Grouchiness

I haven't had enough sleep. Am I dull-witted and unresponsive? Am I snappish? Do I suddenly explode with impassioned pleas to my children to PLEASE CAN'T YOU NOTICE THE BITS OF TRASH ON THE LIVING ROOM FLOOR AND PICK THEM UP? Do I blog about random incidents, long past, that made me grouchy? Yup, low on sleep.

Here's what has me grouchy tonight.

Years ago, I attended a birthday party of an acquaintance's daughter. I found myself wedged on the couch between two women, mother and daughter. They were related to the birthday girl, but that's not what we talked about. Because, first of all, I didn't do much talking at all. They did. And all they talked about was Maddy.

Maddy was the younger woman's five-year-old daughter. I met her when she ran through once or twice, and she didn't strike me as particularly remarkable. But her mother and grandmother certainly thought she was, and they had the stories to back it up. It was as if they got started and just couldn't stop themselves. I heard about the fits Maddy would throw when she was a toddler. I heard about the funny things Maddy said at school. I heard about how Maddy collected dead flies and put them in her dollhouse. All these stories were related with close attention to detail, so that I didn't miss any of the wonder that was Maddy.

And then, then, a ten-year-old girl came to talk to the mother. As I listened, I realized who this girl was. It was like a great reveal in a soap opera: this was the long-lost older sister that nobody had ever mentioned! In all that interminable Maddy-saturated conversation, neither the mother nor grandmother had once mentioned that there was also Ally.

Even now, years later, I'm irritated at those women. I wonder if Maddy is still the shining wonder of her mother and grandmother's lives. And I occasionally think of Ally and wonder how she's doing in that cold shadow of Maddy's.

I really need to get some sleep tonight.

-- SJ

Mental DVD

If my mental processes were burned onto DVD, the resulting video experience would go something like this:

Monday: Hit play! Get the house picked up, breakfast served, kitchen cleaned. Okay, kids -- school in twenty minutes! Let's go!

Tuesday: Continuous play. Get the house picked up, breakfast served (to the younger ones), kitchen cleaned. School in fifteen or so minutes, kids! Just going to check Facebook again. Okay, kids. I gave you fifteen EXTRA minutes. Time for school!

Wednesday: Oops, a skip. Stupid house, why is it always messed up? Here, little ones, if you want something to eat I left some waffles on the table. Big kids, make yourself cereal. School. Blah. Maybe I can make today a library day. No, I hate going to the library with a two-year-old. It's not like school takes very long... probably an indication that I'm not doing enough. I haven't done much science this year. Maybe I should print out science worksheets! Sigh. What's going on on Facebook? Oh, here's a sweet update about love... I bet I could comment something snarky... okay, okay. Kids! Start your math!

Thursday: Pause. Prayer group in the morning, pick up this and that in the afternoon (or take off afternoon entirely). Ahh, Thursdays.

Friday: Fast forward. Week is nearly over! We can do this! Finish strong! Oops, we forgot history. Oh, well, we'll get it on Monday.

-- SJ

Worship Songs

My good friend Joel Klampert recently posted a list of his top 20 worship songs. It was a response to this list from Worship Leader magazine, which has been posting lists of Top 20 recently (WL is celebrating its 20th anniversary, I believe).

Joel defined his list as "These are the songs that grip me, give me goosebumps, and bring me in Jesus presence like no other." Now, although Joel and I are friends, we have Very Different musical tastes (I have described him before as being "bleeding edge, not just cutting edge"). I recognized exactly 3 of his choices: the Kyrie from Mozart's Requiem Mass (excellent choice!), Majesty by Delirious, and Micah 6:8 by Charlie Hall (a song I very much like lyrically, but find too bangy to be really moved by).

So I thought I'd post my list of 20 worship songs that I truly love. They're in completely random order. They don't really fit the criteria that Worship Leader set out, because they're not all in the last 20 years, but these are the songs that lead me to God.

1. Revelation Song - Jennie Lee Riddle

One of the songs that Worship Leader and I agree on. I love the line "Clothed in rainbows of living color, flashes of lighting, rolls of thunder."

2. Great and Wonderful - Frank Wakeman's setting of Revelation 15:3-4 to Handel's Largo

This song still gives me goosebumps.

3. All Hail the Power - words by Edward Perronet, tune Diadem

I can still remember the first time I heard the Shiloh choir sing this song to the Diadem tune (that's the one with the really cool running bass part in the chorus). What a fantastic song.

4. Holy, Holy, Holy - Reginald Heber, John Dykes

Recently a worship leader posted on Facebook, "If you were limited to leading your congregation in only one song this Sunday, what would it be?" I voted for Holy, Holy, Holy.

5. In Christ Alone - Stuart Townend, Keith Getty

This was the song that actually got the most votes for the Facebook post I mentioned above. I agree - I think this is one of the absolute best songs written in the last 20 years. Whenever we sing it, I want to sing the last verse over and over again:

No guilt in life, no fear in death,

This is the power of Christ in me;

From life's first cry to final breath.

