Christmas Song #8 - Veggie Tale Silly Song

As a newer parent I am always looking for fun songs and videos for the Christmas season - and for me - you can't really go wrong with the Veggies Tales so I thought we would take a little hiatus from the meaningful songs to just stop and enjoy a little Veggie Tale Christmas Cookie fun!

Narrator: "It's Christmas Eve, and Larry is anxiously awaiting the 
arrival of Santa Claus with a plate of cookies."

Larry: "Oh, Santa! I can't wait for you to come, I just can't wait for 
you to come, and I've got cookies! Three yummy cookies! Just for you for 
when you come, oh me, for you for when you come ... because it's 
Christmas!"

[Knock-knock-knock]

Larry: "Could that be Santa? Could that be him? Could it be the one who 
brings presents for a cucumber like me, a good cucumber like me?"

Narrator: "Larry is surprised to be greeted not by Santa, but crafty 
bankrobber!"

Larry: "Who are you?"

Bankrobber: "I'm a bankrobber! And I've come to rob your bank, oh yes! 
I've come to rob your bank, and I've come to take your dimes and swipe 
your nickels. So stand back, step aside you silly pickle! And let me 
in!"

Narrator: "Although frightened by the intruder, in the spirit of 
Christmas Larry makes an offering."

Larry: "I'm not a banker ... I have no bank my robbing friend, but I 
have cookies--three yummy cookies. And I don't have nickels, but please 
take this my robbing friend. Eat one of these my robbing friend. They 
are for Santa, but you may have one."

Narrator: "The bankrobber is truly touched by Larry's good will. But 
Larry, although momentarily distracted, is still excited about seeing 
Santa."

Larry: "Oh, Santa! I can't wait for you to come, I just can't wait for 
you to come, and I've got cookies! Two yummy cookies! Just for you for 
when you come, oh me, for you for when you come ... because it's 
Christmas!"

Bankrobber: (Simultaneously) "I'm a robber! I came to rob your bank, oh 
yes! I came to rob your bank ... you shared a cookie--a yummy cookie. 
Though I'd love to take your dimes, perhaps another time--because it's 
Christmas!"

[Knock, knock, knock]

Larry: "Could that be Santa? Could that be him? Could it be the one who 
brings presents for a cucumber like me, a good cucumber like me?"
Narrator: "Once again, it is not Santa who has come to Larry's door, but 
this time a savage Norseman."

Larry: "Who are you?"

Viking: "I'm a viking! And I've come to take your land, oh yes! I've 
come to take your land, and I've come to burn your crops and steal your 
horses. And I've come to ... step on your chickens! And soil your 
quilts!"

Narrator: "Although frightened by the intruder, in the spirit of 
Christmas Larry makes an offering."

Larry: "I don't have land ... I don't have crops, my viking friend, but 
I have cookies--two yummy cookies. And I don't have horses, but please 
take this my viking friend. Eat one of these my viking friend. They are 
for Santa, but you may have one."

Narrator: "The viking is also touched by Larry's good will. But Larry's 
thoughts are still with Santa."

Larry: "Oh, Santa! I can't wait for you to come, I just can't wait for 
you to come, I've got a cookie! A yummy cookie! Just for you for when 
you come, oh me, for you for when you come ... because it's Christmas!"

Viking: (Simultaneously) "I'm a viking! I came to take your land, oh 
yes! I came to take your land ... you shared a cookie--a yummy cookie. 
Though I'd love to soil your quilts, I don't think that I wilt ... 
because it's Christmas!"

[Knock-knock-knock]

Larry: "Could that be Santa? Could that be him? Could it be the one who 
brings presents for a cucumber like me, a good cucumber like me?"

Narrator: "Larry is greeted now by an agent of the Internal Revenue 
Service."

Larry: "Who are you?"

Peach: "I'm from the IRS! And I've come to tax your ..." [Slam]

Larry: "Oh, Santa! I can't wait for you to come, I just can't wait for 
you to come ... It's finally Santa! It's finally him! At last, the one 
who brings presents for a cucumber like me, a good cucumber like me!"

Santa: "I'm Santa! And I've come to bring you gifts, oh yes! I've come 
to bring you gifts, and I've come to stuff your stockings--oh ho-ho-ho! 
And I've come to jiggle my belly. And wiggle my nose ... Hey, wait a 
minute! Isn't that my belt? And what are you doing with my hat? So 
you're the ones!"

