Gleanings of Wheat

I'm not a super big fan of Valentines Day - I don't remember making a huge deal about it when I was married, but now that I'm not it's even less interesting...the exception being the vast amounts of chocolate that will be on sale tomorrow. That interests me greatly. But today I'm thinking about the greatest love I'll ever know - God's love toward His children. It is wonderful, and overwhelming, and completely undeserved, but it is there. How He Loves - David Crowder Band: He is jealous for me, Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree, Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy. When all of a sudden, I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory, And I realize just how beautiful You are, And how great Your affections are for me. And oh, how He loves us oh Oh how He loves us, How He loves us all He is jealous for me, Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree, Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy. When all of a sudden, I am unaw...

I've been hearing this song from Starfield a lot the past few days and I've just been super encouraged by it. What mercy was revealed What tenderness and peace My fate was surely sealed Until he rescued me His pardon for my sin His bounty for my need From slavery and chains I am redeemed Chorus: And heaven can’t contain The glory of the son Jesus is the Christ the saving one His love has made a way The grave is overcome Jesus is the Christ the saving one Verse 2: No fear can hold me down Nor darkness steal my joy For blood has been poured out The enemy destroyed Death could not hold him down The cross was not enough To steal away his throne For he is god Chorus: And heaven cant contain The glory of the son Jesus is the Christ the saving one His love has made a way The grave is overcome Jesus is the Christ the saving one And anyone who calls upon his name They will be saved, they will be saved And anyone who calls upon his name They ...

Christmas style. Yesterday I took the kids to Navy Pier's Winter Wonderfest (so expensive, but fun) and when I got home I noticed something in my purse I'd never seen before. A cd sampler from Northern Light Orchestra  (MySpace link). Classic rock takes on Christmas carols? Yes please. This thing is really well produced, and I got it for free! No idea who these guys are, or how I got this, but I'm enjoying it a lot. You can check out their site here .

A few years ago Rebecca St. James was part of a Veggie Tales' project - VT redid A Christmas Carol, but spun it for Resurrection Sunday/Easter. It still wigs my kids out a bit, so we don't really watch it, but in the video Rebecca's character sings a song that has stuck with me since the first time I heard it. This morning as I was praying and reflecting upon Christ's birth the song popped in my head again, so I thought I'd share it. There’s a story that started on Christmas When a baby was born in the night And those who came far, who followed the star Were seeing a heavenly sight ... a heavenly sight. Well the years hurried by, and the boy, now a man Could make the blind see with a touch of his hand He was born to be King -- he was Rabbi and Priest But the best that he had, he gave to the least ... He gave to the least. He was born and he died, almost 2,000 years ago He laughed and he cried, he felt all the fears we know But what does it matter? A...

Last month I downloaded JJ Heller's Christmas album b/c I could get it for free. She's got a wonderful voice, the album is marked with lots of acoustic guitar & piano, and a meshing together of her own words and traditional carols. Anyway, you can get it at her site for free till the end of this month, and I suggest you do. It is a wonderful album. From her site: WAKE UP THE WORLD (2007) **FREE THROUGH 12/31/09** This Christmas EP features a tasteful blend of JJ's voice, Dave Heller's acoustic guitar, piano by Ben Shive, and very light percussion. Recorded, mixed and mastered in Nashville, TN during the summer of 2007.

I found this over at Rebecca's this morning - she posted it about 10 days ago and I missed it then. Love it. Happy Thanksgiving! What Shall I Render to My God What shall I render to my God For all His mercy’s store? I’ll take the gifts He hath bestowed, And humbly ask for more. The sacred cup of saving grace I will with thanks receive, And all His promises embrace, And to His glory live. My vows I will to His great Name Before His people pay, And all I have, and all I am, Upon His altar lay. Thy lawful servant, Lord, I owe To Thee whate’er is mine, Born in Thy family below, And by redemption thine. Thy hands created me, Thy hands From sin have set me free, The mercy that hath loosed my bands Hath bound me fast to Thee. The God of all redeeming grace My God I will proclaim, Offer the sacrifice of praise, And call upon His Name. Praise Him, ye saints, the God of love, Who hath my sins forgiven, Till, gathered to the church above, We sing the song...

