmas, but for every day of the year.



"Light Your World" by Newsong

"Two doors down one rocking chair is rocking
She sits there all alone, her husband dead and gone
The best years of her life they spent together
He was always strong, but now she's on her own
And the telephone never rings
No one laughs, no one sings
It's quiet there
Does anyone care?

Light your world
Let the love of God shine through
In the little things you do
Light your world
And though your light may be
Reaching only two or three
Light your world

A knocking at her door breaks the silence
She looks out to see a little boy from down the street
She cracks the door, surprised that he came over
Flowers in his hand like a little gentleman
He said, 'I picked these just for you
I hope you like the color blue
Could I stay a while
I love to see you smile.'

Light your world
Let the love of God shine through
In the little things you do
Light your world
And though your light may be
Reaching only two or three
Light your world

It only takes a little time
To show someone how much you care
It only takes a little time
To answer someone's biggest prayer."

-ej

Thursday, December 16, 2010

::Nine Ladies Dancing::

"The moment the sound of your greeting entered my ears, The babe in my womb skipped like a lamb for sheer joy. Blessed woman, who believed what God said, believed every word would come true!" ::Luke 1:44-45::

EJ'S COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS: 9 DAYS!

My dad loves the a capella group Straight No Chaser, and there is nothing quite like their Christmas music! If you are looking for great Christmas music to put you in a festive mood, look up Straight No Chaser and you won't be disappointed!

This is one of their most famous songs "The 12 Days of Christmas," although that title doesn't quite do this song justice. Listen and just try not to laugh!



I'm leaving off the lyrics to this one, because it's better experienced that way ;).

-ej

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

::Rejoice!::

"Mary didn't waste a minute. She got up and traveled to a town in Judah in the hill country, straight to Zachariah's house, and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby in her womb leaped. She was filled with the Holy Spirit, and sang out exuberantly, 'You're so blessed among women, and the babe in your womb, also blessed! And why am I so blessed that the mother of my Lord visits me?'"
::Luke 1:39-43 (Message)::

EJ'S COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS: 10 DAYS!

If I could sing like anyone, I'd want to have Enya's voice. She has such an ethereal and fantastical quality to her voice that I just love! This is one of her Christmas songs from her album "And Winter Came."



"O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" by Enya

"O come, o come Emmanuel,
To free your captive Israel.
That mourns in lonely exile here,
Until the Son of God appear.

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

Veni, veni, Emanuel!
Captivum solve Israel!
Qui gemit in exilio,
Privatus Dei Filio.

Gaude, gaude, Emanuel
Nascetur pro te, Israel.

Gaude, gaude

Gaude, gaude, Emanuel
Nascetur pro te, Israel."

Beautiful, isn't it?
-ej

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

::The Lord's Maid::

"And Mary said, 'Yes, I see it all now: I'm the Lord's maid, ready to serve. Let it be with me just as you say.' Then the angel left her." ::Luke 1:38 (Message)::

EJ'S COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS: 11 DAYS!

One of my favorite Christmas songs is originally by Amy Grant and called "Breath of Heaven." It's from Mary's perspective and how she probably felt waiting to give birth to the Son of God. It is a beautiful song.

This version of the song is interpreted into sign language.



"Breath of Heaven" by Amy Grant

"I have traveled many moonless night
Cold and weary, with a babe inside
And I wonder what I've done
Holy Father, you have come
And chosen me now
To carry your son

I am waiting in a silent prayer
I am frightened by the load I bear
In a world as cold as stone,
Must I walk this path alone?
Be with me now
Be with me now

Breath of heaven
Hold me together
Be forever near me
Breath of heaven
Breath of heaven
Light up my darkness
Pour over me your holiness
For you are holy

Breath of heaven

Do you wonder as you watch my face
If a wiser one one should have had my place
But I offer all I am
For the mercy of your plan
Help me be strong
Help me be
Help me

Breath of heaven Hold me together
Be forever near me
Breath of heaven
Breath of heaven
Light up my darkness
Pour over me your holiness
For you are holy
Breath of heaven"

May He always be near you to lighten your darkness.
-ej

Monday, December 13, 2010

::Pepperminty Winter::

"And did you know that your cousin Elizabeth conceived a son, old as she is? Everyone called her barren, and here she is six months pregnant! Nothing, you see, is impossible with God."
::Luke 1:36-37 (Message)::

EJ'S COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS: 12 DAYS!

My favorite band is Owl City! I've seen him in concert twice, and his music is optimistic and always brightens my day. Adam Young, the artist behind Owl City, released a winter single recently that makes me almost believe I could look out my window and see a snowy wonderland!



