14 Dec 2013

Hello December 14: Christmas Poetry, ornaments, and the such

by | posted in: Arkansas | 1

Oops I missed posting yesterday. It was a busy day in December, so I didn’t sit down at my computer all day. I had a haircut, errands to run, a nutrition appt with the younger little, then hanging out with my family, then date night with some friends. But, that is how I got the idea for today’s post.
Enjoy the pictures. They were taken at the Old State House Arkansas Chamber Singers Christmas concert. We went with some friends of ours who live down the street and work with my husband. Dinner and a show. The concert was great – they sound beautiful. The OSH was beautifully and simply decorated for Christmas.
One of the pieces the Singers did was done (the music) by one of their own. But, the poetry came from this guy: David Keig. It is called A Christmas Tree. Here is one of the lines. I’ll be writing more on this line later, but this is the line that stuck with me the most from that song:
“with dark green needled memories”

blue ornament kimberlyeric oldstatehouse state house yellow ornament

What Christmas memories do you have around the tree?

12 Dec 2013

Hello December 12: Freedom

by | posted in: Uncategorized | 0

Glory Be

I make it no secret that I have two favorite Christian Christmas CDs: Andrew Peterson’s Behold the Lamb of God and Sojourn’s Advent Songs. I went to Sojourn when I lived in Louisville and loved singing the Advent songs. I could listen to both of these albums year round all the time!
I also have a favorite guitar lick ever – it is found in Glory Be, the second song on the advent cd.
This year, in thinking of the sins that beset each of us, and the reason that Jesus came to earth in the first place, I love this line in that song:
Sing for joy, all the earth, Messiah’s come to set you free.

It is amazing that Jesus, the eternal Son of God, who was the spoken Word of God at creation – came to earth to set me free from the bondage of sin. As Elyse Fitzpatrick says in her new book Found In Him, “He is not shocked or surprised by your weakness or sin.” (pg 30). Isn’t it amazing that this statement is true – and yet God still loves us. And sent Jesus?

What sin do you need Jesus to set you free from this Christmas? Let us rejoice!  And all for His glory.  GLORY BE!

“Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” Romans 7:24-25a

10 Dec 2013

Hello December 10: LaLa Time

by | posted in: Uncategorized | 1

dew

This morning, a cold, still below freezing morning, I’ve already been up three times.  2:30, 4:30, and 5:30.

Then I just decided to stay up and try out Kristen’s Happiness Time – which I’m calling Lala time.  Saying Lala – destresses me.

I don’t know what I’ll do with this time each morning, but I know it will include reading, looking at blogs, and writing cards – and who knows what else.

9 Dec 2013

Hello December 9: Cooking Edition

by | posted in: food | 0

Wow – the holidays are upon us and there is much activity in my kitchen. I’m glad the oven and stove will be on more because that means I can stand where its warm most of the time but not crank up my heat in our home.

Here is what’s planned for this week:

plates

Chicken Noodle Soup: via Tyler Florence
Smoky Grill Rub: via Southern Living for a gift
Peppermint Divinity Bars – via Southern Living (which I’m so excited to have a subscription for)
Nutella Sea Salt Truffles – via On Sugar Mountain
Chai Truffles – via Southern Living
Chicken Spaghetti – for lunch during our marshmallow making
Salted Caramel Swirled Marshmallows – via Bake or Break
Salted Caramel Sauce – via Brown Eyed Baker
Strawberry Margherita Mini Cupcakes – via A Helicopter Mom (virgin, don’t worry)
Homemade Herbed Salt – via 5$ Dinners
Refried Beans for Taco Tuesday: via Simply Recipes and Camille Styles
Curried Hummus: via Heather’s Dish
Chocolate Pistachio Thumb Print Cookies – via How Sweet It Is for the ARWB Cookie Swap on Friday

Here we go. What are you cooking this week, for the holidays, for gifts, for your family? What recipe are you most excited about?

7 Dec 2013

Hello December 7: Loved and Welcomed

by | posted in: Books | 0

Elyse Fitzpatrick has a new book entitled Found in Him. I love the introduction where she talks about feelings of isolation and aloneness and self-condemnation. No matter how surrounded we are by friends and family, especially at the holiday, I think most of us feel that way at some point. Know that no matter how much you make a mess of things or feel like you aren’t loved, or no matter how you spend the holidays, God loves and welcomes you through Jesus.
Loved and Welcomed

6 Dec 2013

Hello December 6: Creatives with Pretty Philosophie

by | posted in: creatives | 0

As I sit and look out my double windows at my home in Little Rock AR, and watch the wintry mix cover the road and driveway in white, I look at these photos with color and the truth of the Season and smile.

I smile because they are pretty.

I smile because they are true.

I smile because I love getting the Gospel into others’ homes.

I smile because I know the artists and they love Jesus and are creative.

I smile because I like giveaways! (and so should you!)

 

kar2 kar3 kar5 kar6 karisse1

3 Dec 2013

Hello December 3

by | posted in: Books | 0

worship

Parties.  Christmas events.  Shopping.  Mailing packages.  Standing in lines.  Cooking goodies.  Wrapping Presents.

Christmas is so busy.

Love what Kevin DeYoung says: (Crazy Busy, pg 54-55)

(Jesus) was busy, but never in a way that made him frantic, anxious, proud, envious, or distracted by lesser things.  Jesus knew the difference between urgent and important.  He understood that all the good things he could do were not necessarily the things he ought to do.

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