Jesus commands my destiny.

No power of hell, no scheme of man,

Can ever pluck me from His hand;

Till He returns or calls me home,

Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.

6. Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence - Liturgy of St. James, translated by John M. Neale

Another song that gives me goosebumps. My favorite verse:

Rank on rank the host of heaven

Spreads its vanguard on the way,

As the Light of light descendeth

From the realms of endless day,

That the powers of hell may vanish

As the darkness clears away.

7. Be Unto Your Name - Lynn deShazo, Gary Sadler

When I was leading music at church, I did this song probably too many times. It's just SO good.

Holy, holy, Lord God Almighty

Worthy is the Lamb Who was slain

Highest praises, honor and glory

Be unto Your name, be unto Your name.

8. Before the Throne of God Above - Vickie Cook

One of several Sovereign Grace songs that I really enjoy. I love the ending to this one too:

One in Himself I cannot die.

My soul is purchased by His blood,

My life is hid with Christ on high,

With Christ my Savior and my God!

9. I Need Not Fear - Kieran Metcalfe

This song is from Resound Worship, which has some terrific songs. Another good one is "On the Darkest Day of All."

It begins with a rousing declaration of truth:

I need not fear, though greatly I've sinned,

for I have a greater Saviour.

10. Christ is Risen - Matt Maher

This one is a great Easter song with a great pounding beat on the chorus. Go see it!

11. Crown Him With Many Crowns - Matthew Bridges, Godfrey Thring

My favorite verse of this one usually isn't sung:

Crown Him the virgin’s Son, the God incarnate born,

Whose arm those crimson trophies won which now His brow adorn;

Fruit of the mystic rose, as of that rose the stem;

The root whence mercy ever flows, the Babe of Bethlehem.

12. Holy God - Brian Doerksen

To tell the truth, I like listening to this one more than singing it. I don't find it useful for congregational use, but for personal, it's wonderful.

13. How Deep the Father’s Love for Us - Stuart Townend

Another marvelous composition from Townend.

Why should I gain from His reward?

I cannot give an answer.

But this I know with all my heart -

His wounds have paid my ransom.

14. Immortal, Invisible - Walter Smith

I love these lines:

Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light,

Nor wanting, nor wasting, Thou rulest in might.

15. Let Us Kneel at Calvary - Sam Hargreaves

This is another Resound song. We've done it at church as the very first song on Easter morning. It moves from "We will kneel in adoration" to "We will stand in celebration." Very excellent way to start off the celebration!

16. My Savior, My God - words by Dorothy Greenwell, much improved tune by Aaron Shust

I think this is one of the finest "updates" of an old song that's been done recently. Check it out.

17. Of the Father’s Love Begotten - Aurelius Prudentius, 5th century

A lovely Advent hymn, with a tune that's a thousand years old. I truly love this one. Unfortunately, it's not really popular with our church group; the last time I tried it, my pastor encouraged me to find something a little more accessible. Too bad.

Of the Father’s love begotten, ere the worlds began to be,

He is Alpha and Omega, He the source, the ending He,

Of the things that are, that have been,

And that future years shall see, evermore and evermore!

18. The Wonderful Cross - Isaac Watts, Chris Tomlin

I think it's pretty much a given that in a top 20 worship list, there has to be a Tomlin song, right? :) And if it's combined with the greatest hymn writer of all time, even better!

19. Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone) - John Newton, Chris Tomlin

I think the ending verse of this one, with its imagery of snow melting in the sun, is absolutely gorgeous.

20. Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones - John Riley, tune of "All Creatures of Our God and King"

A great song for Easter, with its chorus of Alleluias.

O friends, in gladness let us sing,

Supernal anthems echoing,

Alleluia! Alleluia!

To God the Father, God the Son,

And God the Spirit, Three in One.

And that's it. Feel free to post your own list!

--DJ

Kid Bits

Addi
We were being silly, and Darren indicated that Addi and Stuart were nitwits. Addi leaped to her feet, assumed fighting stance, and warned, "One of these 'nitwits' packs a pretty powerful punch."

Darren replied, "One of them is pretty, and packs a powerful punch."

Addi dropped her fists. "Now, that's just disarming!" she said, flopping on the couch.

Stuart
This blog is no longer my own. Well, technically, it never was only mine; it's Darren's too. But now I've got kid fans. Not only do they monitor my posts ("Is it a Mundania? No! It's a Kid Bits! Yay!"), but they suggest material for me to post.

"Why don't you post that I'm really into wikis now?" said Stuart. It's true. He spends hours on wiki pages for his favorite PopCap games, laboriously typing descriptions of new characters and settings and, for all I know, recipes. But I replied,

"Why would I post that?"

"Because it's a 'Kid Bits,' and you want to tell your friends about us, and that's about me."