"Peppermint Winter" by Owl City

"There’s the snow
Look out below
And bundle up
Cause here it comes
Run outside
So starry eyed
A snowball fight breaks out
And winter has finally begun

I twirl through the driveway with angelic grace
Till I slip on the sidewalk and fall on my face
This peppermint winter is so sugar sweet
I don’t need to taste to believe
What’s December without Christmas Eve

Hop in the sleigh
And we’ll glide away
Into the night
And we’ll sip on moonlight
Runny nose
My frosty toes
Are getting cold but I feel alive
So I smile wide

The snowflakes start falling and I start to float
Till my mean older brother stuffs snow down my coat
This peppermint winter is so sugar sweet
I don’t need to taste to believe
What’s December without Christmas Eve

All this holiday cheer
Heaven knows where it goes
But it returns every year
And though this winter does nothing but storm
The joy in my heart is ablaze and it’s keeping me warm
It’s keeping me warm
It’s keeping me warm

I rip off the wrapping and tear through the box
Till I end up with 45 new pairs of socks
This peppermint winter is so sugar sweet
I don’t need to taste to believe
What’s December without Christmas Eve"

School is wrapping up now, and I am so excited to go home! Just a few more tests and projects, some packing and lots of cleaning left and then I'm driving to good ole Cali. I hope that you are enjoying your winter and staying warm!

-ej

Sunday, December 12, 2010

::Noël::

"Mary said to the angel, 'But how? I've never slept with a man.' The angel answered, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, the power of the Highest hover over you; Therefore, the child you bring to birth will be called Holy, Son of God.' "
::Luke 1:34-35 (Message)::

EJ'S COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS: 13 DAYS!

I love the song "Carol of the Bells," and BarlowGirl has a version of it mixed with "Sing We Now of Christmas" that is absolutely beautiful! It played on the radio earlier tonight, and I've played it often in the car rides for Christmas spirit. Enjoy and be reminded of the message the bells are ringing out!



"Carol of the Bells/Sing We Now of Christmas" by BarlowGirl

"Hark, how the bells, sweet silver bells
All seem to say, throw cares away
Christmas is here, bringing good cheer
To young and old, meek and the bold
Ding, dong, ding, dong

Ding, dong, and, dong, that is their song,
With joyful ring, all caroling
One seems to hear words of good cheer
From everywhere, filling the air
O, how they pound, raising the sound
Oer hill and dale, telling their tale
Gaily they ring while people sing
Songs of good cheer, Christmas is here!
Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas!
Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas!

On, on they send, on without end
Their joyful tone to every home
Hark, how the bells, sweet silver bells
All seem to say, throw cares away
Ding, dong, and, dong, that is their song
With joyful ring, all caroling
One seems to hear words of good cheer
From everywhere, filling the air
O, how they pound, raising the sound
Oer hill and dale, telling their tale
Gaily they ring, while people sing
Songs of good cheer, Christmas is here!
Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas!
Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas!
Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas!
Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas!

Sing we now of Christmas
Noel sing we here (Noel sing we here)
Sing O, great for praises
To the babe so dear
Sing we Noel
The King is born Noel
Sing we now of Christmas
Sing we here Noel

Sing we now of Christmas
Noel sing we here (Noel sing we here)
Sing O, great for praises
To the babe so dear

Hark, how the bells, sweet silver bells (Sing Noel)
All seem to say, throw cares away
Christmas is here, bringing good cheer (Sing Noel)
To young and old, meek and the bold

Hark, how the bells, sweet silver bells
All seem to say, throw cares away
Christmas is here, bringing good cheer
To young and old, meek and the bold
O, how they pound, raising the sound
Oer hill and dale, telling their tale
Gaily they ring, while people sing
Songs of good cheer, Christmas is here!
Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas!
Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas!
Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas!
Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas!
Christmas!"

Joyeux Noel!
-ej

Saturday, December 11, 2010

::I Celebrate the Day::

"She was thoroughly shaken, wondering what was behind a greeting like that. But the angel assured her, 'Mary, you have nothing to fear. God has a surprise for you: You will become pregnant and give birth to a son and call his name Jesus.
    He will be great, be called 'Son of the Highest.'
    The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David;
    He will rule Jacob's house forever—
no end, ever, to his kingdom.' " ::Luke 1:29-33 (Message)::


EJ'S COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS: 14 DAYS!
 
Here's another video of a song that recognizes the importance of not just Jesus' birth, but why He came. Because of God's masterful plan that included sending His Son, I celebrate the day!



"I Celebrate the Day" by Relient K

"And with this Christmas wish is missed
The point I could convey
If only I could find the words to say to let You know how much You've touched my life
Because here is where You're finding me, in the exact same place as New Year's eve
And from a lack of my persistency
We're less than half as close as I want to be

And the first time
That You opened Your eyes did You realize that You would be my Savior
And the first breath that left Your lips
Did You know that it would change this world forever

And so this Christmas I'll compare the things I felt in prior years
To what this midnight made so clear
That You have come to meet me here

To look back and think that
This baby would one day save me
In the hope that what You did
That you were born so I might [ really ]live
To look back and think that
This baby would one day save me

And I, I celebrate the day
That You were born to die
So I could one day pray for You to save my life."

