I Read The News Today Oh Boy

Anyone who know really knows me, knows that I am a Beatle nut. I have been since I was about 10 years old. Any other Beatle nuts know that my title to this blog was taken from the first line to "A Day In The Life'". I was thinking of all that we hear in the news today. Economy, wars, murders, local crime, sports, a feel good story here and there. Then my brain wandered to, what was the news in Bethlehem when Jesus was born? I was also thinking of how did God choose to announce the birth of His Son?

Although I really don't know what the news was in Bethlehem when Jesus was born. I am often puzzled as to how God chose to announce the birth of His Son. Today when you have a big announcement you have a press conference, you try to get as many people as you can to be informed about the news you have. But God didn't do that. He could have done anything to get the world's attention. He could have made to where the whole world would have known that His Son was born, but He didn't.

The only ones who knew were, Mary and Joseph, and basically it was only announced to some men who weren't even from the country who had to follow a star and some shepherds in a field.

Isn't that just like God though? We often want Him to make a big splash." Do something that will make us believe" is what the people of Jesus' day said. Yet basically God tells us there is enough evidence already.

When I think of Mary and Joseph, the wise men, and the shepherds and what was common for each of them. I realize that they each had to exercise faith with the information they were given. They each had to choose to believe that the information that they were told was true.

One example would be Mary and Joseph. Wouldn't you think that if you were carrying God's Son, that God would make sure He was born in the best place possible, that there would be no obstacles to overcome? Yet it was the complete opposite for them. They couldn't find a place to stay. They wind up in a manger. Although it makes for a nice Nativity scene and a nice Christmas song, how many of you would like to have your child born outside in a manger? Especially if you thought God was on your side.

Yet, this is how it is for us. We often think a life of following God means easy street, but it doesn't. We still have obstacles, but He is with us in the midst of the obstacles. During this season although there is much to make people happy, this is also a time when we get discouraged or feel down. Let's remember that God is with us. Through the good times and the bad. You may be right in the middle of God's will and yet still experiencing obstacles. Just remember the same was true for Mary and Joseph.

Finally I would like us to think about the person who was in control of the inn. The Bible tells us that there was no room at the inn for them. Think of how the person who was in charge of the inn could have had the Son of God at his inn. Now let's realize he didn't know at the time that the woman who was about to give birth was going to give birth to the Son of God. But just good will should have made him let a pregnant woman come in to give birth to her baby.

I see again another way in which God acts. He often gives us an opportunity to do the right thing. Our part is to recognize the situation. We need to take time to think when those situations come around (which usually aren't convenient) "maybe God is in this?" Maybe He is giving us an opportunity to be blessed by Him.

When we think of Mary and Joseph, the shepherds, and the wise men, let's remember God was blessing ordinary, everyday people like you and me. They hadn't done anything to earn God's favor. God just blessed them.


Was there any news announced when Jesus was born? Just Angels announcing it to shepherds. Wise men from another country. It is interesting that the Angel uses the word news to the shepherds. Shepherds,once again God going against what we would think. God announcing this news to common people.In fact they were thought of low class people. Yet it was to them who God announced this great news to.

8 In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. 10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid ; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people ; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 "This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." 13 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased."
Luke 2:8-14


Had the angels written a song about the news they may have said," We heard the news today oh boy."

 So let's celebrate the birth of Jesus this Christmas. Let's remember that He has come to bless, and is blessing, ordinary people like you and me. Let's remember that He came to live among everyday, ordinary people like you and me. Let's remember that He offers eternal life to everyday ordinary people like you and me.

Troy

Christmas Music

I love Christmas. No, I mean it, I love Christmas. With this love of Christmas comes a love of Christmas music. I love Christmas and the music associated it with it so much that I start listening to Christmas music the day after halloween. Yep, if you see me on November 1st sometime during that day I have probably started listening to Christmas music.

I would like to share with you some of my favorite Christmas Cd's. These are cd's that I can listen to each track on the cd from start to finish. There are many great Christmas songs. There are many enjoyable Christmas cd's. But some of the cd's have songs that I'll skip over. The cd's on my list are cd's that I can listen to all the way through without skipping a track. I would also like to add that I am just listing cd's that I enjoy. I'm not making the list based on some artistic level. Just pure enjoyment. I have provided YouTube links where available.

So here we go in no particular order:

1. Tommy Walker: This Is What Christmas Means To Me.
Tommy has some really good arrangements of some Christmas classics. Songs like Silent Night and Go Tell It On The Mountain. On many of the songs he has added little parts to each song. He also has some originals on this collection. If you were looking for some songs to sing at church nearly every song on this collection would work.

2. James Taylor: At Christmas.
This cd came out a couple of years ago and I have constantly listened to it. Some Monk harmonies thrown in on Santa Claus Is Comin To Town, Joni Mitchell's River and Winter Wonderland are all enjoyable. But my favorite tracks are Some Children See Him, Who Comes This Night and In The Bleak Midwinter. They have great chord progressions.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWQkhMGejLc In The Bleak Midwinter

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cg929aqfmy4 Santa Claus Is Comin To Town

3. Israel Houghton: A Timeless Christmas.
His version of The Nutcracker is worth the price of the cd. This cd is mixed well and funky from start to finish. Marcus Miller plays the bass clarinet on a track, Cc Winans makes a guest appearance as does her brother Marvin. Great musicianship all the way through this cd.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4YqVwcdLoU We Wish You A Timeless Christmas

4. Jazz For Joy: Various Artists
This is a wonderful cd of jazz interpretations of some of your favorite Christmas songs. Some of the artists on this cd include: Roy Hargrove, Shirley Horn, Betty Carter, Mark Whitfield and Nicholas Payton. This cd is more straight ahead jazz. If you are looking for some contemporary jazz I would recommend any of the Grp Christmas cd's.

