Lord, We Praise You!

It's been a sad week for us at school.  Earlier in the week, a beloved retired educator, Georgienne, passed away.  Then on Friday morning, a colleague of ours, Marlene, also passed away.  Our hearts are heavy with sorrow for the loss of these two women.  Our staff is a caring community. There will be a hole in our hearts as we mourn the loss of these souls that we were privileged to call friends.
Even though sadness prevails at times like this, as Christians we also know there is an incredible amount of joy.  When we pass from this world we are not really gone...we are transformed into new life!  No more pain, no more struggle.  We can rejoice that Georgienne and Marlene are celebrating their new life!
God truly is our Rock, our Salvation.  Things of this world are temporary, at best.  Only God is there for us always, forever.
So, even in our sorrow, we WILL praise you Lord!  We will praise You for being our Rock, our Salvation! As I listen and immerse myself in prayer while listening to the two videos below, I truly do praise God for everything...even the hard, sad times.
These two videos are original songs performed by Francesca LaRosa.  She has a voice of praise and thanksgiving!  I also very much enjoy the piano focus of the video! There is another video on the YouTube channel linked above that is an interview with her from four years ago.
She has another YouTube channel where I found the 2nd video, "Let It Shine."

YOU are my SHIELD Lord!

Greg Peterson (yes, of the Peterson Farm Bros) has written and performed quite a few solo (and quartet) selections on his YouTube Channel.  Here's one of his original songs, "Shield"  Enjoy and check out his other recordings!

LEGO MUSIC MAKER!

True play is creativity.

John Lasseter

We tried out a new app in technology today - The Lego Music Maker!  The students LOVED creating their own music mixes!  Four characters - Emmet, Wyldstyle, Benny, and Batman - are available to dance to the style you create.  You can also choose from three different songs, and four types of sound blocks (legos)....percussion, guitar, synth, and voices.  One of the favorite voices to use was "I Am Freaking Out!"  The song loops in the background as the sound effects are layered on top.  The characters will do a dance moves that correspond to the type of effect chosen.  When a composition has been created, you can choose to save it and work on it later or even send to a friend to view.  Go to The Lego Music Maker and give it a try!!

I Will Follow

"He Leads, I Follow"  

Life isn't certain.  The future is full of surprises for each of us.  Some good, some not so good.  Where is my focus throughout the days of my life...are my eyes on Jesus, on His footsteps?  I will be following Him...not just when the journey is joyful and exciting, but also when the way is hard, sorrowful, heart-breaking.

Chris Tomlin...

 

As you reflect about how you (and I) are salt and light to the world around us, listen to this selection by Jami Smith.  Salt and Light was released in 2002.  Her latest album, Verse, features songs derived entirely from Scripture.   Jami grew up in a small town in Oklahoma, and has been called to travel the country, serving as worship leader.  Her passion is to use her gift of music to help people connect with the Lord.

Salt and Light by Jami Smith

You make me want to be like You

Your holiness I will pursue 

I want the heart of Jesus 

Show me the meaning of Your grace 

I want to give the world a taste 

Of the love of Jesus 

Make me salt 

Make me light 

Let Your holy fire ignite 

Reveal Your glory in my life 

I am not ashamed 

To lift up Your holy name 

Make me salt 

Make me light 

Set me as a city on a hill 

A lamp on a stand 

Mold me in Your image 

The work of Your hand 

The Presentation of Jesus

Luke 2:22-29   The Presentation in the Temple.22 When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, they took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord,23just as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,”24and to offer the sacrifice of “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,” in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.25Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the holy Spirit was upon him.26It had been revealed to him by the holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Messiah of the Lord.27He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him,28he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:29“Now, Master, you may let your servant go
in peace, according to your word.

This weekend the Church celebrates Mary and Joseph presenting Jesus to the Lord.  Tradition dictated that the mother bring a first-born son to be dedicated in the Temple about 40 days after a child's birth.  And here we are, about 40 days out from our Christmas celebration!  A sacrifice was usually offered at that time as well (the Gospel of Luke refers to a pair of turtle doves or pigeons).  Simeon was  a holy man, who had been waiting for this moment - the long-awaited Messiah for Israel.  Luke tells us that at long last, he was ready to enter into everlasting life, he had held the Messiah in his own arms!
By the 11th century a custom had developed in the West of blessing candles on this feast day.  A procession took place through the darkened church while the Canticle of Simeon was sung.  This was referred to as Candlemas.  This is still an important feast in many European countries.
When a person thinks of those who have committed their lives to God, often what comes to mind are priests, nuns, missionaries, theologians.  As Christians, aren't we ALL called to dedicate our life to God's service?  No matter what our profession in life - teacher, parent, mechanic, farmer, student - we can dedicate what we do to the Glory of God.  Think about where your day takes you...in what ways do you honor God - that makes your Christian faith evident?  I'm not talking about elaborate speeches or huge donations.  It could be as simple as a hug for a crying child, a smile to a co-worker who is feeling down, a compliment to a spouse.  Sometimes it's the little things that speak volumes when it comes to who we really are - or show what we really believe in our heart.

Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone) by Chris Tomlin