Ubi Caritas

PLAINCHANT:


POLYPHONY (DURUFLÉ):




Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est.
Congregavit nos in unum Christi amor.
Exultemus, et in ipso iucundemur.
Timeamus, et amemus Deum vivum.
Et ex corde diligamus nos sincero.

Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est.
Simul ergo cum in unum congregamur:
Ne nos mente dividamur, caveamus.
Cessent iurgia maligna, cessent lites.
Et in medio nostri sit Christus Deus.

Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est.
Simul quoque cum beatis videamus,
Glorianter vultum tuum, Christe Deus:
Gaudium quod est immensum, atque probum,
Saecula per infinita saeculorum. Amen.

Historical Information (Wikipedia)

Text: Plainchant, 9th century
Music: Plainchant, Mode VI

See my other blog postings in the plainchant series.

He Never Said A Mumbalin' Word (USA)

They crucified my Lord
And he never said a mumbalin word
They crucified my Lord.
And he never said a mumbalin' word
Not a word, not a word, not a word.

They nailed him to a tree

They pierced him in the side

The blood came trickalin' down

He bowed his head and died

Traditional African American Spiritual

You Are My Hiding Place (USA)

You are my hiding place
You always fill my heart
With songs of deliverance
Whenever I am afraid
I will trust in You

I will trust in You
Let the weak say
I am strong
In the strength of the Lord

Based on Psalm 32:7

Composer: Michael Ledner (1981)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) series.

Iwanna Wednesday - Easter Treats

I've been on a diet. Well...let me rephrase, not really a diet but a new eating plan. I've been dieting since I was 13 and I've tried them all! The only thing that has ever worked for me is reducing the amount of carbohydrates I eat. I learned this by doing the Atkins plan several years ago and also by taking the Curves Weight Training class.

I have a slow metabolism and it's been made even slower by the removal of my thyroid due to cancer. My endocrinologist told me I would either lose a lot of weight after my surgery or I would gain alot. So guess which happened to me? Yep, you guessed it, I gained weight, at least 20 pounds since the surgery.

Add to that the fact that my mom moved in with me a year ago and she feels; bless her heart, that her contribution to our household would be to always have dinner ready for me when I got home. Did I mention my mom is Mexican and that means Mexican food? Who can resist Mexican food? So needless to say I gained another 14 pounds!

So that's 34 pounds in the last two years! I finally decided enough is enough and I'm now doing the low carb/high protein diet that I know works for me. (Just something I thought was funny...as I am writing this post there's a knock on the door and it's a young girl selling Snicker Bars for her school...in a huge box! Snickers, my favorite! Ironic isn't it? I didn't buy any.)

I've been doing really well on my new eating plan. I've lost eight pounds already. Besides watching my carbs I'm also playing tennis, riding my stationery bike and climbing the stairs at work. Also lots of yardwork for exercise.

So what does all this have to do with Iwanna Wednesday? The day I can want anything? Well I would love to be a size 6 but how much fun would that be for you to read if I just said what Iwanna today is to be a size 6, thank you for coming and good night?

So what Iwanna today is some treats. Easter Treats! Don't we all love all those yummy, ooey, gooey Easter delights?

One of my favorites is the Peep. I love Peeps, any color. Be it the little chick or the bunny I love Peeps. You can get them for several other holidays now as well, but they only tempt me at Easter. Don't you love the one yellow one in this picture amongst all the blue, purple and pink ones?

And what's Easter without the famous Chocolate Bunny? And this Bunny is even more special as he comes from my favorite candy store, Dewars Ice Cream and Fine Candy Shop. Located only in Bakersfield; it's a local tradition.

Iwanna also to have some Jelly Beans. I love them. Especially the Jelly Belly ones that are all mixed up in the bag and you never know what flavor your going to get. I always remember my mom would buy jelly beans at Easter and I loved the black ones, which was great cause no one else liked them, so they were all MINE!

And they didn't have the Reese's Peanut Butter eggs when I was a little girl, but they have them now! And I love them. Chocolate and Peanut Butter...is there anything better? My mouth is watering!

This next one has always been my kids favorite...the Cadbury Cream Egg. I've always loved the one that has the yellow goo in the middle, my kids prefer just the plain ones.

I remember the little foiled wrapped ones from my childhood. I loved to let them semi-melt and the just pop the whole thing in my mouth, foil and all and suck all the chocolate out of it. Disgustingly wonderful the things we did as children isn't it?

And you know what I love? I love this time of year when Hershey's Kisses changes the foil color for Easter.

Mmmmmmm! Iwanna have lots of these at Easter. Which one's are your favorite? Or do you make some special treat at Easter?

Pange Lingua Gloriosi

Pange lingua gloriosi
Corporis mysterium,
Sanguinisque pretiosi,
quem in mundi pretium
fructus ventris generosi
Rex effudit Gentium.

Nobis datus, nobis natus
ex intacta Virgine,
et in mundo conversatus,
sparso verbi semine,
sui moras incolatus
miro clausit ordine.

