Advent!

We enter into the season of Advent today.  There are so many images, phrases and feelings that come to my mind when I think of Advent.  I made the Wordle above for an artistic rendition.  How do you think the Nativity story would have played out if Mary and Joseph had been on Face Book?  The video below has been around for awhile, but I still enjoy watching it.  I also love the music, O Come Emmanuel, by Folk Angel, Hope you will also!

Thanksgiving Traditions....Fact or Fiction??

We assume that many of our American Thanksgiving traditions originated in 1620 when the Pilgrims celebrated Thanksgiving.  Not so!  Watch this video from Mental Floss to discover some common misconceptions!

Have a Blessed Thanksgiving everyone!

Christ is King!

Today is the Feast of Christ the King.  The closing of a liturgical year, with the anticipation of the beginning of a new one with Advent next weekend.  Christ's throne was not like the thrones of kings here on earth.  His throne was the cross.  The power of that cross still envelopes our hearts and minds over 2000 years later.  The power of love, forgiveness, peace, hope.  

Do I make Christ the KING in my own life?  Do I take the time to stop and consider if my actions are those that would honor Him?  As I live my life, and as we enter into this season of Advent next week, I hope to set aside purposeful time to consider these things, to pray about them, to put the POWER of the cross into action.

This song was written in 1982 by Wendy Crowther.  It's performed by Ingrid DuMosch and Scott Shallenberger.  It's very prayerful.  You can find more of Ingrid's music on Spotify as well.

Take it away CATS!

This video was so cute, I just had to share! Enjoy!

Petty Officer Sings 'God Bless America'

Retired Naval Petty Officer, 1st Class, Generald Wilson sings "God Bless America" during the seventh-inning stretch of Game 3 in the 2013 World Series.   What a beautiful voice, what a beautiful tribute!  Click the link below.

Petty Officer Sings 'God Bless America' | Military.com

A Day to Honor

Veterans Day is a special day around here.  Our local American Legion has a delegation that comes to school to share their experiences with our students.  Music is prepared and performed, poems are written and read - all in honor of those who have served our country.  We are proud to be Americans, and grateful for the service of our Veterans.  If you see a Veteran today or any other day, thank them for their service.  They willingly served, knowing that they may die in that service.  That's quite a commitment to make - to die for our fellow man.  Thank you Veterans for all you have done to preserve our way of life.

To see photos from our celebration today, click HERE! 

This year, we chose the song "Armed Forces - The Pride of America!" as our selection.  The students enjoyed learning about each branch's song and the story behind TAPS.  Here's a video of the selection, played by the SWAU Wind Symphony.

"The Caisson Song" by Edmond L. Gruber (Army)

"The Marine's Hymn" Words by Henry C. Davis, music traditional (Marines)

"Anchors Away" by Capt. Alfred H. Miiles and Charles Zimmerman (Navy)

"Always Ready" by Captain Francis Saltus Van Boskerck (Coast Guard)

"The US Airforce" by Robert Crawford (Air Force)

"The Star-Spangled Banner" words by Francis Scott Key, music by John Stafford Smith 

 

And another version, with the lyrics sung for the songs.  By Portland Ensign Choir and Orchestra

Let All the Nations Be Blessed!

Take some time today to simply praise God for being God.  His Spirit is here and now, in us, through us, around us.  Feel His Spirit at work in your own life!

People from 19 locations around the world came together to create this video.  Enjoy!

What's a Parody?

In music this week, we've been learning about musical Parody.

  Musical parodies may imitate or refer to the peculiar style of a composer or artist, or even a general style of music. For example, The Ritz Roll and Rock, a song and dance number performed by Fred Astaire in the movie Silk Stockings, parodies the Rock and Roll genre. (Wikipedia)

Musical parodies are found all over YouTube these days!  We enjoyed a "farmer" theme this week and listened to the two parodies below.  I can see that creating some parodies of our own is written in the future....Enjoy!

Happy All Saints Day!

