Happy Birthday Jesus.

As unconventional and seemingly goofy as it was, I was beyond thrilled that we did this. Oh yeah. My cousin made a cake, decorated it, wrote “Happy Birthday Jesus!” on it, and then had my family over on Christmas Eve to actually, audibly sing Happy Birthday to Jesus, leaving what we were celebrating inescapably clear, even to the two 5-year-olds.

A Labor of Love.

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. (Luke 2:6-7)

Liger: Fact or Fiction?

Fact! Today at my second day of on-brand-new-site training I was given the assignment to look up a liger, simply because I had never seen one before. Now it’s pretty much my favorite animal, although I was bummed to find that they aren’t bred for their skills in magic…

Day 2: My Final Finals

Well, for this semester anyway. That’s right, Christmas vacation has officially begun for me. Let the games begin, and of course by games I mean extended work hours. Not a moment too soon.

Don’t Be a Grinch.

Come to Holiday Hullabaloo on Saturday.

Oops.

In all of the Christmas Album discussion I neglected to mention one of my favorites. Well…see for yourself.

Day 1

When I woke up this morning, I realized that my bed has never felt so warm and comfortable. But alas, today is day 1 of Finals Week. Grrr…

Let It Snow.

Sometimes I try to imagine which contemporary artists are producing music that will stand the test of time. I mean decades, not centuries like Beethoven or Bach or anything. I think about the musical taste that I’ve acquired from my folks, how I listen to a lot of the same stuff they listened to when they were young, and then try to envision what my children will pick up from my generation. Probably just the same stuff I got from my parents. However, Jamie Cullum is one of my favorite musicians out there right now, probably because he’s playing jazz most of the time and jazz is something that I will teach my children to listen to. If you haven’t listened to him before he’s worth a listen. I came across this video today and couldn’t help but post it. Jamie Cullum doing a Christmas Carol? Pinch me.

Sundays.

Sundays are easily the best day of the week. Being a part of Sovereign Joy Christian Fellowship in Chico has been a blessing that cannot be overstated. Church in the morning, lunch with the Mathers, watch the 49ers play what appears to be a bad scrimmage against a different opponent every week, and then finish up the day with Bible study.

I have to give my Mondays credit though. Going through a Piper book with some of the guys from church followed by more time at the Mathers’ ain’t a bad way to spend the first part of the day either.

Encouragement and growth abounds in Chico, praise God!

Tony vs. Paul