Bankrobber: "Wait a minute, I can explain!"

Viking: "We've changed!"

Santa: "Nobody messes with Santa! You know that don't you!? You've been 
very naughty! And I've got a list!"

Peach: "Did you claim that?"

Larry: "Merry ... Christmas!"

Christmas Series #7 - This is all I have to give

Most songs at Christmas time at Christmas time focus on Jesus - which is how it should be, many focus on Mary, some on the shepherds and the wisemen, but very few focus on Joseph.  What a faithful trusting God to risk ridicule, and to trust that the child Mary was carrying truly was the Son of God!  I imagine that was big shoes to fill - to be the earthly Father of your own Heavenly Father.... I can't imagine.  I know how much my husband worries about wanting our little one to know and follow God, to do the right things to point her to God - I guess Jesus didn't need pointed to God since he was God himself, but Joseph I am sure did have some unspoken worries that he might mess up and not do the right thing!

Take Time today - to thank the men in your life who have encouraged you in your relationship with your heavenly Father!

I'd always dreamed I'd build a cradle we'd lay you in when we brought you home, when we brought you home,
But there you lay, fast asleep in a feed through; it was all that I could find.

I'd always hoped you'd have my eyes, maybe a little bit of the skill of my hands,
But, as I look into your eyes, I see your hands created mine.

This is all I have to give,
You can share my home and bear my name, but this is not how you should live,
The son of God has become the son of man - this is all I have to give.

I'd always thought about I'd teach you how to build your first chair, and how to treat your mum, your lovely mum,
And how to explain the reckless love of God to your simple mind,
What can I offer you, my son, when you're the living, breathing proof of everything I hoped could possibly be true?

This is all I have to give,
You can share my home and bear my name, but this is not how you should live,
And the son of God has become the son of man, and this is all I have to give.

Why couldn't God have chosen another man?
How can I lead this family...lead when I don't understand?
How can I take the place of your Dad, when I cannot explain even how you came to be?
My sweet Jesus, my baby boy.

This is all I have to give,
You can share my home and bear my name, but this is not how you should live,
The son of God has become the son of man, the glory of God taking the form of man,
May the grace of God shine upon this man, 'cause this is all I have to give.

Christmas Song #6 - Hallelujah

Can you imagine holding Jesus in your arms.... I can't even imagine how overwhelming, yet comforting that would be!  This is a song by Barlow Girl - written as if she was Mary was singing these words to her Son Jesus.

Reflecting on what that would have been like.... wow that's all I can say!

Hmm, my babyHeaven sent You to meAll the world's been prayingWho will save?
But who am I?That here tonightI hold the oneWho'll bring us life
Hallelujah, we've been foundA child is born to save us nowHallelujah, light has comeA Savior who will set us freeA promise for those who believe
Do You hear the AngelsSing for You, my baby?Men and kings haveCome to bow to You
But here in my armsSo close to meThe son of GodNow all can see
Hallelujah, we've been foundA child is born to save us nowJesus Hallelujah, light has comeA Savior set us free
So praise to God on highHe has heard our cry

Christmas Series #5 - I Celebrate the Day

A few days ago I asked a group of my Youth Ministry friends to share their favorite Christmas songs.... this song came up numerous times thanks to my friends David Nicodemus and Wayne Yeager!

The song starts almost with a confession that it is once again Christmas and I feel as though I am not as far in my spiritual journey that I had planned to be when the new year began.... boy can I relate to that.  Each year I say I am going to read my bible I am going to pray more, and always feel as though I fail miserably.... then a change of focus, the singer takes his eyes off himself and his failures and begins to ask the question - "the first time that you opened your eyes, did you realize that you would be my savior"  To think of Jesus thinking of me even as a infant... is it possible - I am sure not by human standards (though it is always interesting to wonder what infants are thinking about when you sit and rock them) but by God standards all things are possible - even an infant God thinking of even me.

Praising God that he was born to die just for me!  Do you know about that love and sacrifice?  If not, this year at Christmas would be a great time to receive the greatest gift!  Eternal life through a relationship with Jesus Christ.