What is a saint?  Is a saint a PERFECT person?  Someone who has never faltered?  Someone who always knows the right answer, who always makes the right choices?  I don't think so.  For me, a saint is a person who strives toward living their life for God in all that they do.  Not perfect, not sinless, not without struggles.  We are all called to be saints!  There are the famous saints we all know about, St. Francis, St. Joseph, St. Mary, a long long list.  These particular people made a specific impact on history, and are for us an example, a goal to look towards when living our life. 
According to Wikipedia, "A saint is one who has been recognized for having an exceptional degree of holiness, sanctity, and virtue. "  Do I recognize the saints around me in my own life?  In my life, so many of my friends are saints.  They are there for me when I need guidance or safe refuge. Especially dear to me right now are the doctors,nurses and staff who work with cancer patients.  They truly are saints to each of those patients and their families.  Bringing comfort, consolation, peace, hope to those who are ill, fearful, grief-stricken, hopeless.  
Who are the saints in your life?  A person doesn't have to be famous to be a saint, only someone who longs to do the will of God.  Their life shows it.  We are ALL called to be saints. 

St. Francis of Assisi gives us a pretty good recipe for living in his famous "Prayer of St. Francis".  The video below is from a DVD entitled, "The Irish Prayers"  I love the instrumentation and reflective mood.  I hope you enjoy it also!

How did Halloween Begin?

Halloween has gotten a bad rap in recent times.  It's been connected to devil worship, Satan, the occult.  In reality, the origins of this holiday are much tamer in nature!  This article by Father Augustine Thompson, O.P., presents a view of the history of what we now celebrate as Halloween that might be different that you expect!  Fr. Thompson is an associate professor of religious studies at the University of Virginia. 

Read more here!

Blue Moon

There are a lot of Halloween videos to explore...lots of light shows!  I ran across this cute rendition of Blue Moon.  Have you heard any singing pumpkins lately?  If not, here you go!

THAT'S a Marching Band!

Students enjoyed watching this Michael Jackson Tribute by the Ohio State Marching Band!    It's mind-boggling to think of the coordination it takes to learn and execute this show!



We also watched their Tribute to Holloywood which was performed just this weekend.

Psalm 91

"He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High, shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty."

Our God is always there for us!

A little pool music....

Another cool flash mob!

My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth!

Bebo Norman sings "I will Lift My Eyes", based on Psalm 121.  Jeffrey Stephen "Bebo" Norman is a contemporary Christian musician from Columbus, Georgia. Some of his recordings include the songs "Great Light of the World" and "Falling Down".  According to his blog, he will be retiring from professional appearances and songwriting at the end of 2013.  You can check out other videos of his on YouTube as well.

World's Fastest Drummer!

On July 13, 2013 Canadian-born Tom Grosset set a new record for extreme drumming. The 23-year-old broke the record with 1,208 strokes, which means his hands were moving more than 20 times per second. The title previously belonged to Dream Theater drummer Mike Mangini who hit 1,203 strokes in 2005.

"Cups" Tap Dance

Enjoy Christopher Rice and company tap dancing to Anna Kendrick's hit song.

YOU OVERCAME!

We are all sinners, yet our Loving God is always there, reaching out for us, ready to forgive, true to His covenant with us!  Jesus is here NOW for you and for me.  We need only respond.  He has done all the work, we need only accept His love!  Thank you Father!  YOU are our victory!
As you listen to this recording of "Overcome" by Jeremy Camp, remember the healing of the lepers, the abundance of mercy and love from Jesus for those in pain, for those rejected by everyone else.  HE embraced them, healed them.  Jesus will do the same for us.  Just let him hold you too!

Jeremy Thomas Camp is a contemporary Christian musician from Lafayette, Indiana. Camp has released eleven albums, four of them RIAA-certified as Gold and two are live albums, His original music is a mixture of ballads and rock. Wikipedia

Kung Fu Piano: Cello Ascends - ThePianoGuys

Can you say awesome!  I started my morning this morning watching this new video out by ThePianoGuys.  WOW!

What Faith Can Do

 

The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.”

The Lord replied,
“If you have faith the size of a mustard seed,
you would say to this mulberry tree,
‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.”

I'd not heard Kutless before, but enjoyed their sound!!  They are a Christian rock band from Portland, Oregon formed in 1999. They have released seven studio albums including their latest, Believer. The band has also released a live album, Kutless - Live from Portland.