Welcome, welcome, welcome to my ninth annual Christmas Music Marathon. Each year, beginning on the Friday after Thanksgiving, I will post a new image and video celebrating Christmas. The purpose of this marathon is to give you an opportunity to take a few minutes out of your day and focus on the true meaning of the season. You will see and hear some of your favorite classic Christmas melodies and I feel pretty confident that you will be introduced to some new-to-you songs as well. So sit back give a listen and plan on stopping by each day until Christmas. I have been known to extend the celebration until the new year. One tradition within the tradition is the first song in the marathon.

Over the next few weeks all of us will be surfing the net and visiting local retailers looking for gifts for friends and family. At times, it can get pretty hectic. On that first Christmas the focus was on finding a room for the night and paying taxes. After a day of walking through malls and big box stores, pause for a few minutes and take a walk through Bethlehem. Let the celebration begin…Merry Christmas!

 

This week the theme is Thanksgiving, that is songs that express being thankful. As a nation, The United States of America has been blessed beyond measure and has more to be thankful for than any nation on earth. The Christian influence on our founding fathers and the documents that govern this country cannot be ignored. Whether individually, or corporately we are greatly blessed and highly favored. Happy Thanksgiving.

Just a reminder to all that the day after Thanksgiving will begin my annual Christmas Music Marathon. There will be a new song or two, along with a photo, each day that reminds us of the true meaning of Christmas and the One whose birth we celebrate. Some come back each day for some tunes you may have loved since childhood and some songs you may have never heard before. This year will be my ninth installment of this blogging tradition. Please join me when you can. Here is a sneak preview of what you can expect.

See you on Friday!

High School Hoops

This has been one of the most colorful autumns in several years. The second tree is my favorite tree in the entire county. I think it is a nearly perfect shape and its color never disappoints.

I took these images while walking the Road Less Traveled that I posted earlier. There is beauty in the big picture as well as the details when hiking in the woods. Have a blessed day.

I took a short walk around the neighborhood the other day and to say that fall is in full swing here in Northwest Arkansas is an understatement. We have had just the right amount of rain during the year and the cool temperatures recently. The result is an explosion of color. enjoy.

2018 Homecoming – Vol II

Last week I posted a few images of the local high school kids at the park taking photos of friends and family. After that event, and prior to dinner and the dance, a few of the kids from our church ventured over to the youth building for one last photo-op. The youth building is named Studio 412 and the inspiration comes from the Bible, 1 Timothy 4:12, “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love in spirit, in faith, in purity.” The example is one that we could all aspire to.

The girls are always up for a little more photo antics than the guys, when adults are around.

Monday’s Music Moves Me

This week is a “your choice” week so I am going to use it as an excuse to post another dance video. As a young adult I was a huge fan of Creedence Clearwater Revival and I still enjoy the work of John Fogerty as a solo act. I believe the only artist that I had more music of was Sir Elton John. Anyway, back to the dance floor. While looking for CCR videos I ran across this jewel. The dance genre here is the Carolina Shag. Enjoy.

While I loved the hard driving sounds of Fortunate Son and Travelin’ Band, one of my favorite CCR recordings was Lodi. I think all of us have felt like we were stuck in a Lodi at some point in our life.

By nature I am not a political animal. I am currently worn out with politics, but I like the message that John evoked in this tune as a solo artist. Sometimes status quo just isn’t good enough. We need a gunslinger.

As a bit of a sports fan and one of millions of American youth that grew up playing baseball, my all time favorite John Fogerty tune is…you guessed it, “Centerfield”. And yes, that is a guitar in the shape of a baseball bat. Have a blessed week.