5. Nicole C. Mullen: Christmas In Black And White
This is a cd that has some traditional Christmas songs (The Christmas Song which she does a duet with her father). It has some Christmas songs that you are familiar with that she has rearranged. (Away In The Manger becomes Sacred Night with a nice chord progression and a new chorus with a latin feel). There are also a few original songs. This cd also has my favorite version of O Come O Come Emmanuel. Nicole can get funky when she wants to and she can play it straight. This is very enjoyable listening.

6. Michael McDonald: In The Spirit
This cd has a few classic Christmas songs such as, White Christmas. It also has a duet with James Ingram on One Gift. It is typical Michael McDonald. If you have enjoyed his music over the years then you will enjoy the cd.

7. The Brooklyn Tabernacle: Christmas At The Brooklyn Tabernacle
The BTC has released four Christmas cd's. All of them are very enjoyable if you enjoy choir music. Their first Christmas cd was their weakest. They just released their fourth Christmas cd this year. The cd that I have named was their 2nd Christmas cd. There is a medley of familiar Christmas songs. There is also a bunch of original music. Many of these songs have become a part of my Christmas tradition.

8. Chris Isaak: Christmas
This is a cd for those of you who enjoy early rock and roll. He does Rudolph, Pretty Paper and others with that 1950's early 60's rock and roll sound. Of course he also does Blue Christmas.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41wtUbOo8ZI Chris Isaak Christmas

9. Bryan Duncan: Christmas Is Jesus
Bryan has an incredible voice. This is a cd that includes Please Come Home For Christmas, Grown Up Christmas List as well standards like I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day and Angels We Have Heard On High.

10. Kenny Loggins: December
Typical Kenny Loggins. He does favorites like, White Christmas and Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas. Newer Christmas songs, like Angels In The Snow and On Christmas Morning as well as the old classic, Coventry Carol
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFMM1cNDvPs


Here is a list of other Christmas Cd's that I enjoy:
Jazz:
Fourplay: Snowbound http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fo7EG_iTkk0
Oscar Peterson: An Oscar Peterson Christmas http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X__UUGK58-g&feature=related
Dave Koz: Dave Koz And Friends A Smooth Jazz Christmas http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4yHeptg5Gs
Cyrus Chestnut: A Charlie Brown Christmas
The Yellow Jackets: Peace Round http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97ChKilZy6k
Take 6: They have 3 Christmas Cd's all enjoyable http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9N1IMoV0VE

Blues
B.B. King: A Christmas Celebration Of Hope http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t467LmaVF58

Country:
Dwight Yoakam: Come On Christmas http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8jjwu0z81s&feature=related
B. J. Thomas: Christmas Is Coming Home

Others:
Casting Crowns: Peace On Earth http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7670CXvPX0
Natalie Grant: Believe http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UB3rZI73Zg
Fernando Ortega: Christmas Songs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciA2pMkvInQ
Chris Tomlin: Glory In The Highest http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPwNO9RtLJA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1L_X10hy1x0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gy29mQfiavg
Al Green: Feels Like Christmas http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFeY_ZLARZM
Jars Of Clay: Christmas Songs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5Fm-uZxMD4
Yolanda Adams: Christmas With Yolanda http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdEjLvQWfQk
This is just a short list. I didn't even mention some of my favorite Christmas songs that may be on a cd that I didn't mention. I would be interested in hearing from you as to what your favorite Christmas CD's are.
I hope you get a chance to listen to your Christmas favorites this year.

Troy

Hope Is Dangerous

Have you ever hoped for something? Have you ever hoped for something, only to have it not turn out how you had hoped? What was your reaction? Has it happened more than once? Sadly after a few times of having hope in something and not having it turn out people begin to lose hope, or even eventually give up on hope. We don't enjoy being disappointed over and over. My heart goes out to those who have experienced disappointment after disappointment.

Many like to go through life without having to hope in something, or someone. When you live this way, you don't have to worry about being disappointed. But on the other hand, think of those who live with hope. Think of the endless possibilities for them just by having hope. Sure risk is involved. You may get disappointed, but you may also get what you desired. The Message translation of the Bible says," Unrelenting disappointment leaves you heartsick, but a sudden good break can turn life around." (Proverbs 13:12)

You can see why hope is dangerous. If you want to exercise it, the outcome may lead to disappointment or fulfillment. We like a sure thing. But life doesn't usually work that way.

Think back on some of the best things that have happened in your life. For many of them a risk was involved. And in that risk you exercised hope.

God is wanting us to have hope while the devil is wanting to take away our hope. The choice is ours as to which way we live. Hope is dangerous because it leaves us open to the possibility to disappointment, but it also the way to realizing your dreams. No matter how discouraged we may get at times, it is important to cling to hope. Our Heavenly Father is known as the God of hope.

I would like to end with some verses from the Bible on hope.

For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
Romans 15:4

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life.
Proverbs 13:12

This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. The LORD'S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail.
Lamentations 3:21,22

For I hope in You, O LORD; You will answer, O Lord my God.
Psalm 38:15

Troy