My Top Christmas Songs and What They Mean to Me!

 Scene Dear Readers~

Wow, it's hard to believe there are only about 25 more days until Christmas; it seems just like yesterday my brother and sister-in-law and their kids were here celebrating. But I guess that's what happens as you get older - time flies and before you know it is gone! That being said, I thought I would highlight some of my favorite Christmas songs and why they are important to me.

Let's face it... We've all grown up hearing about Santa Claus- the jolly old man in a red suit who brings presents to those on the "nice list". If we are honest with ourselves, though, the impact of this story fades as we grow; as a result, we're left to view the innocence through the eyes of our relatives- younger nieces and nephews, brothers and sisters who we passed on the tradition too!

For that reason, every Christmas is different for me; I'm not saying that the "magic" is gone. I still enjoy watching my nieces unwrap their presents- their eyes glowing with excitement. But I realize what's most important during this season. It's the time you've spent with friends and family spreading God's love in their life. After all, Jesus is the reason for the season!

The following four songs help me remember what is most important during this Christmas season and remind me to do whatever I can to further God's kingdom because tomorrow is not promised. After all, as I've said many times before, we are God's representatives.

1. Grown-up Christmas List by Amy Grant- Although this song has many versions, this is one of my favorites. This song illustrates how growing up our view of the world changes and we begin to focus on others rather than just our own needs. If we grown-up believing in Jesus, we know that it is only he that can solve the world's problems. This song makes me realize the world is still a broken place and there is still work to be done
2. Happy Christmas (War is Over) by Celine Dion- This song makes me evaluate what I've done over the past year to share my faith with those around me. It also reminds me to not worry about the future because God has everything in the palm of his hand. It also gives me pause to think about those in war-torn countries, fighting for their lives as well as our safety and protection
3. Where are You Christmas? by Faith Hill- This song reminds me that Christmas isn't always easy for everyone... Relatives may have passed this year and so they might find this year very difficult. They may have forgotten the happiness of Christmas because they are so full of loss. Also, this song reminds me that Christmas isn't just for the holiday season, it should be felt every day. People need God's love and hope- that's the ultimate gift of Christmas!
4. Here Comes Santa Claus (the Christmas Carol version) by Unknown- I know this seems like a surprising choice considering the rest of my list... But hear me out, this version mentions the true meaning of Christmas in lines like this, ""He loves you just the same Santa Claus knows we're all Gods children That makes everything right So fill your hearts with Christmas cheer 'Cause Santa Claus comes tonight! " I admit this version is hard to find famous singers singing but it can be occasionally heard on the Delilah show on I Heart Radio.

Anyway, if I don't write any later on this month, I wish everybody a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Debbie

Hallmark Hall of Fame: Christmas Everlasting - Hallmark Movie Trailer (A...

Welcome Back Readers~

How was everyone's Thanksgiving? I hope you took advantage of the time with friends and family because those are moments you can't get back. I certainly enjoyed our change in scenery as we celebrated in Virginia Beach this year. You see, my brother and sister-in-law decided to take the kids and visit Tennessee. So we decided to hit the road as well. I know what you're thinking...

But wasn't it cold at Virginia Beach? To answer your question, yes. But fortunately, we spent most of our time inside and relaxing. We ordered pizza and had dad get food for us most nights but on the first night we decided to venture out and walk the three blocks to Catch 31; it was blistering cold outside. For dinner, my parents ordered the traditional Thanksgiving turkey in some kind of fancy sauce while I decided on steak drenched in some kind of sauce that made it taste like pot roast instead. It was then that we determined if we were to venture out again dad would drive the van and drop us off as well as pick us up so the three of us didn't have to walk. True to his word, we ventured out the day before we left Virginia Beach to get our usual favorites-mine was the crab cake dinner.

