Somewhere Over the Rainbow.....

Remember Judy Garland singing "Over the Rainbow" in the Wizard of Oz?  Well, here is an absolutely stunning video with this song as instrumental music in the background........please sit back, relax and ENJOY!!!

Here are the words to the song, too!

OVER THE RAINBOW
(Music by  Harold Arlen and Lyrics by E.Y. Harburg)
Somewhere over the rainbow way up high,
There's a land that we heard of once in a lullaby.
Somewhere over the rainbow skies are blue,
And the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true.
Someday I'll wish upon a start and wake up where the clouds are far behind me,
Where troubles melt like lemon drops, away above the chimney tops that's where you'll find me.
Somewhere over the rainbow bluebirds fly,
Birds fly over the rainbow, why then, oh why can't I?
If happy little bluebirds fly beyond the rainbow, why oh why can't I???

(Remember, dreams really DO come true!! And, remember that God sends us rainbows to remind us that He has an everlasting covenant with all livings creatures of every kind on earth.......watch for the rainbows in the clouds!!)

This short video won Grand Prize - Best of Show at International Wildlife Film Festival in Missoula Montana. The majority was shot on location in Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park and The National Elk Refuge in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Click

Int'l Wildlife

Jubilant

Jubilant:  Expressing joy or being exultingly joyful - have you ever felt that way????  The state of being jubilant - WOW!  I think that would be a fun way to live...........however, most people would think I was out of my mind, right?  Well, I am willing to risk it!  
(Most people I know probably already think that I am crazy, right?  Right! (Ha! Ha!)  Oh well.....)

I was reading a devotion this morning by a young lady whose daughter she named Jubilee and it started me thinking..........hmmm....what if we did celebrate EACH day we are alive?  Jubilee is for a special anniversary such as a 50th wedding anniversary or an occasion of joyful celebration.  What have you celebrated recently???  

The infamous day of "Love" is coming - Valentine's Day!  A day filled with chocolate, pink flowers, red hearts and roses galore!!!
Even if you don't have your very own valentine YOU could be someone else's!
Think about that 90 year old neighbor whose husband has been gone 30 years....or a friend's parent who lives in an assisted living place and they live 50 miles away - could you go visit them and take them a Valentine?

There are a million ways of showing jubilation!!!  Try it, experiment, be creative, step out of that traditional box you hold in your mind and bring some delight to someone else's world who may need a bit of cheering up!

One of my favorite scriptures reminds us to rejoice each day:
"Rejoice in the Lord always!  Again, I say Rejoice!"  Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near!"  (Philippians 4:4-5)

Go and be jubilant today!!!  
(Besides, I need some other crazy people running around out there in this world with me!!!)

Just Think.....

Here is a message from the co-founder of DaySpring products, Roy Lessin that touched my heart, so I wanted to pass it along to each of you for 2013:

Just Think,
You're here not by chance, but by God's choosing.
His hand formed you and made you the person you are.
He compares you to no one else -- you are one of a kind.
You lack nothing that His grace can't give you.
He has allowed you to be here at this time in history to fulfill His special purpose for this generation.......Just think...........

Ecclesiastes 3:1 says:
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.

Absorb........

Absorb the beauty around you.  Look left, then right...look up, then down - soak it in! 
Give your full attention to the dawn of a new day..........to the ending of a peaceful day.........
Beauty is all around us if only we will open our eyes and see. 

Have you noticed how beautiful your child's eyes are lately?  If you are not a parent, what about your pet's eyes or your neighbor's eyes?   They shine with love each moment you give them attention.

Have you noticed how beautiful the full moon is recently?  When was the last time you stopped and gazed at something extraordinary? 

Take the time to slow down and smell those proverbial roses or perhaps a buy a real one for yourself.  Watch its petals unfold......smell the fragrance it exudes........feel the softness of its velvet upon your cheek.  Absorb its exquisite beauty into your soul.

Become engrossed.......become mindful..........watch the snow fall........catch a snowflake!There are nuances of beauty all around you...if only we will look for them, take time to notice them - show them to a friend. 

Give your full attention to noticing beautiful things around you each day, each moment.  Allow beauty to soak into your pores.......your heart.....your soul.

Look up into the night sky and sigh.....the beauty is yours to behold!

Into our Hearts, God comes...

Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy!  Unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and he will be called:  Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace!!!
(Isaiah 9:6)

Into our hearts, God comes..........

 

The Bethlehem Stable...

Amongst the lowliest, God comes.....

The Bethlehem Angel...

Into Mary's heart, God comes.....

The Bethlehem Star...

Shining Brightly to light our way, God comes.....

The Bethlehem Wise Men...

Amongst the Magnificent, God comes.....

The Bethlehem Babe...

Into our hearts, He comes.

 

(By Pam Spencer, Copyright 1993)

The Stillness of Advent....

The stillness of Advent is upon us.........travel lightly.........walk slowly..........eat slightly..........focus inward..........then..............face upward.

Seek the stillness before the Birth.

Look for the Star..........and follow it.

Stand before the Manger........hear the angel's song!

Allow the Christ Child to fill your heart........

Stand in awe and wonder........

Be amazed by the beauty.....

Let God's stillness blanket you........

Celebrate the Birth of His Son.

(Copyright by Pam Spencer, 2002)

Sense of Wonder....

Sense of Wonder.........do you have one?  Do you have a sense of awe as we enter into this joyous season of Christmas?  What makes you sit back and think "wow?"  What excites you, puzzles you and brings you joy?  Will you allow the marvelous message of peace on earth fill your heart this Christmas?  Will you show your generosity by sharing a warm smile or a cup of coffee with a friend or maybe someone down on his luck?  Will you marvel at the night sky filled with stars on a crisp winter evening?  Will you spread Reindeer food on the lawn so that Santa's sleigh will be sure to stop at your house?
Or, ring a set of jingle bells by your children's room after they are asleep?  Will you listen to, play, or sing Christmas carols and remember the "days of old?"  Do you enjoy watching the snow fall from a warm, cozy spot on your couch?Or, just like to sit by a fire and watch the flames aglow?  Perhaps this year, you will try baking some old family favorite cookies and enjoy the smell as they are baking.....invite some friends over and bake together!  Whatever it is that will bring your heart joy - do it!

I know Christmas can be difficult for some of us..........some of our hearts are heavy this year (or each year) because we have lost someone we love or have to fight yet another battle with our health or a family member or friend's health.  But, even now, there are reasons to rejoice!  Even through the difficulties and tears, there is joy in knowing there is a sense of wonder in the air - if only we will look for it, listen for it and allow it to settle on our shoulders and down into our hearts....this sense of peace is as lovely as snow falling.....

Isaiah 9: 6
"For unto us a Child is born, to us a son is given....and He will be called
Wonderful counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

Sing this Christmas Carol in your heart each day - it is bound to make you feel joyful once again!

Joy to the World , the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.

Joy to the World, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.

 

And wonders of His love..........think about that - wow!  We are so blessed to have such a Savior as ours!!!  Invite Him into your heart....allow His peace to fill you.....turn out all the lights and lay by your Christmas tree - look up into the branches covered with lights.....say a little prayer and ask for awe and wonder, surprise and joy and to be astonished with delight each day!  

 

Remember you are a gift to those in your life....go spread a little joy and Christmas cheer.  Cherish this beautiful season - it only comes once a year!