Sometimes Christmas music can get really annoying. You know...same songs year after year...and never any other time. But there are some really good, fresh songs out there, too, so here goes my favorites list (in no particular order, except the one in which I thought of them).
1. Mary Did You Know? - Mark Lowry
2. Celebrate the Day - Relient K
3. Mary's Song - Amy Grant
4. Joseph's Song - Michael Card (this one is particularly moving for Billy)
5. O Come, Emmanuel - arr. Billy Chia
6. You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch - recorded by New Song
And the #1 Christmas Album of all time is....
A Cabbage Patch Christmas
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Cheeseburger in Paradise
Labels:
Reviews
Last night, Billy and I got to spend a little time together away from the house and without the girls. My mom babysits the girls once a week so that I can either clean or have a date with the hottest man alive.
This week was date night.
We never really know what to do, so we usually end up at Starbucks, which is fine, but last night, we decided to hit up Cheeseburger in Paradise.
I hadn't been too eager to go previously because I'm quite an anti-fan of Jimmy Buffet. But I'm also quite picky about restaurant food, and since no other place sounded appetizing, we thought trying something new could be fun.
I was starting to regret it when we walked in and saw fish painted everywhere. I hadn't thought about the abundance of seafood in a place like this, and I cringed, hoping to find something I liked.
Our server was Irl, a friend of Billy's from the worship team at church. He made a slew of recommendations, and I ordered the Chicken Satay.
I am now in love with Cheeseburger in Paradise.
This chicken was so amazing, but it was also the Coconut Curry dipping sauce that sealed the deal.
I highly recommend you try out the joint if you've got one near you.
YUM!
This week was date night.
We never really know what to do, so we usually end up at Starbucks, which is fine, but last night, we decided to hit up Cheeseburger in Paradise.
I hadn't been too eager to go previously because I'm quite an anti-fan of Jimmy Buffet. But I'm also quite picky about restaurant food, and since no other place sounded appetizing, we thought trying something new could be fun.
I was starting to regret it when we walked in and saw fish painted everywhere. I hadn't thought about the abundance of seafood in a place like this, and I cringed, hoping to find something I liked.
Our server was Irl, a friend of Billy's from the worship team at church. He made a slew of recommendations, and I ordered the Chicken Satay.
I am now in love with Cheeseburger in Paradise.
This chicken was so amazing, but it was also the Coconut Curry dipping sauce that sealed the deal.
I highly recommend you try out the joint if you've got one near you.
YUM!
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Sarah McLachlan and the Spiritual Journey
Labels:
Reviews
Though Sarah McLachlan, has never publicily claimed a religion, her songs have been infused with spirituality from the beginning, and her continual popularity speaks volumes to the spiritual seeking of my generation.
As years went on in McLachlan's song creation, the spirituality coming through sometimes became more religious, including a beautiful rendition of "The Prayer of St. Francis." Also, some more Christ-centered Christmas songs, such as "What Child is This," appeared on her Wintersong album last Christmas.
Some of the songs that have spoken most deeply to me and played a part in forming some of my own theologies are "Full of Grace" from Surfacing and "Fallen" from Afterglow.
Other songs have reinforced convictions and turned into their own posts right here on this very blog.
In fact, I would unabashedly say that the most uplifting spiritual songs that I have depended on have come from Sarah McLachlan.
So, it was strange to hear her "newest" single, which was re-released on the House soundtrack a couple of months ago. This single was originally released in 1996 on Rarities, B-Sides & Other Stuff.
In a cover of the XTC song, "Dear God," McLachlan's message is emphatically one of anger and hatred toward the Creator she'd often shown reverence for. And while her version is far superior to the original, it's a confusing choice of song.
I'd love to hear her spiritual story, wouldn't you?
As years went on in McLachlan's song creation, the spirituality coming through sometimes became more religious, including a beautiful rendition of "The Prayer of St. Francis." Also, some more Christ-centered Christmas songs, such as "What Child is This," appeared on her Wintersong album last Christmas.
Some of the songs that have spoken most deeply to me and played a part in forming some of my own theologies are "Full of Grace" from Surfacing and "Fallen" from Afterglow.
Other songs have reinforced convictions and turned into their own posts right here on this very blog.
In fact, I would unabashedly say that the most uplifting spiritual songs that I have depended on have come from Sarah McLachlan.
So, it was strange to hear her "newest" single, which was re-released on the House soundtrack a couple of months ago. This single was originally released in 1996 on Rarities, B-Sides & Other Stuff.
In a cover of the XTC song, "Dear God," McLachlan's message is emphatically one of anger and hatred toward the Creator she'd often shown reverence for. And while her version is far superior to the original, it's a confusing choice of song.
I'd love to hear her spiritual story, wouldn't you?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