But that's enough about my Thanksgiving. On November 25, our family enjoyed the Hallmark Hall Of Fame movie "Christmas Everlasting."  Based on Martha Bostwick's book "The Second Sister", this movie follows Lucy Tooney's (Tatyana Ali) journey back home after the devastating loss of her best friend and "sister". The two had continued to grow close despite the strain the distance had on their friendship. Their friendship had overcome the biggest test of their lives when Alice got into an accident and had a traumatic brain injury which left her mentally challenged having to relearn everything again. Now, Lucy is left to face her past as well as her guilt. In the process, she inherits Alice's home as well as her cat under the expressed condition that she stay there until after Christmas. At first, she is reluctant but feelings for an old flame began to change her mind- not to mention wanting to find out who the mysterious Maeve is.

I related to this movie for many reasons. First and foremost, it involves a character with a disability. Although she died, I can relate to sometimes feeling like a burden to the people I care about. I know it takes time out of their lives to care for me on a daily basis but I know they love me and that's why they do it. Second of all, I know I have a small group of friends like Alice did (the "FOA" - Friends of Allic) that care about me. However, I wish I knew and felt I was making a difference in their lives. You see, most of them live in states far away from mine and I don't get to see them that often. While it's true we have cell phones and text, it's not the same as seeing them face-to-face; I miss those college days where we were in the dorms and they were just a call away if I needed them. Back then things were so easy and uncomplicated by the struggles of life

Anyway, sorry for drifting a little off-topic there. I would really recommend watching any reruns of Christmas Everlasting when it comes on. With special guest stars like Patty Labelle and Dennis Haysbert, it's sure to be a new Christmas favorite; it certainly is for me.

Preview - A Godwink Christmas - Miracles of Christmas

Welcome Back Readers~


Have you ever wondered whether God interacts with us on a daily basis? I believe he does. It may be in the unlikely circumstances of meaning friends from your childhood in the midst of the crowded shopping mall or just a simple urging in your spirit that something needs to be done right away. Either way, God does still speak to us in his own unique way- that way he gets our attention and we have no doubt he is watching out for us. In tonight's premiere of "A God Wink Christmas" we take a look at one couple's undeniable connection and despite that circumstances keep them apart. But God doesn't give up that easily and through several "GodWinks" they can no longer deny their chemistry. See the movie tonight on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries at 9 PM

"One Heart At a Time"-a candid look at what makes Radio Show Host Delilah who she is

Welcome Back Readers,

I'll be honest I haven't felt quite like myself the last few weeks. Although I've been rolling along trying my best to work on the blog and YouTube videos, my heart hasn't been really in it. Still, news of Delilah's new book and podcast gave me something to do and post about. As I've said in previous posts, I've been listening to her radio show for as long as I can remember on and off throughout the years. Except for her faith (which she shares candidly on the air to anyone she feels led to), I didn't know much about her. Sure, I knew she had a nonprofit foundation to help feed and provide for the needy in underdeveloped countries. But because I read her new book "One Heart at a time" I feel like I know her more like a friend. Let me preface this review by saying, I'm only halfway through the book but I just had to share what I've been touched by so far.

1. Delilah is a famous radio show host, yes, but she is also just a human with a broken heart- as with her radio show, Delilah is open and candid about her life and difficulty. In the very first chapter, she tackles the most recent tragedy that broke her heart- Zack's suicide. I admit this was a difficult chapter for me to read and listen to because I'm always used to hearing her positive attitude and spirit. But that's the truth, people are broken in this world and that's why they need to hear about the love of God.
2. Delilah always seems to know what to say to her listeners. Reading and listening to her show, I'm always amazed how she knows exactly what to say to her audience. She is not afraid to share the gospel and how she feels about any subject. As she puts it, she has "the gift of gab"
3. Delilah believes in Jesus and follows wherever he calls her. It's amazing to see how God works in other people's lives. Sometimes there as miraculous as receiving a email from a complete stranger that leads you to learn more about the difficulties in Liberia. That led to the greater purpose in her life- Point Hope
4. Delilah believes prayer is vital in this life- her stories of praying for miracles as a child touched my heart; in the prayer chapter she also points out that God has the ability and often does meet us where we are in life, we just need to pray. Are you doubting? That's okay. It's even normal. Ask him to show you his presence in a very unique way to you and I'm sure he will. But you must keep your heart open.
5. She is changing people's lives "one heart at a time". In her book, Delilah explains how she developed Point Hope with the express purpose of giving the homeless a hand up to restart their life. Over time, she realized they just had come to rely on that daily as their meal. It was then that she realized you have to get to know the person to really impact change.. Even with my blog and YouTube ministry, I sometimes feel like I'm not doing enough. I am not making a difference. But as my dad puts it, "God is watching you and is very proud of you!" If I'm being honest, a lot of the times I don't feel that way; I don't see the impact. Not only that, having a disability has a tendency to get me down these days. I don't know why. I can't explain it.

