The Real Christmas Spirit

My Brother and his wife are spending the year in Africa as missionaries working in a Children's Hospital. I recieve emails from them often explaining the wide array of expereinces that only a year in Africa can bring.  I am so humbled every time I hear from them about what is going on over there. I respect them so much. I wanted to share a little bit of their heart for you all to read. They are an inspiration. This is an excerpt from an email my sister in law Corrie sent me: 

"Oh that we would look at people and love them for who they are, not how much money they have or what social class they come from. Our awesome God has no preference. He loves the world. Every tribe, tongue, and nation will come to know the Lord because of his Great love and His Mighty Power. The dancing and singing I saw today reminded me of what Heaven will be like!"

"When you are sitting around your trees with friends and family, enjoying all of the celebration, remember to meditate and rejoice in knowing that the Greatest Gift we can ever recieve is JESUS. There are 660 patients and family members at teh Hospital who came to know the savior this year. The Gospel message of God's love has become a reality to so many people here. We thank you for your prayers that have gone out for us and the people we are serving. Oh that they would know theunconditional love that was poured out on humanity, the Father's one and only son coming to earth as a baby in a manger, to the death of our savior on the cross, to His ressurection power and the fact that Jesus is the ONE AND ONLY LIVING SAVIOR desiring a relationship with us! That is the perfect gift."

Happy "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" Holidays

As we approach Christmas, I have really been grappling with being "Green". (To be honest, the only reason I am aware that "Being Green" has nothing to do with the Kermit the Frog song is from my wife.) Regardless, attaining a environmentally freindly attitude towards life is freaking hard. However, I feel that is essential to begin to change our ways. What does it mean on Christmas if we give all we have to others and yet take and take and take from our earth without even thinking about the consequences it may cause for our children's children. My wife and I are really trying to do a better job of being green. It is so hard. I find myself feeling guilty everytime I hop in my Toyota Four Runner. But there are some things all of us can do this holiday season to help make a little difference. For instance, we are not wrapping presents in wrapping paper this year, but rather finding old gift bags or recycled newspapers. 

What really happens to all that wrapping paper anyway (It gets torn off in two seconds and then thrown into a big bag in the middle of the room...unless you are OCD and neatly unfold the present and save the tape.) We still suck in so many other ways, but sometimes it is a slow process to really begin to change. 

There are really so many little things I am going to try this holiday to get my "Green" on...

This article is from Eli's school's newsletter regarding ways to begin the change in mentality. It really struck me: "Providing the Golden Rule of environmental sustainability...Do unto future generations as you would have then do unto you"

or this article in Newsweek: How to Have A Green Christmas

I want to make this the hap, hap, happiest Christmas since Bing Crosby tapdanced with Danny Kaye...

Feed Just One

Do any of us have spare change laying around after we go to Starbucks or hit up the arcade. Check out this site: Feed Just One.  

...If you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame."

Isaiah 58:10-11

MARGARON

You are kidding me..I never knew my last name was pronounced like this...

MARGARON

Hope

Every so often I want to show highlights of my favorite comedian currently: Andy Samberg

I hope he can brighten your day.

The Melody of the Moustache

While in college, my buddies and I formed a band. We only released one song. The name of our band and song were the same: "Stache Wednesday". It was a brilliant melodic tune that spoke for our generation. A generation lost without it's prominent moustaches. For too long we dabbled in Goatees, Soul Patches, and the full grown beard. This trend seems to be changing. With Ryan Gosling's recent nomination for a SAG award for best actor in a leading role (Lars and the Real Girl), we are finally seeing a return to the days of our father's facial hair (He also has a sweet jacket rocking here).  Before I totally digress, I want to get back to the real point of what I am trying to say here, and no it is not about Sam Elliot. My true point is that moustaches are not only back, they may be cool. Check out these characters...

Now I realize that I am not the first person to comment on the moustache. But I may be the first one to realize that not only are moustaches back, but there may be something more to them. The mystique may carry more than just sexy swagger and uncompromised toughness and leadership. A good moustache just may give people who never a had a voice before something to sing about...This guy is seriously messed up. What is going on here? Really weird.

My question to you: How do people spend their time?

Best Songs of 2007

Here is my list of some of the best songs of 2007. I am entering my late 20's, which means my taste in music is starting to significantly change. I am enjoying the music that most often fits the mood of where I am at for the day. This often consists of mellow tunes for lazy days. There are three lists. 1) Songs you can't miss. 2) Songs worth exploring, and 3) Songs that are only for the adventurous who are willing to take a chance.

Songs you can't miss (These Songs are so good that if you haven't heard them yet, you really are missing out on the greater things in life. Each one for a different mood):

1) Chicago X 12 - Rogue Wave 

(I loved listening to this song while training for my half marathon this summer).

