Tuesday, July 24, 2007

"Praise to the Lord, the Almighty"

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!
O my soul, praise Him, for He is your health and salvation!
Let all who hear
Now to His temple draw near,
Joining in glad adoration!

Praise to the Lord, who o'er all things is wondrously reigning
And, as on wings of an eagle, uplifting, sustaining.
Have you not seen
All that is needful has been
Sent by His gracious ordaining?

Praise to the Lord, who has fearfully, wondrously made you,
Health has bestowed and, when heedlessly falling, has stayed you.
What need or grief
Ever has failed of relief?
Wings of His mercy did shade you.

Praise to the Lord, who will prosper your work and defend you;
Surely His goodness and mercy shall daily attend you.
Ponder anew
What the Almighty can do
As with His love He befriends you.

Praise to the Lord! O let all that is in me adore Him!
All that has life and breath, come now with praises before Him!
Let the Amen
Sound from His people again;
Gladly forever adore Him!

Text: Joachim Neander; tr. Catherine Winkworth
Tune: Ander Theil Des Erneuerten Gesang-Buchs, Stralsund

Though there are many hymns I love, this is my favorite hymn. It speaks so clearly of the God we have--Who is our health and salvation, Who reigns over all things and sustains all things, Who defends us and daily attends us with His love and mercy. Awesome! V. 4 is my favorite verse.

Saturday, July 21, 2007

Seinfeld


Seinfeld is one of my favorite TV shows. It is known as the show about nothing, but what I really dig about it, and what makes it so humorous, is that it focuses on those everyday things we can all relate to--like waiting forever in a restaurant when you're starving, like wanting to come up with perfect zinger and not being able to till the day after and so on. All the characters are funny though I think Elaine is my fav. The episodes I liked best were in the last couple seasons. Some favs include "The Susie," "The Nap," "The Pot Hole," The Merv Griffith Show" and "The Dealership."

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Einstein Bros. Bagels


I love bagels. And one of my favorite things about Einstein's is the cream cheese selection. What I've been getting lately at Einstein's is a Six Cheese Bagel with Jalapeno Salsa Cream Cheese. The sandwiches there are good too. I've had the Thai Chicken with Peanut Spread and the Cheese Steak Panini on Ciabatta. Delicious!
http://www.einsteinbros.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/Home.Main

Ben and Jerry's Cinnamon Buns Ice Cream

I like trying different flavors and thought this was interesting. I can't even begin to tell you how good this is. You have to experience it for yourself! "Caramel Ice Cream with Cinnamon Bun Dough & a Caramel Streusel Swirl."

Dad


My dad is a gentle and kind man who has always supported me. He gave me such an example by serving faithfully in the church (and is well respected by many for his work on evangelism committee). And he has a silly side such as when he used to make up stories when I was little about the creatures who lived in the big bush in our backyard including Boo Boo Kitty and Kookaburra. We now share a love of movies and going out to eat! Though we may not always have a lot to talk about, I know how proud he is of me and how much he loves me.

Saturday, July 14, 2007

Pit

This game is so much fun. I first played it at my homechurch many years ago at a game night. You try to corner the market on a certain commodity by getting all the same cards of a certain kind, for example all the corn cards or all the wheat cards. You keep trading cards with everyone to try to get all the cards you need, and you don't know what you're going to get in the trade. And if you end up with the Bear card in the end you lose points (and sometimes with the Bull card you do too). It's most fun with lots of players, and it gets kind of crazy! I've played with Gene and Jean and my mom and others, and we really get into it. We add our own touch in that whoever ends up with Bear card and the Bull card at the end of the hand has to make that animal sound.

They Will See His Face by Richard C. Eyer

I just re-read this book again. I love it more each time I read it. Richard Eyer speaks correctly about worship primarily as what God does for us through Word and Sacrament. He speaks of the healing that takes place through worship--healing of our anxiety, self-centeredness, guilt, loneliness, grief, and physical and intellectual sicknesses. This is a great book to go through with the congregation.

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

"Strong Enough" Sheryl Crow



Strong Enough
By Sheryl Crow
Best Video Codes


I have always loved this song. It's hard for me to pick a favorite song, but this would probably be in the top 5. I can't even explain why--I just dig it!

Thursday, July 5, 2007

Taste of Chicago

Every year toward the end of June, more than 60 restaurants set up booths in the Grant Park area and people flock to the area and stuff their faces. I have been one of the people who stuffs my face at Taste of Chicago for 11 years now. I love food, so of course I love this event! Some of the food I've had there through the years: pierogies, enchiladas, tacos, gyros, pizza, hummus, BBQ turkey wing, pad thai, sauteed goat, empanada, cheeseburger, samosa, baklava, cheesecake, merlot chocolate chip ice cream, sweet potato pie, churro... I could go on and on. I like going with someone and sharing taste portions, so more different items can be tried. In addition to all the food, there are a couple rides, entertainment, and some booths that give out freebies. This event is also special to me in that for 11 years straight, I have always met up with my friend Abigail at Taste one of the days it's going on. It's become such a fun tradition, and one I hope will continue for many many more years. This year had a record breaking opening day--over 310,000 people.