Christmas Music

This year at the D'Agosta family Christmas along with the task of baking cookies I have been given the intense task of making the mix cds. When you come from a family of musicians who each vehemently claim that their music taste is the only one that matters, to say this is a task is no exaggeration. Now, I have worked in retail for years and have had the pleasure of hearing some of the worst music out there (creed, I am speaking of you.) This year I have taken my task very seriously especially knowing that my cookies might be lacking and I need to step it up a notch this year.
Here you g. In no particular order, some music that does indeed, rock.

Sufjan Stevens the 4 disk Christmas album. -A warning, Sufjan is eclectic, it is perfect for your emo family members. For those of you not familiar with the term emo, it stands for emotional rock It typically involving eyeliner, by men. Yes, I also realize that this is an obvious choice that is why I put it out there early.

Beautiful Scandalous Night by the Robbie Sealy Band.

Chanticleer-I happen to enjoy choral music. There is something about a 4 part harmony that I love. I just get lost in it. They are not the best, but its free on itunes this week so i took them up on their offer.

Messiah Part II #44 hallelujah. Its Handels Messiah, it is like the steak of steak and eggs.

Mel Torme-Chestnuts roasting on the open fire.

Fools Rush In -Sinatra (Frank)

Bing Crosby

Steve Green

That is a taste of what will be playing. Any ideas to add? Always open for the suggestions.

for the soul

I realize that my postings have been more biblically based than humor lately. Jesus is moving in sweet ways in my life and this is where I am at. May you find encouragement.

Isaiah 26:3-4
" You keep him in perfect peace
whose mind is stayed on you,
because he trusts in you,
Trust in the Lord forever,
for the Lord God is an everlasting
rock."

Is 26: 8-9
"In the path of your judgments,
O Lord, we wait for you;
your name and remembrance are the desire of our soul.
My soul yearns for you in the night,
my spirit within me earnestly seeks you."

who by worrying

I have been working lately on a redeeming of my alone time. I am to often apt to spend it wandering aimlessly around bookstores buying more than I have time to read or just tossing in a movie. I have been making my way through the book of Luke as of late. In it I came across Luke 12 in which part of the chapter is dedicated to worry, this was quite timely.
My mind began to wonder back to a conversation I had about a week ago with a single friend of mine. She was lamenting this fact and began to talk about her fears and her future. It is amazing how sometimes the Lord can use us to speak the very truth we need to hear ourselves to one another, He is incredibly kind. As we talked I asked the questions "if you knew, for sure, that marriage is not what he has planned for you, what would you do with your life?" Her dreams for what she wants to do are incredible, she desires to change the world.
I was reflecting on that conversation along with trying to think of it in practical terms of my own life. Karla, you who are prone to wander, what would you want to do/what would you dream of if you were totally trusting your God? Worry is an area of sin for me. I want to be reassured, not forgotten, in control. These are the things that I would do and what I dream about.
-I want to see the poor find their rest in Christ
-I would talk to my family about Jesus with tears and pleading, that they would know and love him.
-I want to have kids and adopt. To raise my children to love and fear their God.
-I would support more missionaries
-sit in silence more, be still.
-listen, not be so quick to fill the silence.
-buy less...stuff.
-make more time for people

I am not even sure what I am trying to convey in this post. As I was trying to make this list the only thing I want that keeps coming to mind is, to be known by my God, to be found in him, to belong to him. I have been laboring under this illusion that worrying will add a day to my life, as if, if I don't worry who will. I have a father who will feed and clothe the sparrows, how much more does he love us. I suppose this entry is really just me preaching to my own soul, but I hope it can do some good for you also.