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 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

Christmas #4 - Christmas Cannon

Last year I was introduced to the Trans Siberian Orchestra for the first time by none other than Michael Hummel (the most unsuspecting TSO fan!)  I was blown away - wow!  So when I find music that makes me say wow - it just is another reminder that this season is a time to say WOW!  There are few words to this song, simple, yet that is it a simple message!  A baby, a manger, a savior!  As I watch the children singing it is also fun to think that one day my little girl my little girl may be one in a choir standing and singing praises to God!  Sit back and relax to the music of TSO!

Merry Christmas 
Merry Christmas 
Merry Christmas 
Merry Christmas 


[2.] 
The joy that he brings 
The joy that he brings 
The joy that he brings 
The joy that he brings 

[Together] 
Brings... 
[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/t/trans_siberian_orchestra/christmas_canon.html ]
[1.] 
This night 
We pray 
Our lives 
Will show 
This dream 
He had 
Each child 
Still knows 


[2.] 
We are waiting 
We have not forgotten 

[3.] 
On this night 
On this night 
On this very Christmas night

Christmas Day #3 - Christmas Offering

Just as the wisemen followed the star in order to brings gifts to the king, we are also to bring an offering to Jesus - our worship!  As I think about the Christmas season, I often get caught up in all the good things of the season and miss the great thing, taking time to bow before the King and Kings and worship.  Don't miss the King in the midst of the chaos this holiday season - take time to worship the King.

Over the skies of Bethlehem appeared a star 
While angels sang to lowly shepherds
Three Wiseman seeking truth they traveled from afar
Hoping to find the child from heaven
Falling on their knees they bow before the humble Prince of Peace

We bring an offering of worship to our King
No one on earth deserves the praises that we sing
Jesus may you receive the honor that you're due
O Lord I bring an offering to you

The sun cannot compare to the glory of your love
There is no shadow in your presence
No mortal man would dare to stand before your throne
Before the Holy One of heaven
It's only by Your blood
It's only through Your mercy
Lord, I come

I bring an offering of worship to my King
No one on earth deserves the praises that I sing
Jesus, may you receive the honor that you're due
O Lord, I bring an offering to you

We bring an offering to you
We are an offering to you
We are an offering to you, Jesus

We are an offering of worship to our King
No one on earth deserves the praises that we sing
Jesus, may you receive the honor that you're due
O Lord, we bring an offering to you

O Lord, we bring an offering to you

We bring an offering to you
We are an offering to you
We are an offering to you 

Christmas Day 2 - This Baby

About 14 years ago when I was teaching in Clearfield I was part of a group called Spirit & Truth and we did musical productions.  The first one I recall doing was called Code Red Christmas (or something like that, my memory is going)  Anyway - to this day there was one song in the production that often comes back to me.  This Baby - by Steven Curtis Chapman.  It is about Jesus being a baby - God in the flesh.  Though I understand the concept of baby (not that I have it mastered) I can't even begin to fathom that he was also fully God!  So as you ponder Jesus today as a baby begin to think of the fullness of God and the fullness of man - in baby form!  God has a sense of humor, yet a perfect well thought out plan!

Well, He cried when He was hungry,

Did all the things that babies do;He rocked and He napped on His mother’s lap,And He wiggled and giggled and cooed.There were the cheers when He took His first step,And the tears when He got His first teeth;Almost everything about this little babySeemed as natural as it could be.CHORUSBut this baby made the angels sing,And this baby made a new star shine in the sky.This baby had come to change the world.This baby was God’s own son, this baby was like no other one.This baby was God with us, this baby was Jesus.And this baby grew into a young boy,Who learned to read and write and wrestle with dad;There was the climbin’ of trees and the scrapin’ of knees,And all the fun that a boy’s born to have.He grew taller and some things started changing,Like His complexion and the sound of His voice;There was work to be done as a carpenter’s sonAnd all the neighbors said He’s such a fine boy.But this boy made the angels sing,And this boy made a new star shine in the sky.This boy had come to change the world.This boy was God’s own son, this boy was like no other one.This boy was God with us. This boy became a man,And love made Him laugh and death made Him cry.With the life that He lived and the death that He died,He showed us heaven with His hands and His heart,‘Cause this man was God’s own son.This man was like no other one,Holy and human right from the start.(chorus)This baby was God with us, this baby, this baby was Jesus; this baby was Jesus, this baby was Jesus.