Hm, that's a valuable insight into how the kids view Mama's and Daddy's Friends.

Daphne
Welcoming the beautiful, warm spring weather, Daphne is celebrating by wearing leotards everywhere again.

Phillip
Pip has been putting words together for a while now, but today when I got his tricycle out for him, I heard the first complete sentence: "Yay! Mama help Pip! Yay!"

**
He came dancing into the kitchen today and announced, "Bad Pip!"

"Why are you bad? What have you been doing?"

"Toothpaste."

Darren cleaned up the toothpaste mess, which involved the sink, floor, laundry, and chair. He told Phillip, "NO play with toothpaste." Pip replied cheerily, "Sowwy."

Now the children imagine all of Mama's and Daddy's Friends sitting back with a sigh of satisfaction, having reached the end of another Kid Bits.

-- SJ

Song for the Irreverent Songbook 7

On a forum recently, a woman told about how she'd been removed from music ministry and youth ministry in her church because it turned out she held beliefs different from those of the pastor. One of her differing beliefs was that a woman didn't have to be under authority, and if you disagree with an authority figure over the concept of authority, it's pretty much Game Over.

While I understand that a church wants its leaders to adhere to certain important truths, I had to laugh at the thought that she couldn't lead the music team anymore. Because what was she going to do? Write her own song to teach her aberrant beliefs?

Haha! Guess what I did!

Equality
(to the tune of "Majesty")

Equality!
We have equality!
Under Jesus, a woman’s as good as a man!

Even if she’s
not under authority
She knows she can
Pursue great plans
Just like a man!

So wake up,
Realize you’re not
Under Victoria!
Women can think
Not just emote
(Which men also do!)

Equality!
God does not hide from her
She goes to His Throne
Completely alone
Not through a man!

-- SJ (who approves of this line of thinking)

Mundania 35

I've been using Blog2Print to compile the last seven years of our life in book form. The program is a little tedious to work with -- especially the photos on the front cover; apparently you can't choose "blank." But for the most part, I'm very pleased with how the books turned out. I ordered the soft cover, black-and-white pages, and it looks really good. Even the photos came out nicely. The most I've spent on one book is $45, and I consider it entirely worth the money to have my blog resting safely in my hands.

***
It's been happening so gradually that I didn't notice it for a while. In fact, a few years ago, I was sure it would never, ever happen to us. But it has: my kids are getting really big. We ran out of seating in our living room.

The Old Couch, which we "stored" for the Hall Family for, oh, ten years. It was a great couch.

The "New" Couch, which we got from Salvation Army in September. It was comfortable and looked nice, in a too-small kind of way.

So Darren and I took the plunge and bought a brand-new spiffy reclining sectional couch. All kids can fit on it. They were so thrilled that it took fully seventeen minutes before they started bickering about who was touching whom.

The Brand-New Couch, delivered this morning. THIS is room for the whole family! Good thing we don't need too much living room at the same time. Okay, okay, I know you want to linger here and gaze at the couch, the new curtains, and the fresher wall color. But let's move on.

***
My mother-in-law is the patient recipient of daily phone calls from Daphne. She's a good sport, playing along with Daphne's favorite "kitty" game. This morning, however, she decided to try her hand at taking the lead in pretending:

"How about Nana Kitty and Daphne Kitty have a race to the slide?" Nana suggested. "Okay, we're running now!" (Nana made "bumpa bumpa" noises with her voice. Daphne, on the other hand, loudly whapped a book to simulate HER stride.) "We're almost there! Nearly there! Oh! And Daphne Kitty wins!"

"Yay!" said Daphne. "I won!"

"Good job! You beat Nana Kitty by about four steps."

"Yes!" Daphne agreed. "And I was only running on three legs!"

***

Daphne currently has a crush on the moon. (Or, I should say, it's a phase she's going through...) She was looking through a calendar that gave moon phases, and now chatters about crescents and gibbous and full moons. Somewhere along the line she discovered the concept of a Blue Moon, that is, two full moons in one month. Furthermore, the next Blue Moon is in August, her birthmonth. And in 2018, there will be two Blue Moons in the year! I don't think I'm communicating the depth of excitement and fascination going on here. Suffice to say that after a day's conversation with Daphne, this song is running a path through my head:



***

According to Addi: Since a new moon is the opposite of a blue moon, then two new moons in one month should be called an Orange Moon.

***
Stuart has joined cub scouts. He's taken to it as if it's been the desire of his heart ever since, I don't know, birth. His Webelos II troop has just formed patrols. He came home and said that their patrol name is The Dancing Bananas. He wasn't thrilled with the choice, but if he'd been in charge, he'd have probably named it The Protoss Zerglings of Terran. That's from Starcraft, for the 98% of the population who doesn't know that. At least most people have some idea of what a Dancing Banana would look like.

***
Stuart doesn't like it when we say he likes Starfall instead of Starcraft.

-- SJ