In short, Delilah has been through a lot in her life; but she has chosen to use her circumstances to share God's love through actions, foundations, and kind words on a daily basis.I can only hope to make the kind of difference she has. God bless!

Radio show host Delilah's philosophy: Touching "One Heart at a time"

Dear readers,

 

I'm not sure whether I've ever mentioned the Delilah show on Wash FM on here before or not. But I'm going to again if I haven't. I've been listening to her show on and off for as long as I can remember; as a matter of fact, I rekindled my love for the show soon after I got my first Amazon Echo and I realized I could listen to her on I Heart Radio whenever I wanted. This woman is special in too many ways to count- not only does she have the unique ability to listen to someone's story on the radio and pick out a song to match, but she also has a heart for children with special needs and those that aren't easily adopted. After taking a hiatus to deal with a personal loss, she is back to inspire people with her story, music, and podcast. Her new book entitled "One Heart At a Time gives a more in-depth and personal look into her life and her philosophy of reaching one person at a time.

She also has a new podcast entitled "Conversations With Delilah" where she invites friends and authors to have a open and authentic conversation about their books and life in general. Within each conversation, she hopes audiences take away something- a little piece of hope and inspiration for the future. In her most recent podcast with Rory Feek, the two share how you don't really learn to get over a loss, you just move on knowing that they are always with you.

For more information about Delilah, please go to:

https://www.facebook.com/Delilah/

https://www.delilah.com/

Encouragement: GOD FRIENDED ME Official First Look Trailer HD

 Dear readers,
Ten years after this season finale of Touched By An Angel, CBS brings back feel good television with the introduction of "God Friended Me". In this series, Brandon Michael Hall stars as a struggling PK trying to find the meaning of life on his own and making his opinions known on a podcast. That is until "God" sends him a friend request on Facebook. At first, Miles considered it as some type of practical joke but after persistent friend request,  he finally relents. From then on, God suggests possible "friend" suggestions to add his circle. The first being Cara Bloom, a journalist with writer's block. Once the to meet, they have but one goal- to find out the person or thing behind these requests real the truth once and for all. Still along in the process, he is given people to come in contact with and help in some way. During the process, his attitudes begin to change and he is determined to use this podcast to open the lines of communication for his audience. At first glance, this series seems like it's making fun of the faith but I tend to disagree. This series reiterates the fact that we are all connected and in need of something. It's our job as Christians to see the need and meet it. After all, we are God's representatives and who knows we may be the one connection to God the person has. God uses us whether we want them to or not. God can use anything to reach anyone if he wants! "God Friended Me" airs Sundays at 8 PM

For more information about this series, please go to:

https://www.cbs.com/shows/god-friended-me/cast/

https://www.facebook.com/pg/GodFriendedMeCBS/about/?ref=page_internal

The Angels of Concordia -Guest Post by Debbie's Dad

The Angels of Concordia

Guest Thoughts by Debbie’s Dad

The Bible clearly speaks of angels, the created beings that carry out missions for the LORD on earth. Few have seen angels, but many are recorded in Scripture. In both the Hebrew and Greek, the words that we translate as angels have the meaning messenger - a messenger from God.

Angels In the Old Testament

In Genesis 18 Abraham conversed with men (angels) that accompanied the LORD. At the peak of Israel’s’ kingdom, the Psalms recorded the practical theology of trusting the Lord and described the angel of the LORD as a protector (34:7). Other Psalms described how angels are given charge to watch over us (91:11) even as they praise the Lord (103:20). 