In supremae nocte coenae
recumbens cum fratribus
observata lege plene
cibis in legalibus,
cibum turbae duodenae
se dat suis manibus.

Verbum caro, panem verum
verbo carnem efficit:
fitque sanguis Christi merum,
et si sensus deficit,
ad firmandum cor sincerum
sola fides sufficit.

Tantum ergo Sacramentum
veneremur cernui:
et antiquum documentum
novo cedat ritui:
praestet fides supplementum
sensuum defectui.

Genitori, Genitoque
laus et jubilatio,
salus, honor, virtus quoque
sit et benedictio:
Procedenti ab utroque
compar sit laudatio. Amen.

Historical Information (Wikipedia)

Words: Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)

See my other blog postings in the plainchant series.



Tune: Plainchant, Mode III

Old Rugged Cross

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suffering and shame;
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.

Refrain

So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.

O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above
To bear it to dark Calvary. (Refrain)

In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
A wondrous beauty I see,
For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
To pardon and sanctify me. (Refrain)

To the old rugged cross I will ever be true;
Its shame and reproach gladly bear;
Then He’ll call me some day to my home far away,
Where His glory forever I’ll share. (Refrain)

Historical Information (Wikipedia)

Composer: George Bennard (1913)

As the Deer Panteth for the Water (USA)

As the deer panteth for the water
So my soul longeth after thee
You alone are my hearts desire
And I long to worship thee

Chorus

You alone are my strength my shield
To You alone may my spirit yield
You alone are my hearts desire
And I long to worship thee

You're my friend and You are my brother,
Even though you are a king.
I love you more thank any other,
So much more than anything. (Chorus)

Based on Psalm 42:1

Composer: Martin J. Nystrom (1984)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) series.

Stabat Mater Dolorosa

PLAINCHANT:




POLYPHONY (PALESTRINA):

Stabat mater dolorosa
juxta Crucem lacrimosa,
dum pendebat Filius.

Cuius animam gementem,
contristatam et dolentem
pertransivit gladius.

O quam tristis et afflicta
fuit illa benedicta,
mater Unigeniti!

Quae moerebat et dolebat,
pia Mater, dum videbat
nati poenas inclyti.

Quis est homo qui non fleret,
matrem Christi si videret
in tanto supplicio?

Quis non posset contristari
Christi Matrem contemplari
dolentem cum Filio?

Pro peccatis suae gentis
vidit Iesum in tormentis,
et flagellis subditum.

Vidit suum dulcem Natum
moriendo desolatum,
dum emisit spiritum.

Eia, Mater, fons amoris
me sentire vim doloris
fac, ut tecum lugeam.

Fac, ut ardeat cor meum
in amando Christum Deum
ut sibi complaceam.

Sancta Mater, istud agas,
crucifixi fige plagas
cordi meo valide.

Tui Nati vulnerati,
tam dignati pro me pati,
poenas mecum divide.

Fac me tecum pie flere,
crucifixo condolere,
donec ego vixero.

Juxta Crucem tecum stare,
et me tibi sociare
in planctu desidero.

Virgo virginum praeclara,
mihi iam non sis amara,
fac me tecum plangere.

Fac, ut portem Christi mortem,
passionis fac consortem,
et plagas recolere.

Fac me plagis vulnerari,
fac me Cruce inebriari,
et cruore Filii.

Flammis ne urar succensus,
per te, Virgo, sim defensus
in die iudicii.

Christe, cum sit hinc exire,
da per Matrem me venire
ad palmam victoriae.

Quando corpus morietur,
fac, ut animae donetur
paradisi gloria. Amen.

Historical Information (Wikipedia)

Text: Jacopone da Todi (1230-1306)

See my other blog postings in the plainchant series.

Jesus Keep Me Near The Cross (USA)

Jesus, keep me near the cross;
there a precious fountain,
free to all, a healing stream,
flows from Calvary's mountain.

Refrain:

In the cross, in the cross,
be my glory ever,
till my raptured soul shall find
rest beyond the river.

Near the cross, a trembling soul,
love and mercy found me;
there the bright and morning star
sheds its beams around me. (Refrain)

Near the cross! O Lamb of God,
bring its scenes before me;
help me walk from day to day
with its shadow o'er me. (Refrain)

Near the cross I'll watch and wait,
hoping, trusting ever,
till I reach the golden strand
just beyond the river. (Refrain)

Text: Fanny J. Crosby, 1820-1915
Music: NEAR THE CROSS, 76.76+Refrain William H. Doane, 1832-1915

Thy Word Is A Lamp Unto My Feet (USA)

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet
And a light unto my path.
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet
And a light unto my path.

When I feel afraid,
And think I've lost my way.
Still, you're there right beside me.
Nothing will I fear
As long as you are near;
Please be near me to the end.

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet
And a light unto my path.
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet
And a light unto my path.

I will not forget
Your love for me and yet,
My heart forever is wandering.
Jesus by my guide,
And hold me to your side,
And I will love you to the end.

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet
And a light unto my path.
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet
And a light unto my path.
And a light unto my path.
You're the light unto my path.

