Happy New Year, Everyone

Gee, I had trouble thinking about what to write about on new year's eve day. I decided to start off with a common song that's often sung at the stroke of midnight: Auld Lang Syne. I found a short history of this song, part of a longer article, here. This was written by Stephen Lynch of the Orange County Register on December 31, 1999, and I hope I'm not violating rights here -- the article IS old and available easily on the web.

Mr. Lynch writes:

Auld Lang Syne means "old long since" and is adapted from a traditional Scottish folk tune. The basic words date to at least 1711, though some scholars say it was mentioned as early as 1677. Scottish poet Robert Burns is credited with first publishing it, in the mid-1790s, and, researchers say, smoothing out some of the verses and changing the melody.

The song recalls the days gone by and says we will always remember them. "Should auld acquaintance be forgot?" it asks. No, the chorus replies: "For auld lang syne (for times gone by), we'll tak (drink) a cup o' kindness yet."

As for the other lyrics, Verse 2 refers to friends at separate places (or pubs), drinking to each other. Verses 3 and 4 talk about a long journey to find that friend, running "about the braes" (hillsides), and "pou'd the gowans fine" (pulled the pretty daisies), and getting tired doing so ("wander'd mony a weary fit," or "a weary foot" depending on the version). It continues with wading streams ("paidl'd in the burn"), from dusk until dinnertime, but even then, broad ("braid") seas roar between them.

But finally, in the last verse, the friends find each other. And they "tak a right guid-willie waught" ("drink a goodwill drink") for times gone by.

*****

Here is the song:

Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And days of auld lang syne?

Chorus (repeated between stanzas):
For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne
We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne.

And surely ye'll be your pint stoop
And surely I'll be mine
And we'll tak a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne.

We twa hae run about the braes
And pou'd the gowans fine
But we've wander'd mony a weary foot
Sin' auld lang syne.

We twa hae paidl'd i' the burn
Frae mornin' sun till dine
But seas between us braid hae roared
Sin' auld lang syne.

And here's a hand, my trusty fiere
And gi'e's a hand o' thine
And we'll tak a right good willy waught
For auld lang syne.

*****

For me, I am saddened by the fast passage of time, and new year's eve day just seems to emphasize this. My kids tease me about being "old" and living with Truman or even Hoover, but you know, when those gentlemen were president life for everyone felt real and immediate, just as it does now. Watching movies from the eighties I'm surprised at how dated things seem, and how old the actors look now. I remember going to the theater when these movies were brand new.

2008 has been a pretty good year for me, although with great sadness intertwined. Maybe it's always like this, but then why do we have a sense of something better, richer, happier? Hmm, theological ponderings for another day. The point is to trust and pray. Keep striving, keep pushing forward. Learn from the past, treasure it, but don't stay there however tempting it may be. You never know what's in store.

Disjointed? I'm sorry; I'm writing this late at night tonight. Happy new year, my dear friends.

New Year's Feast

I remember reading a long time ago that eating lentils gives you good luck for the new year. Well, I don't believe in luck, but lentils are still pretty good! I try to make this meal every New Year's Eve.

What are some of your traditions, if any? I'd love to hear!

*****

Lentil Soup

3 or 4 chicken breasts -- I cook boneless breasts in a pressure cooker until the meat is quite tender, then shred it.

about 4 cups dried lentils

about 16 cups chicken broth, divided

1 1/2 cups chopped onions -- I cheat to use a frozen bag of chopped onions. You can saute these in olive oil if you want.

1-2 cans (11 oz each) condensed tomato soup

2-3 cans (15 oz each) diced tomatoes

16 oz fresh spinach, or 1 bag frozen chopped spinach (NOTE: use the fresh spinach if you can -- it's really good!)

*

Rinse lentils in collander, then in saucepan cover them with water or chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then lower heat and let them simmer awhile until they're soft (1-2 hours). Add onions and simmer for awhile. Add broth as needed. Mix in chicken, tomato soup, and diced tomatoes. Lastly, add spinach, but don't cook for a long time with the spinach. You can serve this the same day, or let it go till tomorrow. BTW making soup is just throwing stuff in the pot, so if you have some nice-looking sweet potatoes or carrots or celery or whatever, just add 'em in! Season with salt, pepper, garlic, thyme, or whatever. This soup freezes well.

*****

Hot Biscuits

best served with butter and jam

2 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1/4 cup oil
scant cup milk (or about 1/3 cup dried milk plus water)

Mix together, adding flour as needed to make thick dough. Knead until smooth, roll out, and cut. Reroll scraps and cut again -- you know the drill. Bake at 425F until lightly browned.

*****

Key Lime Pie

OK, it's not REALLY key lime, but this pie is reminiscent! Very easy and impressive.

Crust:
1 1/4 cup graham cracker crumbs or about 5-6 graham crackers, crushed
1/4 cup sugar
3/8 cup oil

Mix together and press into bottom of pie pan

Pie:

2 whole eggs
2 (14 oz) cans sweetened condensed milk (fat-free or regular)
4 oz lime juice
4 oz lemon juice
1 container Cool Whip, defrosted

Mix eggs, milk, and lemon/lime juice -- pour into prepared pan. Bake 350F about 15 minutes or until a light glaze forms. Cool in refrigerator for a few minutes, then spread Cool Whip on top. Store in refrigerator.

Goal Setting for the New Year

Well, it's that time of the year again. Goals are a mixed bag: on the one hand, they give you something to shoot for, yet on the other, sometimes they're just something to make you feel guilty. Every year I like to set just a few, very specific, goals, realistic things that I commit myself to. For 2008, for example, my goal was to have a published book by the end of the year. And here it is!

