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This photo was taken by our daughter, Sarah Timmons, or my wife, depending on who you ask. We were in Rehoboth Beach, DE on Easter Sunday, 2011.


Several years ago, on the way home from a family vacation, I picked up a notebook and quickly recorded an incident that had occurred involving our son. Eventually, I used that story to illustrate something about my spiritual walk as a believer in Christ. Thus began a deliberate attempt to document the significance of everyday events. Almost any ordinary circumstance in daily life can become fodder for another story. This, almost by definition, lends itself to a blog.

Of course, many of the entries here are just ordinary diary style stuff... the stuff of ordinary blogs. Good grief, I don't want to be ordinary.


Sunday, December 25, 2011

Merry Christmas from the Timmons'

Sarah, Asher, Elias, Tina, Katherine, & Brent, October 2011

Nothing but a Child




Several years ago we found the book "The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey". It's an awesome story of healing and new beginnings. The story was made into a movie, also great. We watched the video again today, and this Steve Earle song in the movie was irresistible. We highly recommend the book as a gift.




Steve Earle
Nothing but a Child


Once upon a time in a far off land
Wise men saw a sign and set out across the sand
Songs of praise to sing, they traveled day and night
Precious gifts to bring, guided by the light
They chased a brand new star, ever towards the west
Across the mountains far, but when it came to rest
They scarce believed their eyes, they'd come so many miles
And the miracle they prized was nothing but a child

Nothing but a child could wash these tears away
Or guide a weary world into the light of day
And nothing but a child could help erase these miles
So once again we all can be children for awhile

Now all around the world, in every little town
Everyday is heard a precious little sound
And every mother kind and every father proud
Looks down in awe to find another chance allowed

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Casting Crowns - I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day


Casting Crowns


Here is another Christmas song, recorded in a contemporary style by Casting Crowns, which has become one of my favorites.
Click here to listen to "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day".
Here's a live version, which sounds almost as good as the studio version.

I failed to recognize (until my all-knowing mother pointed it out) that this is an old, old song.  I actually have it on a cd which I had made from a Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians Christmas record.  According to Wikipedia, ""I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" is a Christmas carol based on the 1864 poem "Christmas Bells" by American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.  The song tells of the narrator's despair, upon hearing Christmas bells, that "there is no peace on earth... for hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth, goodwill to men". The carol concludes with the bells bestowing renewed hope for mankind."  For additional background into the poem, see this article by Tom Stewart.

Well, we know Who holds that hope.  Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.


I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along the unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

Till ringing, singing on its way
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And in despair I bowed my head
“There is no peace on earth,” I said,
“For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.”

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth, good will to men.”

Then from each black, accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,
And with the sound the carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

It was as if an earthquake rent
The hearth-stones of a continent,
And made forlorn, the households born
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

Todd Agnew - No Room


Todd Agnew
Found this song a couple of years ago.  It has become one of my favorite contemporary Christmas songs.  Has a great clarinet part that we are going to get Katherine to learn.

I would give my right arm for his voice.

Click here to listen to "No Room".

Thursday, December 22, 2011

The Giver


Our youngest daughter had just finished reading a book which she was assigned over the summer by her school.  Her older sister had also read it two years ago in English class.  A small discussion about the book had ensued.  Neither girl liked the story very much, and both were frustrated with the ending.  I pointed out that the intent was not necessarily to entertain the reader, but to expose them to some specific form of writing or ideas.  This suggestion landed with a thud.  My curiosity was high.  There was no other option but to read the book myself.

It didn’t take long before I understood the girl’s discomfort with the story.  The society being described was extreme, with bizarre ideas carried to the nth degree.  In an attempt to create the perfect world, almost all personal choice had been eliminated.  A plan for daily life had been carefully laid out, and everyone was expected to follow it, without question.

Immediately I began to wonder what the author was poking at.  Perhaps she had in mind religion, or a political party.  Surely it was one of those books some parents would find objectionable.  Eventually I speculated her gripe may have been with anyone who attempted to make groups of people think in the same, unquestioning way.

The story revolves around a twelve year old boy who is about to be assigned his life’s work.  One of the peculiar practices of the society is for a group of elders to choose this work for each member in the year they turn twelve.  After that assignment, the child starts a season of training.

It is revealed that the young boy has been chosen for the role of “Receiver of Memories”.  This is the most honored role in the community, and the most difficult.  It had been decided long ago that memories were often painful and therefore counterproductive.  The society concluded that it would be better for members not to be burdened with such things.  But along with the removal of memories came with the loss of wisdom.