Based on Psalm 119:105

Text: Amy Grant (1984)
Music: Michael W. Smith (1984)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) series.

Elephant Seals of Big Sur, California

Last weekend my daughter April and I and my grand-puppy Chorizo took a day trip to the coast, which is about 2 hours from Shafter. I've been to Pismo, Morro Bay, Cambria, Cayucos, Avila Beach, all those little coastal towns a million few times, but I'd never been to Elephant Seal Beach at Piedras Blancas in the southern range of Big Sur, near San Simeon. Count on April to show me something new, she loves to explore and visit new places.

She took me to a wonderful spot on scenic Hwy 1 to Elephant Seal Beach. Why I had never known this place existed is beyond me!

First off, the drive from Morro Bay to Elephant Seal Beach is gorgeous. Hwy 1 is known for it's beautiful ocean and mountain scenery. It seemed like the temperature changed every 5 miles. First it's foggy and overcast and cold then all of a sudden it's sunny and green and gorgeous. The drive alone was worth going.

But what was really amazing is that there is a small strip of beach known as a Rookery where these fascinating mammals come to birth, breed, molt and rest. Depending on the time of year that you are there you can watch  the males battle for breeding rights, you can watch seals give birth, and you can watch them sun themselves on the beach.

That's what we witnessed, the sunning on the beach, and it was awesome! I couldn't believe it when I first saw them. They looked like dead lumps of flesh that had washed up on the beach. But as we got closer we saw that they moved. The most hilarious part is while they lay there on the beach every once in a while they flip sand onto themselves with their flippers. There are several signs along the beach explaining facts about these seals and they say that while they don't know for sure why they flip sand it's probably to keep themselves cool from the sun blazing down upon them. (Click to enlarge)

It was so funny to watch them. When they moved they kind of just bounced around on the beach to get to where they wanted to go, not that they ever went very far. My daughter April said that other times when she has been there the beach is so packed with seals that you can't even see the sand!

If you ever get the chance, please visit this beach, it's worth it and if you have kids they will love it! We only had Chorizo and she loved it as you can tell in the mosaic below. If you would like more information I found a great website that gives lots of details and has an awesome slide show. It's from the Friends of the Elephant Seal and you can visit it here.  (click to enlarge)

And the view is awesome as you can see in the mosaic above. Chorizo just didn't know what to think. She would look at her momma and then back at the seals and you can tell she was just overwhelmed by all the different ocean smells. She loved it! She's a true water dog.

Linking up to Little Red House Mosaic Monday hosted by Mary. Please click here to visit all the other lovely mosaics.

Vexilla Regis Prodeunt

Vexilla Regis prodeunt;
Fulget Crucis mysterium,
Quo carne carnis conditor
Suspensus est patibulo.

Confixa clavis viscera
Tendens manus, vestigia,
Redemptionis gratia
Hic immolata est Hostia.

Quo vulneratus insuper
Mucrone diro lanceae,
Ut nos lavaret crimine,
Manavit unda et sanguine.

Impleta sunt quae concinit
David fideli carmine,
Dicendo nationibus:
Regnavit a ligno Deus.

Arbor decora et fulgida,
Ornata Regis purpura,
Electa digno stipite
Tam sancta membra tangere.

Beata, cuius brachiis
Pretium pependit saeculi:
Statera facta corporis,
Praedam tulitque tartari.

Fundis aroma cortice,
Vincis sapore nectare,
Iucunda fructu fertili
Plaudis triumpho nobili.

Salve, ara, salve, victima,
De passionis gloria,
Qua vita mortem pertulit
Et morte vitam reddidit.

O Crux ave, spes unica,
Hoc Passionis tempore!
Piis adauge gratiam,
Reisque dele crimina.

Te, fons salutis Trinitas,
Collaudet omnis spiritus:
Quos per Crucis mysterium
Salvas, fove per saecula. Amen.

Background Historical Information (Wikipedia)

Composer: Venantius Fortunatus (c. 530-c. 600/609)

See my other blog postings in the plainchant series.

Were You There When They Crucified My Lord? (USA)

Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?

Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?

Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?

Were you there when God raised him from the tomb?
Were you there when God raised him from the tomb?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when God raised him from the tomb?

Traditional African American Spiritual

He Will Carry You (USA)

There is no problem too big
God cannot solve it
There is no mountain too tall
He cannot move it
There is not storm too dark
God cannot calm it
There is no sorrow too deep
He cannot soothe it

If He carried the weight of the world upon His shoulders
I know, my brother that He will carry you
If He carried the weight of the world upon His shoulders
I know, my sister that He will carry you

He said come on to me all who are weary
And I will give you rest

Composer: Scott Wesley Brown (1982)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) series.

Beneath the Cross of Jesus (Scotland)

Beneath the cross of Jesus
I gladly take my stand,
the shadow of a mighty rock
within a weary land;
a home within the wilderness,
a rest upon the way,
from the burning of the noontide heat,
and the burden of the day.

Upon that cross of Jesus
mine eye at times can see
the very dying form of One
who suffered there for me;
and from my stricken heart with tears
two wonders I confess:
the wonders of redeeming love
and my unworthiness.

