Christmas Music

As we approach the big day, the lights, excitement, and music is all around us.

Even if you are not a big fan of Christmas music, we all usually have at least one or two favourites.  Here are a few of mine:

Steven Curtis Chapman - Love it when someone can use an acoustic guitar and make it sound like this!

Matthew West - So many Christmas songs are slow.  Here is one that is fun and upbeat!

Relient K - So much fun...enough said!

Merry Christmas!

Church Christmas Programs

How much do we love Christmas?  We love it so much that many churches will spend weeks and sometimes months planning a Christmas event to reach out to their community.   My church held one such an event last weekend (Calvary Community Church in Barrie).  From an insider's perspective, it is fun to see hidden talents come alive.  These are people you stand beside in church every week.  Who knew they could play the saxophone, or act, or sing?  Our a/v department is also very creative tracking down videos to add some fun to the night.  This is just one that has been making the rounds for a few years at Christmas programs, but it is fun to watch each year, enjoy!

The Case of the Missing Air Conditioner Cover

We thought we had it all together.  The leaves were raked, the flowerbeds were cleaned, lawn furniture put away, and the air conditioner was covered.  We were officially ready for winter!  

That is until we discovered that someone had stolen our air conditioner cover early last week. 

 

You think you're a patient, relaxed, calm person until you have a crisis on your hands.  Ok, I know this isn't exactly a crisis...but it is very annoying.

I don't remember praying and asking for patience, but I must have.  My first instinct was to write a scathing post on Facebook (I know that'll scare 'em ;)

Next, I wanted to talk about it on the radio...that'll really teach them.  

Finally, I settled on my blog.  But the blog I am writing now is much different than the blog I wanted to write when it first happened.  Why is it so different, because just a few days earlier I read about what the Bible says about anger and where it can lead.  Look at this:

Ephesians 4:26-27 ESV

Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.

James 1:19-20 ESV

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

Proverbs 29:11 ESV 

A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.

Proverbs 15:18 ESV

A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.

Proverbs 15:1 ESV

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

I know some people hate it when Christians pretend that nothing bad ever happens.  Sure, bad things do happen, but how do we as Christians react?  That is what should be different.  Our perspective on everything in life should be different.  While we go through struggles we have God to walk with us.  When those struggles come, we need to lean on Him.  That is the only way He can become real to us and strengthen our faith...even when your air conditioner cover is stolen :)