They did recognize that on occasion, memories served a purpose, specifically in decision making.  Without memories of the past, the wisdom gained from experience was not available.  This was where the Receiver of Memories stepped in.   Memories were transferred to this person, and when his wisdom was required, he would be called upon to give counsel.

The boy begins his training as the new Receiver of Memories under the tutelage of the current Receiver, an old bearded man aged beyond his years.  The more the boy learns of his assignment, the more uncomfortable he becomes with it.  The training is grueling.  It requires the current Receiver, who becomes known as the Giver, to “give” the memories to the boy.  The boy gradually begins to question the whole concept of Receiver of Memories, and as he voices this to the old man, he too begins to confide in the boy that the system is a poor one.

The two discuss the tragedy that has taken place in this society.  So much has been given up – choice, emotion, even love, all for the sake of the supposed good of the whole.  It has been a heartbreaking experiment.  Much has been lost, and much must be recovered. The question is how to change it. 

At this point in the reading of the book I sensed something else going on.  It was as if The Lord wanted to show me something through this story - not about the story itself, but about my own heart.  As I read, as much as I often mistrust feelings, I could feel something building. 

The Lord seemed to want to address my own heart through the character of this young boy.  As the story unfolds, the boy and the old man begin to plan how to remedy the error this society has made.  The solution, not surprisingly, involves a sacrifice.  The boy must leave the community at the risk of losing his own life.  If he succeeds, and gets far enough away, the memories the people have lost will be returned to them.  They will go through a period of great stress, but the old man will remain to help them work through it.  The fate of the boy is a question that can’t quite be answered on this side of the plan. 

In these pages, I saw an issue in my heart concerning my own selfish ambition.  It may sound benign, and did in fact appear that way to me prior to this, but The Lord began to speak to my heart about my desire for self-fulfillment.  What can possibly be wrong with the desire for self-fulfillment?  Just one thing – the word self

As I read about the selfless act of this twelve year old boy, I couldn’t help but think of Jesus.  I was reminded quite clearly that self-fulfillment was not the way of Christ.  He did not come to fulfill His own desires.  He came to put aside His desires for a greater purpose, and that purpose was to re-connect us with The Father.  At the cross, He laid down His fellowship with The Father. 

My desire for self-fulfillment was not Christ-like at all.  I hesitate to even use the words, but in a sense, those desires are ANTI-Christ.  They are against, the opposite of, and in place of Christ.  They are not of Him.  It was a quick and startling revelation.

Does this mean we must live in a constant state of introspection, brooding over our need to abandon our own ambitions?  Of course not.  Take a look at Christ.  While He laid down his life for us, we would all agree that He was doing exactly what He really desired to do - down to His core.  It is a difficult paradox to comprehend.  He was fulfilled in the sacrifice of His own life.

What this does mean is that when we are bumbling along, and the picture in our mind of what “fulfillment” is all about goes awry, The Lord will be faithful to show us Christ.  It may come from the most unlikely sources, at the most unexpected times.  As He does this work, our “self-fulfillment” will look more and more like Christ laying down His life for the benefit of those around him.  And that will become our fulfillment.  It will be what we desire at our very core.  He becomes, through us, The Giver.

First appeared in the August, 2011 edition of the Manna. http://readthemanna.org

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Ties

This is a Hallmark tie, titled "First Snow."  It was a gift from my wife and kids a few years ago.  The tie tack was my grandfather's.  It's the only tie tack I own.  There is no need for another.

 

Some men have impeccable taste.  And then there are the men who understand what makes a great tie.

Monday, December 19, 2011

Best Christmas Decorations EVER

We have our very own Charlie Brown Christmas tree.  We just illuminated it and the kids hung the four balls.  The tree was transplanted by our boys from another part of the woods.



This is the manger scene we have been using for years.  We transferred the image off of a Christmas card that our friend Brooke Gehman drew.  The writing off to the side is the Christmas story out of Luke.  We like the color blue for some reason.  It has a soothing effect.  I hope our lives have a soothing effect as well.





Thursday, December 15, 2011

A Charlie Brown Christmas

Wikipedia Info.

In 1965, with just a few months to complete the task, Bill Melendez, Charles Schulz, and Vince Guaraldi created a 25 minute animated cartoon with a simple message that has endured for 47 years.  The project was sponsored by Coca-Cola, who intended to sell Coke, but inadvertently produced two timeless phenomena.

