UPP Creative would like to wish everyone a Happy and Blessed New Year.
Month: December 2015
It is the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
I am sad to see Christmas go. Love Christmas. I love the songs and movies. I love everyone being nice to each other. I love the stories of hope. This evening I am spending it with Call of the Midwife‘s Christmas Special.
I hope your Christmas was amazing like mine. I love my family, even the crazy ones. It was great to spend time with them throughout the holiday season. Of course, we were rowdy and loud.
These gloves are some of the fun things that came with Christmas. My favorite was an electric tea pot. All are handy and warm gifts.
Yet aside from the gifts, the best gifts have been what the Lord has taught me all year. Next week I will share 10 things the Lord taught me in 2015. In spite of all of our circumstances, He is still good and faithful. Here is one:
Sometimes we wait because the Lord has to take the teeth out of the serpent that is waiting to bite us.
So those of you in a hurry. Wait.
Until then, lets have some Christmas music. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
We really have come a long way, Baby.
Spoiler Alert:
Movies and books are some of the things I love. When I was a kid, I used to catch the bus and go to Seminary South to the General Cinema theater to watch movies. It was the coolest thing to me and these movies had an impact on how I saw the world. Most of the movies I saw had men leads, and most of which were Anglo.
When the first Star Wars movie debuted in 1977, I was too young to ride the bus by myself. But I fell in love with the Empire Strikes Back in 1980 and was excited that Billy Dee Williams was one of the cast. As an actor is was good to see someone who looked like me in a popular film that was good to boot. It gave hope that African American actors would not be typecast as the bad guys, the stupid guys or “you don’t have a purpose” guys.
I don’t have adequate words to explain my feelings as I watched the recent installment of the Star Wars franchise. I was like, “Wow!”
As I sat in the movie theater 38 years after the first movie, I can see a difference in who we are as story tellers. As a country we have grown some and it is nice to see it reflected in a major franchise movie. It is nice to see actors who look like me get roles that might have been cast other ways.
I love that one of the main characters was African American and another was female. The story-line had nothing to do with their race or gender, it allowed two actors to do what they do best. ACT. Yet their presence spoke volumes. It takes Star Wars to whole new level with me. It was a great movie experience. We have truly come a long way.
I’m Off My Game
Sometimes I kid my work partner that he is off his game when things don’t go the way we plan. It doesn’t happen often, but pointing it out helps us understand something we don’t like is happening. Usually we joke about it. He tells me if he is off his game, then I must be off mine.
Currently I am off my Christmas game. Presents still need to be bought, cards need to be mailed, and lots more. I am so behind.
Christmas is my favorite season and it is about to be over before I even prepare for it. The thing that keeps me calm is music. One of my favorites this season is the Christmas Song by Dave Matthews.
I love the words to this song and the beat. As I was listening this week, I thought about Jesus. I mean He knew when he breathed life into Adam that eventually the focus would turn to Him. (And rightly so because He came to save us.) He knew that people would write songs about his life.
I wonder if terms like “less than golden,” “daddy-o” and “jokers” gave Him a giggle. They make me giggle because of the songwriter’s method of telling the story. He uses a vernacular that I am familiar with.
I am not saying the song is biblical, but I do like the theme. I love the idea of showering Him with love while He lay in the hay. I disagree that the blood spilled is of the children all around. I know the blood spilled is of the perfect sacrifice for our sins. Yet that doesn’t limit the song for me. Because as God tries to explain to us what He does for us, we don’t always get it right.
But Jesus loves us. So much that He was willing to come be with us. We will never know the full extent of His love.
Even though I may be off my game, I love being reminded of the trip Jesus made to earth to shower me with love.
An Early Christmas present
One of my Kindle books will be available on Friday for free. If you download a copy, please write a review.
Only You…
So I have this song stuck in my head, but I only know 2 words. It makes me giggle.
So I walked into my mechanic’s office and explained the problems with the car. He answered by breaking out in song. I could not help but laugh as he continued to sing through my distress. After he sang a little, he looked at me and laughed.
The best part was he reminded me of where my source and help comes from. As I stood ready to talk business. He reminded me that God was my protector and has control of our lives. He reminded me that nothing happens in our lives without God.
Now he did roll his eyes at me for wanting him to do the repairs the same day. ( I got there two hours before he closed.) He also continued to sing.
A couple of days later, as he was going over the repairs with me, we talked about family. He said family gatherings are about love and respect for each other. He gave me a hug, a kiss and wished me Merry Christmas.
I paid for car repairs, but got a whole lot more.
As you are meeting with your family and friends this holiday season, and getting caught up in the festivities, remember to love and respect one another. When things start going to the contrary, just sing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0mWVVSkYHo
I don’t want to bore you with my love
I have been so busy I forgot to blog last week. It is not the only thing suffering at the expense of my busyness. Yet, I have also been able to catch some insight.
I listened to this song last week and got caught up in it. The words enchanted me. I remember singing out loud with it. I love the story of being so caught up with someone you think your love will bore them. I think we have lost the idea that another person can be special. Although I can’t imagine a man who would be bored with my love. (Lol)
We have access to some amazing artists who tell incredible stories that capture US. And the truth is when they are gone, we will never have anything like them again. People will imitate them, but it will never be as real. These artist touch something in us that can’t be explained with words.
Songs in the Key of Life is an incredible work. It speaks to me on so many levels that I gain new insights every time I hear a song from it.
This holiday season give yourself the gift of a nice beverage and a listen to the Songs in the Key of Life. Here is one of my favorites.
Helping Create Memories
We are having a great time with the Groupon.
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