As the nation of Israel divided and finally fell, the prophets provided more insight into the work of angels. The prophets saw angels as “Seraphim” (Isaiah 6:2) and “cherubim” (Ezekiel 10:1-3). Daniel, while in captivity in Babylon, actually named two angels who came to help him: Gabriel and Michael (9:20-27 and 10:13, respectively).   Similarly, a man, identified as an angel came to help Zechariah understand the visions he was seeing (cf. Zech. 1: 7-9).

The Angels and the Messiah

After a long period of silence from God, the people returned to a devastated and conquered the land. The most well-known messenger is the angel Gabriel who informed Mary that she would give birth to Israel’s Messiah – “the king of Jacob’s people forever” (Luke 1: 26-38).  It was an angel that announced Jesus’ birth to the shepherds outside of Bethlehem (Luke 2:8-15), then angels warned Joseph to flee to Egypt and then to return when Herod had died and the danger had passed (Matt. 2:13-15 and 19-21). Angels ministered to Jesus at the beginning of His ministry (Mark 1:13) and rolled away the stone after his resurrection, remaining at the tomb to greet His followers (Matt. 28:1-2 and John 20:12). Jesus acknowledged the role of angels (e.g. Matt 22:30; 13:39; 25:31) as serving Him. Angles similarly ministered to the apostles in their ministry opening prison doors (Acts 5 and 12), providing ministry guidance (Acts 8:26 and 10:1-7) and encouragement in perilous times (Acts 27:23-25).

In all of these cases, the angels appeared as people, sent from God to give messages: to warn,  to explain, to encourage, and to protect.

My Angelic Encounter

Back in the period 2003-2006 when Debbie attended Concordia University in Ann Arbor, I actually saw some angels at work: warning, explaining, encouraging and protecting!

Before you declare me a heretic, let me explain. Debbie was accepted to Concordia in the fall semester of 2003 after 2 years of hard work at Washtenaw Community College. She was able to transfer 51 credits and began as a sophomore. On paper, all was well academically. But physically, it seemed a mission impossible for her to live on campus and succeed as a student. Being quadriplegic, she needed caregivers to get here up in the morning and then put her to bed at night; that could work. But how could she make it through the day? – For three years!  The Concordia staff was terrific, charting her path to classes and then walking with my wife and me across every path on campus to make sure they could be traversed by a wheelchair. Every ramp and every door threshold was checked.  Out toilet seat was tested on the David Dorm toilet.

But the daytime routine was the killer- ominous, overwhelming effectively impossible.  How could Debbie …

• There Be fed at breakfast, lunch, and dinner??
• Handle loading and unloading her backpack/travel to and from classes throughout the day?
• Open and close the pages of her books/take notes in classes to help her keep up?
• Study at night, turn pages in books/ practice foreign language, look at note card, etc.?

Indeed it was not possible ... but when my wife, Debbie and I explored the David Dorm where she might live, angels appeared.  Appearing as friendly college girls, they came alongside and asked us what we were doing. We explained and like angels do, they warned us of things we had not thought about, explained how others could help Debbie through the day, and encouraged us that it would work.  And soon, they assembled an entire army of the most wonderful young women we could imagine. The army grew and grew and they spent the next 3 years encouraging and protecting Debbie – enabling her to complete her degree. 

A few of "Angels" of Concordia with Debbie in 2006

Being and Angel to Others

Sure I know these young women were not the heavenly being like the patriarchs, prophets, and apostles saw, but they sure behaved as if they were sent by the LORD. They played the role of angels, providing us the message that what seemed impossible, was made possible by their sacrifice of time and energy to be Debbie’s hands and feet.  To me, they will always be angelic. And they set a wonderful example for me to follow. They glorified God by their Christ-like lives …

Encourage the people who are afraid. Help those who are weak. Be patient with every person. 1 Thessalonians 5:14b (ICB)

Debbie earned her BA degree in January 2007, enabled by that platoon of wonderful young women in David Dorm and across campus. Many of them still keep in touch with Debbie online, pray for her and, as angels always do, encourage her from afar.   May the Lord send to each of us someone to whom we may serve as an angel, just like that.