"Linus and Lucy"
To everyone’s surprise, Vince Guaraldi pulled off the unlikely task of making a jazz soundtrack enjoyable to children, and created an album that can make a jazz fan out of any adult.  “Linus & Lucy” became the theme song for Peanuts.  “Christmas Time is Here” became a Christmas music staple.

But a phenomenon of eternal significance occurred when Charlie Brown poses a simple question whose answer escapes all the Peanuts characters but Linus.  In the midst of practicing for the Christmas pageant, he solemnly recites the Christmas Story from the Gospel of Luke while illuminated by a symbolic spot light.  Linus concludes with “And that’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.” 

Apparently Schulz insisted on the scene staying in the final cut, reportedly saying “If we don't tell the true meaning of Christmas, who will?”  He succeeded in bringing the gospel to millions. 

Linus's Soliloquy
Schulz’s straightforward manner of sharing the gospel of Christ is a lesson to behold.  It involves one who is seeking an answer, one who has encountered light, and the sharing of that truth in a simple fashion.  No great persuasive arguments, no fanfare, no tugging at emotional heartstrings, and no awkward discomfort.   Linus simply says “Charlie Brown, you asked, and I believe this is your answer.  Christmas is about the birth of our Savior.”

As Charlie Brown embraces that truth, it has an immediate effect on him and his view of the world.  He stumbles a little with his failed attempt to decorate his pitiful tree.  But out of that, a beautiful thing happens.  His seeking and acceptance of the truth has begun to impact those around him, and the whole gang acknowledges the moment singing “…Glory to the Newborn King.”


Perhaps things do go better with Coke.

First appeared in the December 2009 edition of the Manna. http://readthemanna.org

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Pomanders

When I was in Mrs. Ethel Tingle's fourth grade class at Frankford Elementary School in the year 1970, she scheduled a special project around Christmas time.  We spent most of the afternoon making pomanders.  She gave us specific instructions not to start with a ring of cloves in a straight line around the circumference of the orange, as this would cause it to break in half.  I was careful to place my cloves as randomly as humanly possible to avoid this.

Somehow, I managed to save my pomander.  It may be the oldest pomander in recorded history.


As you can see, my pomander may also be the largest in recorded history. Things like this should not go unnoticed.


Sunday, December 11, 2011

Carol of the Fryers




                                                                             (click on the above link)
     
We first heard this song when WXPZ was on the air in the early '90s.  During the first listen, one asks himself "what the heck is this?"  But at the end of the song, it becomes clear.  It has become one of our favorite Christmas songs, and believe it or not, one of the most touching.

We have a new Christian Radio Station, 88.7fm, THE BRIDGE, and they still play the song.


(If you found yourself on this page, you are in good company.  It is the most viewed entry on my entire blog, as of December, 2012.  In honor of this song, we added a chicken to our nativity.  You can view that blog entry @ "Best Christmas Decorations EVER".  And if you don't mind, leave me a comment.  I would really like to know why this song is such a big deal to you)

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Mothers

There is one faithful reader of this blog... my mother.  She has resisted the urge to post comments for fear that she will be perceived as a person blinded by bias.

So, to whom it may concern, my mother is hereby granted permission to post comments ad nauseam.  If it seems that she is biased, you are probably mistaken, because everything she says about me is actually true.

Brent

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Things 50 Year Old Kids Like

This small housing development appeared in our neighborhood a few days ago. 



Incidentally, we always have the best decorations on our road.  It's a natural talent.  I have been putting up our family decorations since I was a child.  One year President Jimmy Carter said we should not put up decorations to save energy.  I put them up anyway.  It was the beginning of my rebellious phase.

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Picking out a Christmas Tree

We have always had a live tree, and have bought them from various places and in various forms from all over the county.  We have bought cut trees, balled trees (none of them lived), and trees from local trees farms which were cut after we selected them. 

For the last three years, we have bought trees from Landis Tree Farm in Harbeson, DE.  They have a cool thing which they do to encourage families to return.  Besides serving hot chocolate and cookies, they take your picture with your tree, and you can pick up the picture the following year.  This is the one from last year.


Picking out a tree, 2010.
As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words.  The boy peeking from behind the tree is Elias, who was supposed to be posing next to the rest of the family.  True to character, he was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

This year we made sure he was in the appropriate place for the picture.  He did, however, inform us that it was his intent to get lost amongst the trees while the rest of us were trying to locate a tree.  This was slightly inconvenient once we found a tree and needed his approval.

None of that is really important.  They will all be precious memories, regardless.