I take, O cross, thy shadow
for my abiding place;
I ask no other sunshine than
the sunshine of his face;
content to let the world go by,
to know no gain nor loss,
my sinful self my only shame,
my glory all the cross.

Text: Elizabeth C. Clephane, 1872
Tune: Tune: ST. CHRISTOPHER, 76.86.86.86 ( Frederick C. Maker, 1881)

Sunday Favorites - Germs!

Sunday Favorites! Love this meme cause then I don't have to worry about what to write. I can just go through my older posts and pick one that calls out to me. Sometimes I read one and can't believe I wrote it.

Please enjoy my germy post below that was first posted on November 8, 2008 and then visit Chari over at Happy to Design to see what other gems bloggers are sharing. Happy Sunday!

Favorite Post from November 8, 2009
            Germaphobe? Me?

I'll admit it. I don't worry about germs very much. I love my house to be clean and my workstation at work and I wash my hands a million times when I'm cooking or applying makeup; but for the most part, when I walk out the door I don't see germs and parasites lurking everywhere.

I know people that carry baby wipes in their purse to wipe off tables in restaurants or to wipe their hands after handling money.

I know people that carry little plastic baggies in their suitcases when traveling so they can put the hotel tv remote control in it. (Cuz you know the first thing men grab after having sex.)

I even know people that wash their car and/or house keys after someone else has handled them.
I know that are lots of other people out there that have their little quirks, but I've never really thought of myself as one of them.

But lately I've been thinking a lot about Eco-friendly reusable shopping bags such as these:

It all started last week when I went to Trader Joe's and a woman at the checkout next to mine had to run out and get her "Eco-friendly reusable shopping bags" from her car, and that got me to thinking.

I know that right now in my trunk I have a tennis racket, an old smelly pair of my son's shoes, some books and papers that have been in there two years or so, my car's tire jack, a bunch of plastic bags, an old plastic bag full of tennis balls, a birthday present with Victoria's Secret lotions that I never gave to the person and an umbrella.

Say I used "Eco-friendly reusable shopping bags", and these bags are sitting under my son's smelly shoes, or say I had an SUV and my bags are thrown in the back where I put my dog and he rolls around and sheds all over the back, or say I ride a bike and I ride it all over the bike trail over roadkill, dog poop...well you get the picture. And I have my "Eco-friendly reusable shopping bags" in the same location. How sanitary do you think those bags are?

Now I guess if I want to put my groceries into those unsanitary bags, well that's my business and I'll live with those germs. But say Mrs. Brown with the big hairy dog and six kids puts those dirty, nasty, germ-filled bags on the same grocery counter where my groceries are going to go. Do I want her germs?

Am I being weird, because I usually don't think about these things, but this sort of bothers me. What do you think? Would it bother you?

We Are The Reason (USA)

As little children
We would dream of Christmas morn
Of all the gifts and toys
We knew we'd find
But we never realized
A baby born one blessed night
Gave us the greatest gift of our lives

Chorus:

We were the reason
That He gave His life
We were the reason
That He suffered and died
To a world that was lost
He gave all He could give
To show us the reason to live

As the years went by
We learned more about gifts
The giving of ourselves
And what that means
On a dark and cloudy day
A man hung crying in the rain
All because of love, all because of love (Chorus)

I've finally found the reason for living
It's in giving every part of my heart to Him
In all that I do every word that I say
I'll be giving my all just for Him, for Him

We are the reason that He gave His life
We are the reason that He suffered and died
To a world that was lost He gave all He could give
To show us the reason to live

He is my reason to live

Composer: David Meece (1980)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) series.

Gloria, Laus, Et Honor

Refrain:

Gloria, laus et honor
tibi sit, Rex Christe, Redemptor:
Cui puerile decus prompsit
Hosanna pium.

Israel es tu Rex, Davidis et
inclyta proles:
Nomine qui in Domini,
Rex benedicte, venis. (Refrain)

Coetus in excelsis te laudat
caelicus omnis,
Et mortalis homo, et cuncta
creata simul. (Refrain)

Plebs Hebraea tibi cum palmis
obvia venit:
Cum prece, voto, hymnis,
adsumus ecce tibi. (Refrain)

Hi tibi passuro solvebant
munia laudis:
Nos tibi regnanti pangimus
ecce melos. (Refrain)

Hi placuere tibi, placeat
devotio nostra:
Rex bone, Rex clemens, cui
bona cuncta placent. (Refrain)

Historical Background Information (Wikipedia)

Words: Theodulph of Orléans (810)

See my other blog postings in the plainchant series.

All Glory, Laud, and Honour

Refrain:

All glory, laud, and honour,
to thee, Redeemer, King,
to whom the lips of children
made sweet hosannas ring.