I've loved VT since I discovered them when I was 16, now that I have kids it is socially acceptable for me to watch them, but honestly I'd watch them even if my kids didn't want to. At least - I'd watch the older ones. The post Jonah era often lacks something, in my opinion. Anyway, here are a few lyrical samples of why I love the Veggies. Thankfulness I thank God for this day, For the sun in the sky, For my mom and my dad, For my piece of apple pie! For our home on the ground, For His love that's all around, That's why I say thanks every day! Because a thankful heart is a happy heart! I'm glad for what I have, Thats an easy way to start! For the love that He shares, 'Cause He listens to my prayers, That's why I say thanks every day! God is bigger You were lying in your bed, You were feeling kind of sleepy, But you couldn't close your eyes because the room was getting creepy. Were those eyeballs in the closet? Was that G...

Today I'm working from home while listening to a couple Newsboys albums I picked up on Amazon. This morning my alarm played Keith & Kristyn Getty's " Hear the call of the kingdom " when it went off. While I was getting the kids ready I had Sovereign Grace's "Christ the Lord is Born Today" from their Savior album in my head. I'm surrounded by music, even in my dreams there is music. It is a wonderful thing.

I purchased a spiffy ukulele. I love it. I've decided that it is so awesome it deserves a case, but I'm too cheap to buy one so I'm going to MAKE ONE. That's right. DIY post sometime this week.

By Mark Altrogge As recorded on Come Weary Saints Shall I take from Your hand Your blessings Yet not welcome any pain Shall I thank You for days of sunshine Yet grumble in days of rain Shall I love You in times of plenty Then leave You in days of drought Shall I trust when I reap a harvest But when winter winds blow, then doubt Oh let Your will be done in me In Your love I will abide Oh I long for nothing else as long As You are glorified Are You good only when I prosper And true only when I’m filled Are You King only when I’m carefree And God only when I’m well You are good when I’m poor and needy You are true when I’m parched and dry You still reign in the deepest valley You’re still God in the darkest night © 2008 Sovereign Grace Praise (BMI)

Bob Kauflin recently posted a link to a cd that is available from Sovereign Grace Music that features the music performed at Together For the Gospel. I just wanted to point anyone who reads this over there because a few of the songs are free, but even more than that I just wanted to say how much I've enjoyed those free songs. You see, as you listen to the songs you hear much more than just the band playing you hear thousands of men lifting their voices in unison to uplift and praise our risen Savior. I cannot begin to explain how touched I am to hear these songs; there is just something beautiful in it - so many voices singing, I can't help but wonder what heaven will sound like as countless other redeemed saints lift their voices in worship.

God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform; He plants His footsteps in the sea And rides upon the storm. Deep in unfathomable mines Of never failing skill He treasures up His bright designs And works His sovereign will. Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take; The clouds ye so much dread Are big with mercy and shall break In blessings on your head. Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, But trust Him for His grace; Behind a frowning providence He hides a smiling face. His purposes will ripen fast, Unfolding every hour; The bud may have a bitter taste, But sweet will be the flower. Blind unbelief is sure to err And scan His work in vain; God is His own interpreter, And He will make it plain. Cyberhymnal

Thomas Brady performing O Mio Babbino Caro .

Thomas Brady performing Sophia In Paris

Madeleine Peyroux performing Careless Love

More music to eat by, I hope you enjoy this guy as much as I do. The Man Who Plays The Mandolino

I burned the dinner I was going to be posting this morning, so instead of a recipe I'll start off a new feature that I was planning on unveiling soon. Here is music to eat by: Glenn Miller's Moonlight Serenade on Mandolin