Christmas Series - Day 1 - It's True

This year for Christmas I am taking my love for music and my love for the 25 days before Christmas and I am combining them together.  Each day for the next 25 days I will be posting a non-traditional Christmas song.  It will be a song that has grabbed my attention.  I will try to post a video to go along with the song if one is available. (Please note that not all videos are high quality as it may be the only option available on youtube, but I am focusing on the music and lyrics, and the video is secondary) If not it will just be the audio - I will also try to post the lyrics for you to follow if you would like.  

The first song I will be featuring is by one of my favorite artists, Sara Groves.  It is off her O Holy Night Album and it is called - It's true... it starts with her song - sharing about the angel coming to tell Mary about the child she is carrying.  I can't imagine what it must have been like to hear the news that she hear that day, but more so to be faithful to God and trust that no matter what others thought she knew that God had an amazing plan and He chose her to carry His son, Jesus!  

In your heart you know it's true though you hold no expectation in the deepest part of you there's an open hesitation but it's true kingdoms and crowns a God who came down to find you it's true Angels on high sing through the night alleluia heard it told you think it's odd the whole thing fraught with complication the play begins with  baby God and all His blessed implications but it's true kingdoms and crowns a God who came down to find you it's true Angels on high sing through the night alleluia alleluia, alleluia Oh it's true kingdoms and crowns a God who came down to find you it's true Angels on high sing through the night alleluia

Lift Up Your Eyes

This past weekend I had the honor of speaking at a Ladies' Retreat for the Reformed Baptist Church of Lewisburg, PA.  What a blessing it was for me to be in presence of a group of women who long to know God's word!  Thank you for being so welcoming and encouraging as I shared not only my heart but what God has put on my heart.

The theme for the first day was all about being worn out.  We were looking at the first part of the verse from Romans 12:2 - Do not comform any longer to the patterns of this world.  We live in a society that is filled with over commitment, or no commitment, constant comparisons, and feeling like we never can do enough or be enough.

When we look only to ourself for our strength we get discouraged quickly as we come up with so many excuses of why we can't do or be what God is calling us to be.

When we look out around us we find ourselves in the trap of comparing ourselves to others, looking to please ourselves and others above God.

However, in Psalm 121 it tells us to Lift up our eyes!!!  Change our gaze!!  Don't look down at yourself, or out at the world to find peace, comfort, and direction..... Lift up our eyes and look to God the creator of life and allow him to transform you!

Where is your gaze focused today?  Lift up your eyes to the maker of the heavens and earth!

25 Years Of Ministry at RMC

Sunday we celebrated Joel's 25 years of Ministry service to RMC.  It is almost unheard of for anyone to stay in Youth Ministry that long - let alone at the same church.  I am so blessed to call this man my husband.  I am so proud of his integrity and compassion.  He loves the Church and that is apparent in all that he does.  Take a moment and watch this video tribute.  I know that he is leaving a legacy and I can't wait to see what God has in store for him over his next 25 years of ministry!


Celebration

So What Do You Think?

I have been toying around with the idea of doing a daily blog for awhile now.... I go back and forth.... I have some ideas, but I always wonder - if I go through all the time and effort to write the blog will people actually read it????

So as I have been contemplating this over the past two months with no real answer I thought I would put it out to you the readers to see if there is an interest in the topics that I have chosen and a reader base.

This is what I need from you.... your opinion and/or suggestions.  This is what I have come up with as my daily themes.

Modge Podge Mondays - Writing about anything - ideas, home, family, ministry, events, charities, etc.

Tastefully Simple Tuesdays - I will feature a different product or recipes from the TS line

In the Word Wednesday - a verse and/or devotional for that day.

Thrifty Thursdays - Ideas of how to save time, money, or energy

Family Fun Fridays - Ideas of things you can do with your family, or things we have tried with ours.

So there you have it - the potential future blog found at gripofgrace.com  The other thing that I am planning to do it to marry my two blogs (sounds kinda funny).  I would no longer be using the msbabyandme.blogspot.com - since so much of what I write about can fall under either blog - why not save the time and just combine it.

So here are three questions for you - please comment below or leave me a message on my facebook page.

1.  Do you read blogs regularly?

2.  Would you read or subscribe to my blog with this format?

3.  Which of these topics are the most interesting to you?

Growing With Me - "Mommy Maple Tree"

As a new mom I am constantly thinking about ways to incorporate traditions for holidays and special occasions for our new family. You could call me sentimental but I am okay with that.  You might say that I love holidays.....true statement.  I would sum it up and say I love life and I want to pass that on to my little girl.