Thou art the King of Israel,
thou David's royal Son,
who in the Lord's name comest,
the King and Blessed One. (Refrain)

The company of angels
are praising thee on high,
and we with all creation
in chorus make reply. (Refrain)

The people of the Hebrews
with psalms before thee went;
our prayer and praise and anthems
before thee we present. (Refrain)

To thee, before thy passion,
they sang their hymns of praise;
to thee, now high exalted,
our melody we raise. (Refrain)

Thou didst accept their praises;
accept the prayers we bring,
who in all good delightest,
thou good and gracious King. (Refrain)

Translation of Gloria, Laus et Honor

Words: Theodulph of Orléans (810), English Translation: John Mason Neale (1854)
Music: ST. THEODULPH (VALET WILL ICH DIR GEBEN), Meter: 76.76 D by Melchior
Teschner (1615)

El Shaddai (USA)

AMY GRANT:


MICHAEL CARD:


MARANATHA SINGERS:



EDEN'S BRIDGE:


El Shaddai, El Shaddai,
El-Elyon na Adonia,
Age to age You're still the same,
By the power of the name.
El Shaddai, El Shaddai,
Erkamka na Adonai,
We will praise and lift You high,
El Shaddai.

Through your love and through the ram,
You saved the son of Abraham;
Through the power of your hand,
Turned the sea into dry land.
To the outcast on her knees,
You were the God who really sees,
And by Your might,
You set Your children free.

El Shaddai, El Shaddai,
El-Elyon na Adonia,
Age to age You're still the same,
By the power of the name.
El Shaddai, El Shaddai,
Erkamka na Adonai,
We will praise and lift You high,
El Shaddai.

Through the years You've made it clear,
That the time of Christ was near,
Though the people couldn't see
What Messiah ought to be.
Though Your Word contained the plan,
They just could not understand
Your most awesome work was done
Through the frailty of Your Son.

El Shaddai, El Shaddai,
El-Elyon na Adonai,
Age to age You're still the same,
By the power of the name.
El Shaddai, El Shaddai,
Erkamka na Adonai,
I will praise and lift You high,
El Shaddai.

El Shaddai, El Shaddai,
El-Elyon na Adonai,
Age to age You're still the same,
By the power of the name.
El Shaddai, El Shaddai,
Erkamka na Adonai,
I will praise and lift You high,
El Shaddai.

Composers: Michael Card and John Thompson (1982)

Background Information (Wikipedia)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) series.

At the Cross (Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed?)

Alas! and did my Savior bleed
And did my Sov’reign die?
Would He devote that sacred head
For such a worm as I?

Refrain:

At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light,
And the burden of my heart rolled away,
It was there by faith I received my sight,
And now I am happy all the day!

Thy body slain, sweet Jesus, Thine—
And bathed in its own blood—
While the firm mark of wrath divine,
His soul in anguish stood. (Refrain)

Was it for crimes that I had done
He groaned upon the tree?
Amazing pity! grace unknown!
And love beyond degree! (Refrain)

Well might the sun in darkness hide
And shut his glories in,
When Christ, the mighty Maker died,
For man the creature’s sin. (Refrain)

Thus might I hide my blushing face
While His dear cross appears,
Dissolve my heart in thankfulness,
And melt my eyes to tears. (Refrain)

But drops of grief can ne’er repay
The debt of love I owe:
Here, Lord, I give myself away,
’Tis all that I can do. (Refrain)

Words: verses: Isaac Watts (1707), refrain: Ralph E. Hudson (1885)
Music: HUDSON CM + Refrain, Ralph E. Hudson (1885)

Lamb of God (USA)

Your only Son
No sin to hide
But You have sent Him,
From Your side
To walk upon this guilty sod
And to become the Lamb of God

Your gift of Love
They crucified
They laughed and scorned him as he died
The humble King
They named a fraud
And sacrificed the Lamb of God

Chorus:

Oh Lamb of God, Sweet lamb of God
I love the Holy Lamb of God
Oh wash me in His precious Blood
My Jesus Christ the Lamb of God

I was so lost I should have died
But You have brought me to Your side
To be led by Your staff and rod
And to be call a lamb of God (Chorus)

Oh wash me in His precious Blood
My Jesus Chris the Lamb of God

Composer: Twila Paris (1985)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) series.

Iwanna Wednesday - I'm putting it on hold for this Wednesday

If you're tuning in to Titere con Bonete to catch another exciting episode of Iwanna Wednesday you're going to be sadly disappointed as I didn't even realize today was Wednesday until I sat down here to check my email.

I mean, I know it was Wednesday all day, but when I'm at work...it's all about the job and I don't think about blogging, well not much...well ok, normally I think about blogging a lot, but not today. Today was super busy.

Then normally on the weekends I do my grocery shopping and my home supplies (laundry detergent, toilet paper, shampoo, you know...necessities) shopping. But this weekend guess who came to visit? That's right, the adorable little Chorizo! (Click to enlarge, I didn't have time to resize it.) Do you think maybe I love this puppy so much cause she matches my color scheme? Hmmm?