2) Oh My God, Whatever, Etc. - Ryan Adams 

(Try listening to this and not liking it...I dare you. Song for a cold night with a fire going)

3) Twilight - Future of Forrestry 

(Take a long drive and put this on repeat.)

4) Lifeline - Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals 

(Classic Harper...simple and elegant)

5) Spilt Needles - The Shins 

(I had been looking forward to this album for quite a long time. When I first listened to Wincing The Night Away, I was intrigued with the experimentation, yet pleasantly surprised. This was song that stuck out immediately and has never left my rotation of favorites all year.)

6) Here It Goes - Jimmy Eat World 

(Not as good as any single song on Clarity, but try to sit still when this is blasting through your speakers. A new generation of Jimmy for you)

7) Time to Send Someone Away - Jose Gonzalez

(I absolutely think this is the greatest find of music in a long, long time. He is so smooth, yet full of emotion. His previous album Veneer is even better, however, there are some true gems on In Our Nature as well. Another unbelievable song is Cycling Trivialities.)

8) Carousel - Iron and Wine

(I imagine this song playing at some introspective moment in a movie defining our generation. The moment would surely be more then memorable)

9) Roscoe (Acoustic Version) -Midlake

(I don't know how to explain how good this song is. The more I listen to this song, the more I think of Westen Michigan in Winter as the sun sets over Icy Lake Michigan.

2: Songs Worth Exploring (Not to be overlooked, yet might be for certain refined tastes)

10) Knights - Minus the Bear

(It's not that typical)

11) Green Gloves - The National

(Something about this guy's voice is just haunting. It makes you want to sit in the dark corner booth in a smoky room and sit with your friends in silence enjoying the fact that everyone is around, but no one is saying a word.

12) Good to Sea - Pinback

(Classic Pinback beat, catchy and smooth)

13) The Underdog - Spoon

(What rock music should always be)

14) Outside - Aqualung

(Where did these guys come from, great sweeping melody)

15) Valentine's Day - Linkin Park

(Best Song on an underrated album. When running to this song I find that I have gone from a slow jog to a dead sprint without even knowing it.)

16) & 17)The Unwinding Cable Car & FIN - Anberlin

(This is a correlation of salvation of love...with quiet words it leads you in)

Songs that are only for the adventurous:

18) Nantes - Beirut

(Quite possibly my favorite song of the year. The chorus is so great. The music is excellent, but you gotta believe you are riding on a train through the Czech Republic to truly appreciate this.

19)Harmonium - Rogue Wave

(Takes a while to get started, but keeps you interested throughout)

20)Waiting All Day - Silverchair

(I don't know how an Australian Rock Band sing a folky rock tune with a falsetto chorus, but they do. Awesome tune)

21)Videotape - Radiohead

(Beautiful piano at the outset of this song. Thom Yorke never fails to amaze me. I will listen to anything he does. I don't care. Then again, I like Amnesiac)

22) Song For the Clay (Dissapear Here) - Bloc Party

(When the beat kicks in...you can't help but move something)

23) Somewhere between the Waking and Sleeping - Air

(The title of this song says it all)

And that is it for now. There are so many great songs from the year, but these particular ones stuck out to me. Here are some videos from Jose Gonzalez. He is so good...

Top Ten Albums of 2007

Here is my annual list of my favorite albums of the year. I hope you all enjoy. I will later give a list of top ten songs many of which are from these albums.

1. The Shins - Wincing The Night Away

2. Iron and Wine - The Shepherd's Dog

3. Rogue Wave - Asleep At Heaven's Gate

4. Beirut - The Flying Club Cup

5. Future of Forrestry - Twilight

6. Jose Gonzalez - In Our Nature

7. Pinback - Autumn of The Seraphs

8. Ryan Adams - Easy Tiger

9. The National - Boxer

10. Anberlin - Cities

Honorable Mention:

Ben Harper and The Innocent Criminals - Lifeline

Midlake - Oak and Julian EP

Band of Horses - Cease to Begin

Minus The Bear - Planet of Ice

The Beginning

Here goes something...

I am finally starting a blog again. I did one with some buddies for a while called Men of Passion. You can check it out: Menofpassion@blogspot.com.   It was very enjoyable, but slowly faded away. I have been inspired by so many other wonderful blogs that I have been reading and am ready to start again with my own. 

I guess people might be interested in what I have to say. If not for anything else people will be able to check out what is going on in mine and Eli's life. 

I think I will also post thoughts on music, movies, books, and sports. Alright, it begins....

Here is a pic of my daughter and I from this summer.