This year for our first Mother's Day we planted a tree.  Each year I hope to take a picture of Ella and I next to that tree.  It is just a special little thing that we can do to make an ordinary day a little more extraordinary.

PS - I had a great Mother's Day and I look forward to many more great memories and many more pictures by our special "Mommy Maple Tree".

Bracelets for MS

I am so blessed to have wonderful friends in my life.  One of those wonderful friends is my college roommate Christie Hubner.   We lived next to each other freshman year and had to remain on campus over fall break - we were the only ones left on the floor so we spent a lot of time together and realized that we had many great things in common - such as our musical tastes, our love for the outdoors and our distain for pink (now we both have little girls, so we are learning to deal with that one).  Needless to say that year was the beginning of a great friendship.  Throughout college we would often run together - however she would always say that I was the runner and she was just coming along.  Now the tides have turned and she is the triatholon runner and the fitness guru as I at most times must sit back and walk.

Every since I was diagnosed with MS Christie has made a commitment to walk in the Frederick Maryland MS Walk in honor of me.  I am so blessed by her acts of kindness and her care for me.  This year Christie decided to use her talents as she raises funds for her MS walk.  She has created this bracelet to raise money for MS research.  The cost of the bracelet is 7.00 and all the funds go towards the MS walk.  I love how she chose a simple yet unique design - I have already worn mine several times and I love it!  It is made with orange string which is the color that represents the MS Society movement.

If you would like to order one and support the MS walk - just let me know no later than April 7th.  You can give the money to me and I will be sure to submit it with the order I place that day.

Thanks for your support of this great cause!

SYMC - Wives of Youth Pastor's Group

What a blessing this past weekend was..... I had the honor of working along side a new friend named Dana Schmoyer (which actually does rhyme with Jana - in case you care) to lead the Youth Pastor's Wives connect group.  Connect groups are small groups that are focused on connecting people that are in similar situations at the Simply Youth Ministry Conference in Louisville, KY

During our time together we laughed, we cried, and we shared heart felt stories with one another.... we prayed together and shared hope together.  Although I was one of the leaders of the group - I walked away so encouraged.  I feel as though God is adding "loving on pastor's wives" to my list of passions.  I was blessed to be in such a distinct group of women.

Here are a few things that I learned this weekend about Youth Pastor's Wives....
1.  We often feel alone and desire to have solid friendships - but often feel as though we don't have a place to vent and share our hurts.  We want to honor our husband and not speak against our church so we need an outside friend that can listen.
2.  The church has been both a place of great hurt and great healing....  If you ever find a perfect church don't join it because you will mess it up!  We know that churches aren't perfect but it is challenging when it is a place of such hurt and negativity.
3.  We love our husbands and when others say negative things - we don't always handle ourselves well!  Let's just say that our cat claws sometimes surface.
4.  We love ministry - we may not be able to be there every week for every youth event because we are home with the kids or working our full time jobs, but we are invested even when we aren't there.
5.  We have made great sacrifices for ministry.... nights when our "evening alone" is interupted by a student in crisis.  Days when eight hours at the office turns into 12.  Mornings when it is all you can do to get out of bed because you just spend the entire weekend loving and investing in the lives of teenagers.

Here are some things that may help (as shared during our time together)
1.  Have a date night - even if it is just at your house laying bed eating popcorn and watching a movie.  It is a must!  Your priorities must be God then your spouse, then family.... and then ministry!
2.  Know your limitations - you don't have to be someone you are not - find your gifts and use them and delegate the rest - it allows others to experience a blessing!
3.  Protect your heart.... as much as you want to know all the details from your husband - set boundaries - maybe ask him not to tell you the names of those involved in the drama, or just tell you what you absolutely must know - as detail people this can be a challenge but it can help keep the peace and keep our cat claws at bay!
4.  Set up some boundaries as far as phone and computer are concerned - turn off the phone during dinner.... just one more thing doesn't need to happen during dinner.  Family time is fully present time.
5.  Pray for your husband - specifically!  He needs to know that you love him support him, respect him and most importantly pray for him - ask him how you can pray for him today!

Hope this encourages you!  The weekend was a blast and I can't wait until next year!