Yep...she begged her mommy (my daughter April) to take her to go visit her grandmomma (that's me). And we headed straight for the coast on Saturday. I have gorgeous pictures to share. If you want a sneak peak just take a gander at my new header. That's one of the pics I took this weekend. I also have a million and one photos of Chorizo :-) 

By the way. The reason Chorizo looks so wet in the photo above is that she woke grandmomma way too early on Saturday and she wanted to go play outside and Uncle Jim (my son) hadn't mowed the lawn yet and the grass was long and wet and she ran all over in the wet grass. She had a blast then came running inside and headed straight for the couch!! Aren't I a great grandmomma to not yell at her? She's to cute to yell at.


Anyway...due to the fact that I didn't get to do my shopping I had to go on Monday night to get the necessities shopping done and then last night I had to go to the grocery store and I almost missed American Idol. I know, I know...the horror! But I only missed the first singer.


Then tonight I went to play tennis with my sister and her two boys Sean and Isaac. I don't know that we got a lot of exercise, but we had a great time! So now I'm barely eating dinner and I'm pooped. And that's why I didn't realize today was Wednesday. Sorry all. Next week ok? Iwanna thank you all for your patience :-)
 

Mantos y Palmas

Mantos y palmas esparciendo va
El pueblo alegre de Jerusalén
Y a lo lejos ya se puede ver
En un pollino a Jesús el Rey

Estribillo:

Mientras mil voces resuenan por doquier
Hosanna al que viene en el nombre del Señor
Con un estruendo de gran exclamación
Prorrumpen con voz triunfal
Hosanna, hosanna al Rey (2x)

Como en la entrada de Jerusalén
Un día todos vamos a cantar
Cuando regrese Cristo otra vez
Para llevarnos al eterno hogar

Composer: Rubén Ruiz Avila (1972)

I Will Arise and Go To Jesus (Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy)

Come, ye sinners, poor and needy,
Weak and wounded, sick and sore;
Jesus ready stands to save you,
Full of pity, love and power.

Refrain:

I will arise and go to Jesus;
He will embrace me in his arms;
In the arms of my dear Savior,
O there are ten thousand charms

Come. ye thirsty, come and welcome,
God's free bounty glorify
True belief and true repentance,
Every grace that brings You nigh

Come, ye weary, heavy-laden,
Bruised and ruined by the Fall;
If you tarry till you're better,
You will never come at all:

View Him prostrate in the garden,
On the ground your Maker lies!
On the bloody tree behold Him,
Hear Him cry before He dies

Lo, the incarnate God, ascended,
Pleads the merit of His blood:
Venture on Him, venture wholly,
Let no other trust intrude

Words: Joseph Hart (1712-1768)
Music: RESTORATION 8.7.8.7 + Refrain (from the Sacred Harp)

Ride on, King Jesus

Ride on King Jesus
No man can-a-hinder me
Ride on King Jesus
Ride on
No man can-a-hinder me
No man can-a-hinder me

In that great getting up morning
Fair thee well, fair thee well
In that great getting up morning
Fair thee well, fair thee well
Ride on King Jesus
No man can-a-hinder me
Ride on King Jesus
Ride on
No man can-a-hinder me
No man can-a-hinder me

Traditional African American Spiritual

The Kingdom of God (Taizé)

The Kingdom of God is justice and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Come, Lord, and open in us the gates of your kingdom.

See my other blog postings in the "Taizé" series of chants.

Official Taizé Community Website

Wikipedia information on the Taizé Community
- in French
- in English

Vacation with a Hologram?

On my lunch hour today I was catching up on Blogs of Note and I ran across an interesting post on the blog The Cougar Clause regarding texting. The post was written by Trista Daniell entitled The Reality of Student Communication: Sexting, Texting And Everything In Between. It was a really interesting post and if you get a chance you should go check it out.

One of the comments made on the post is what prompted me to write this post. The commenter states:

stoplivi said...

It is really sad when the youth of today can't seem to fully function without a cellphone around.
I'm surprised so many people I know can manage to actually put their phone down to study and whathaveyou.

My sister and I were discussing just the other day how much fun we used to have on long car trips with our parents because my dad used to tell us stories of his growing up in Mexico and my mom used to tell us stories of growing up with so many sisters and how they both met. We used to sing songs, our favorite always being "Sons of God" learned from our Catechism classes. We would read and fight with each other and do the slug bug game. We interacted and shared moments together.

I mentioned that kids today would never know how to do that as the minute they get into the car they either have the DVD on watching a movie or they have their earbuds on listening to music on their IPods or they are busy texting their friends and total strangers on their phones. They don't watch the scenery, they don't sing and laugh and play and fight with each other. The don't listen to their parents talking about all those interesting adult things that I loved to eavesdrop on.

So I told my sister that it's going to be even weirder for them when they become adults and take their kids on long car trips. Heck, they probably won't even have to take them. The kids will be able to sleep program themselves to stay home and they will send a hologram of themselves to go on those long drives.

We laughed and thought it was so true that that might actually happen, but seriously...it's not funny. If you stop to think about it our kids are missing out on time spent with us, their parents and/or their siblings. They're missing out on learning to socialize by actually speaking face to face with people and are much more comfortable texting or facebooking or tweeting. Many of them would prefer to spend hours on their phones and computers speaking with strangers than talking to their friends down the street.