It takes more than a simple prayer, but that is a good beginning. And I celebrate the day that Jesus was born though most likely not on December 25, but it's as good a day as all the rest to remember our Savior!

-ej

Friday, December 10, 2010

::Christmas and the Cross::

"In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to the Galilean village of Nazareth to a virgin engaged to be married to a man descended from David. His name was Joseph, and the virgin's name, Mary. Upon entering, Gabriel greeted her:
   'Good morning!
   You're beautiful with God's beauty,
   Beautiful inside and out!
   God be with you.' "
::Luke 1:26-28 (Message)::


EJ'S COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS: 15 DAYS!

To begin my Christmas countdown, I'm sharing a video of a song by Go Fish. The world remembers the birth of Christ once a year, but His birth is only the beginning. Jesus was born so that He could die for us. His birth isn't what saves us; His death and resurrection save us from our sin! So as we remember Christ's birth, remember why He came. It's all about the cross.



"It's About the Cross" by Go Fish

"It’s not just about the manger where the baby lay
It’s not all about the angels who sang for him that day
It’s not just about the shepherds or the bright and shining star
It’s not all about the wise men who traveled from afar

It’s about the cross
It’s about my sin
It’s about how Jesus came to be born once
So that we could be born again

It’s about the stone
That was rolled away
So that you and I could have real life someday
It’s about the cross
It’s about the cross

It’s not just about the presents underneath the tree
It’s not all about the feeling that the season brings to me
It’s not just about coming home to be with those you love
It’s not all about the beauty in the snow I’m dreaming of

The beginning of the story is wonderful and great
But it’s the ending that can save you and that’s why we celebrate

It’s about the cross
It’s about my sin
It’s about how Jesus came to be born once
So that we could be born again

It’s about God’s love
Nailed to a tree
It’s about every drop of blood that flowed from Him when it should have been me

It’s about the stone
That was rolled away
So that you and I could have real life someday
So that you and I could have real life someday
It’s about the cross
It’s about the cross."

Jesus' birth is only the beginning!
-ej

Wednesday, December 08, 2010

::Jonah::

"[Jesus] called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: 'Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven...And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.'" ::Matthew 18:2-3,5::

Today during brownbag we watched a video of a little girl (I believe she's 6) telling the story of Jonah. It is so wonderful to hear such a young child tell the story with enthusiasm and sincerity. I don't think anyone could watch without a smile reaching your face. Jonah is not just a story to her, and it shouldn't be just a story to us either. Please take the time out of your day to watch this roughly 8 minute long video. I promise that it is worth your time :).



My challenge to you is that next time you sit down to read your Bible, see the the stories through the eyes of a child and let them come alive! It's not a boring history book; it's filled with real people and a real God who wants you to get to know Him!

May we never tire of reading God's Word.

"For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Hebrews 4:12

-ej

Tuesday, December 07, 2010

::Luck of the Pot::

"Names, once they are in common use, quickly become mere sounds, their etymology being buried, like so many of the earth's marvels, beneath the dust of habit."
::Salman Rushdie::

Just for fun, here's another etymology post! This one is about a fairly common word we hear on Sundays.

Potluck:
English, from the 1592, 1600 in the writings of Thomas Nashe

original meaning: "food provided for an unexpected or uninvited guest", or "one's chance or luck of the pot"
18th century influenced by the word "Potlatche": def. "a communal meal" in the Chinook Jargon, a Native American language
19th century sp. "pot-luck": def. "meal provided by the host"
current definition: "a communal meal to which people bring food to share"

-ej

Monday, December 06, 2010

::Надейся на Господа::

"Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God."
::Corrie Ten Boom::

This is a cartoon written by some of the AIMers, and I found this one quite funny. :) You'll probably have to click on it to make it big enough to read.
 Property of AIM ALUMNI ASSOCIATION from the AIMER HUB BLOG

We are in the unknown time. Some of the AIMers have an idea of where they are going for the field, others have no idea, but all of us know that there are many unknown variables. Where will my field be? With who will I be going? What will it be like? Will I get along with the coordinators? From where will my support come?

Isn't it wonderful to know that we have a God who already knows the answer to all these questions? He's a BIG God, and yet cares even for little me and you!

Next time you have doubts about the future and the unknown, just know that you can trust God. We don't need to worry when He's in charge!

" 'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.' " Jeremiah 29:11-13

-ej

Saturday, December 04, 2010

::Nov 2010::

"Always winter but never Christmas."
::C.S. Lewis in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe::

The link to download my November newsletter: November Newsletter.

If you'd like to receive the newsletter by email, please leave your email and let me know at http://kontactr.com/user/ejtotheworld.

I think I've fixed my blog so that you can comment with being a google member. I have also moved up the Follow button on the right side of my blog so that it's easier to find. You are more than welcome to follow me, and please do comment! :)

Thanks! Love you all.
-ej