Sometimes I wonder if I'm just an old fuddy-duddy and this kind of thinking comes from getting older; just like when my parents didn't understand the music we were listening to, or the hair styles we had. What do you think? Have you ever wondered about this? Those of you that have teenagers, do you see this going on? Those of you that have smaller children that don't have phones and computers yet, have you wondered how you're going to handle that? It's intersting to wonder about as it truly is A Brave New World!

O Haupt voll Blut und Wunden (Germany)

O Haupt voll Blut und Wunden,
Voll Schmerz und voller Hohn,
O Haupt, zum Spott gebunden
Mit einer Dornenkron',
O Haupt, sonst schön gezieret
Mit höchster Ehr' und Zier,
Jetzt aber höchst schimpfieret:
Gegrüßet sei'st du mir!

Du edles Angesichte,
Davor sonst schrickt und scheut
Das große Weltgewichte,
Wie bist du so bespeit!
Wie bist du so erbleichet!
Wer hat dein Augenlicht,
Dem sonst kein Licht nicht gleichet,
So schändlich zugericht't?

Die Farbe deiner Wangen,
Der roten Lippen Pracht
Ist hin und ganz vergangen;
Des blassen Todes Macht
Hat alles hingenommen,
Hat alles hingerafft,
Und daher bist du kommen
Von deines Leibes Kraft.

Nun, was du, Herr, erduldet,
Ist alles meine Last;
Ich hab' es selbst verschuldet,
Was du getragen hast.
Schau her, hier steh' ich Armer,
Der Zorn verdienet hat;
Gib mir, o mein Erbarmer,
Den Anblick deiner Gnad'!

Erkenne mich, mein Hüter,
Mein Hirte, nimm mich an!
Von dir, Quell aller Güter,
Ist mir viel Gut's getan.
Dein Mund hat mich gelabet
Mit Milch und süßer Kost;
Dein Geist hat mich begabet
Mit mancher Himmelslust.

Ich will hier bei dir stehen,
Verachte mich doch nicht!
Von dir will ich nicht gehen,
Wenn dir dein Herze bricht;
Wenn dein Haupt wird erblassen
Im letzten Todesstoß,
Alsdann will ich dich fassen
In meinen Arm und Schoß.

Es dient zu meinen Freuden
Und kommt mir herzlich wohl,
Wenn ich in deinem Leiden,
Mein Heil, mich finden soll.
Ach, möcht' ich, o mein Leben,
An deinem Kreuze hier
Mein Leben von mir geben,
Wie wohl geschähe mir!

Ich danke dir von Herzen,
O Jesu, liebster Freund,
Für deines Todes Schmerzen,
Da du's so gut gemeint.
Ach gib, daß ich mich halte
Zu dir und deiner Treu'
Und, wenn ich nun erkalte,
In dir mein Ende sei!

Wenn ich einmal soll scheiden,
So scheide nicht von mir;
Wenn ich den Tod soll leiden,
So tritt du dann herfür;
Wenn mir am allerbängsten
Wird um das Herze sein,
So reiß mich aus den Ängsten
Kraft deiner Angst und Pein!

Erscheine mir zum Schilde,
Zum Trost in meinem Tod,
Und lass mich sehn dein Bilde
In deiner Kreuzesnot!
Da will ich nach dir blicken,
Da will ich glaubensvoll
Dich fest an mein Herz drücken.
Wer so stirbt, der stirbt wohl.

Paraphrase of Salve caput cruentatum, attributed to Arnulf of Leuven (circa 1250) (English bio / German bio)

Words: Paul Gerhardt (1656) (German bio / English bio)
Music: Mein G’müt ist mir verwirret, das macht ein Jungfrau zart by Hans Leo Haßler (1601) (English bio / German bio)

Wysławiajcie Pana (Taizé)

Wysławiajcie Pana, O___
Wysławiajcie Pana, O___
Spiewaj Panu cała ziemo,
Alleluja, Alleluja!

See my other blog postings in the "Taizé" series of chants.

Official Taizé Community Website

Wikipedia information on the Taizé Community
- in French
- in English

Only This I Want (Dan Schutte)

Refrain:

Only this I want:
but to know the Lord,
and to bear his cross
so to wear the crown he wore.

All but this is loss,
worthless refuse to me,
for to gain the Lord
is to gain all I need. (Refrain)

I will run the race;
I will fight the good fight,
so to win the prize
of the Kingdom of my Lord. (Refrain)

Let your heart be glad,
always glad in the Lord,
so to shine like stars
in the darkness of the night. (Refrain)

Composer: Dan Schutte (1981)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.

See, I Am Near (Taizé)

See, I am near, says the Lord
See, I make all things new.

See my other blog postings in the "Taizé" series of chants.

Official Taizé Community Website

Wikipedia information on the Taizé Community
- in French
- in English

I Heard The Voice of Jesus Say (England)

I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say
I heard the voice of Jesus say,
"Come unto Me and rest;
Lay down, thou weary one, lay down,
Thy head upon My breast."
I came to Jesus as I was,
Weary and worn and sad;
I found in Him a resting-place,
And He has made me glad.

I heard the voice of Jesus say,
"Behold, I freely give
The living water; thirsty one,
Stoop down and drink and live."
I came to Jesus, and I drank
Of that life-giving stream.
My thirst was quenched, my soul revived,
And now I live in Him.

I heard the voice of Jesus say,
"I am this dark world's Light.
Look unto Me; thy morn shall rise
And all thy day be bright."
I looked to Jesus, and I found
In Him my Star, my Sun;
And in that Light of Life I'll walk
Till traveling days are done.

Words: Horatius Bonar (1808-1899)
Music: KINGSFOLD CMD, Traditional English folk tune harm. Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)

The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men

I've use the term "The best laid plans of mice and men" many times. I know what it means or what I've always believed it to mean; that even the best laid plans can get waylaid due to obstacles and/or interruptions we may not foresee.Is that what you always thought it meant? Or did you think it was something different?

Today for the umpteenth time I used that phrase while commenting on The Pioneer Woman's food blog called The Tasty Kitchen. I commented because she's giving away a beautiful Candy Apple Red Kitchen Aid Mixer. I already have a beautiful Pink Kitchen Aid Mixer that my daughter gave to me, so if I win it I will give it to my daughter. If you get a chance go over and comment and that will enter you as well, and if you win it you can give it to my daughter too! Hahaha, just kidding, you can keep it.

But I digress; the real purpose today is to find out where the term "The best laid plans of mice and men" comes from. My favorite term in life is probably, "You have the world at your finger tips, Google it!" I say it to my kids, my coworkers and pretty much anyone that asks me any question. I may even have that term engraved on my head stone.

I know, I know...a tad bit morbid. But you see, I worked at a funeral home for several years and I tend to look at these things a little differently than most. Maybe I'll post about my adventures there someday.

But again...I digress. Geesh, quit with the digressing Alicia...this post is already too long!

Ok, so lets see, my point is the term "The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men". So I Google this term cause that's my thing, (see headstone above).

And what I found was this website where I read that this line comes from a poem written by Robert Burns called To A Mouse. He was inspired to write this poem after plowing up a mouse's nest. It must have weighed heavy on his heart because he wrote a beautiful poem as an apology to the mouse. In the poem he tells the mouse that he's sorry that he plowed through the mouse's home which said mouse had built with a great amount of work thinking that he was preparing himself a wonderful little home for the cold and bitter winter to come. And with one fell swoop, whoosh......it's all gone. (Next I'm going to Google "one fell swoop" as that's a term I use a lot and have no idea where it comes from either, anyone know?) I'm thinking it's a reference to killing someone in a sword fight, but I could be wrong.

Robert Burns felt bad that this had happened, but he wanted the mouse to understand that we can't count on anything. No matter how well we plan them, no matter how well we document them, no matter how many good intentions we might have, we can't count on anything because life is fragile and ever-changing. And in that manner we, as humans have no more say in what life deals us than does a lowly little field mouse. Therefore the saying, "The best laid plans of mice and men".

The poem was translated by George Wilkie from his book "Understanding Robert Burns". Below is the poem as Robert Burns originally wrote it. If you would like to read the translation by George Wilkie you can do so here.

Wee, sleeket, cowran, tim'rous beastie, 

O, what panic's in thy breastie! 

Thou need na start awa sae hasty, 

Wi' bickering brattle! 

I wad be laith to rin an' chase thee, 

Wi' murd'ring pattle!

I'm truly sorry Man's dominion
Has broken Nature's social union,
An' justifies that ill opinion,
Which makes thee startle,
At me, thy poor, earth-born companion,
An' fellow-mortal!

 

I doubt na, whyles, but thou may thieve;
What then? poor beastie, thou maun live!
A daimen-icker in a thrave 'S a sma' request:
I'll get a blessin wi' the lave,
An' never miss't!

Thy wee-bit housie, too, in ruin!
It's silly wa's the win's are strewin!
An' naething, now, to big a new ane,
O' foggage green!
An' bleak December's winds ensuin,
Baith snell an' keen!

Thou saw the fields laid bare an' wast,
An' weary Winter comin fast,
An' cozie here, beneath the blast,
Thou thought to dwell,
Till crash! the cruel coulter past
Out thro' thy cell.

That wee-bit heap o' leaves an' stibble,
Has cost thee monie a weary nibble!
Now thou's turn'd out, for a' thy trouble,
But house or hald.
To thole the Winter's sleety dribble,
An' cranreuch cauld!

But Mousie, thou are no thy-lane,
In proving foresight may be vain:
The best laid schemes o' Mice an' Men,
Gang aft agley,
An' lea'e us nought but grief an' pain,
For promis'd joy!

Still, thou art blest, compar'd wi' me!
The present only toucheth thee:
But Och! I backward cast my e'e,
On prospects drear!
An' forward, tho' I canna see,
I guess an' fear!

Now I understand the term and I'm happy to say I've been using it correctly. What's your favorite term and have you ever wondered where it came from?