So, how do you set goals? This is my usual routine:

First, I figure out what I want my life to look like next year. Nothing elaborate, but one or two basic things. The best goals are those with a realistic, specific outcome; for example, for 2009 I want to complete drafts of two manuscripts. Don't set your goal outcome to be something beyond your control e.g. to win that award -- instead make it that you will meet all deadlines, and work X amount of time, and produce Y output, to enter the contest.

Next, break the goal down: all of the steps that will be necessary to complete this goal. Then, divide the steps up into 12 months. Determine how much output on a weekly basis you need to do in order to meet this goal.

Some helpful tips to keeping goals are:

1. make sure this is a goal you REALLY want, not something that you think you *should* do but you won't stick with.

2. This is the most important step. If you do nothing else, do this one:

WRITE YOUR GOAL DOWN!
WRITE YOUR GOAL DOWN!
WRITE YOUR GOAL DOWN!

3. keep a log in a notebook or on the computer that you write in weekly or preferably more often. Write down how you've met your output for the week, other problems that have cropped up, and how you'll need to manage them -- all the notes to help keep you on track.

4. Remind yourself why it's important to accomplish this goal. Write it down periodically.

5. Every time you've met a weekly or small goal, take a moment to tell yourself you did a good job! If it's something bigger, maybe you can go out to dinner or watch a movie or do something else for fun.

6. If possible, find an accountability partner who will (nicely) ask you how you're doing.

So, what are some of your goals? Have you met your goals in the past? How did you do it?

~happy new year, my dear friends~

Merry Christmas

Hi Everyone. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas celebration, and you keep Christmas in your hearts the rest of the year through.

This poem was posted on Lydia's blog here, and she kindly gave me permission to repost it on my blog. While it may be read as a pretribulation *rapture* -- something I don't believe will happen -- it emphasizes the suddenness with which Jesus will appear. In that spirit, I hope you find this poem as interesting as I did. Thanks, Lydia!

*****


'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE JESUS CAME
(author unknown)


'Twas the night before Jesus came and all through the house
Not a creature was praying, not one in the house.
Their Bibles were lain on the shelf without care
In hopes that Jesus would not come there.

The children were dressing to crawl into bed.
Not once ever kneeling or bowing a head.
And Mom in her rocker with baby on her lap
Was watching the Late Show while I took a nap.

When out of the East there arose such a clatter.
I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash!

When what to my wondering eyes should appear
But angels proclaiming that Jesus was here.
With a light like the sun sending forth a bright ray
I knew in a moment this must be THE DAY!

The light of His face made me cover my head
It was Jesus! returning just like He had said.
And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth,
I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself.

In the Book of Life which He held in His hand
Was written the name of every saved man.
He spoke not a word as He searched for my name;
When He said "it's not here" my head hung in shame.

The people whose names had been written with love
He gathered to take to His Father above.
With those who were ready He rose without a sound.
While all the rest were left standing around.

I fell to my knees, but it was too late;
I had waited too long and thus sealed my fate.
I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight;
Oh, if only I had been ready tonight.

In the words of this poem the meaning is clear;
The coming of Jesus is drawing near.
There's only one life and when comes the last call
We'll find that the Bible was true after all!

I Didn't Forget :-)

Another post will be up tomorrow. I wanted yesterday's Christmas post to stay up one more day.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

A Christmas Gift

Because it is such a joyful holiday, this can be a difficult time of year if you are missing someone or mourning losses. However, whoever you are, you have at least one Christmas gift: God's Christmas gift.

I often like to ask people what a Christian believes? Many people answer "A Christian believes in God," but really many non-Christians do also-- for example Muslims, Orthodox Jews, and people without any faith at all.

So, what does a Christian believe that is unique?

The kernel of the Christian message can be found in John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (NIV)

A Christian believes that God is so Holy that there is nothing that anyone can do to ever be good enough to be with Him. To be reconciled, God sent Jesus, His only Son, God, man, of one being with the Father although also separate (The Trinitarian doctrine that no one can completely understand in this life; I won't go into this here). Jesus lived a perfect life, and died as the perfect Passover lamb for the ultimate sacrifice. A clear, entertaining, fun, 3 minute video that explains this concept of grace is here.

If a person acknowledges that he is unable to be "good enough" for God's standards, and accepts Jesus' death and resurrection as a substitutionary provision, he WILL be reconciled with God, which means he will be with Him forever, on earth now and in Heaven for all eternity. This is the only way to be reconciled with God (John 14:6: Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (NIV))

I came to my faith as a skeptic who didn't want to believe in God, and after almost a year of study and piecing many bits of evidence together, was blown away by the strength of the case for the resurrection.

God ardently wants you. He loves you more than you can understand. All you have to do is accept His Christmas gift, Jesus. Your life in one way will be easier because He will now always walk with you, and in another way will be harder because you will change, and grow, and conform to the likeness of Christ. But the difficulties, even the rejections or other problems from becoming a Christian, are so outweighed by the good it isn't even worth comparing (Romans 8:18).

I saw a billboard last year that I love:

LIFE IS SHORT. ETERNITY ISN'T.

God is love. Don't turn away from Him.

*****

Note: As I'm writing this I did a little googling, and found a good site that probably explains "becoming a Christian" better here. BTW this particular site is Baptist, I am now Lutheran;the differences in denominations are interesting but not essential to the core belief of Jesus as Savior and Lord.There are many other sites on what a Christian believes or how to become a Christian as well; just do a google search. For brevity and clarity on this blog entry, I left out some Bible references but I'm delighted to cite chapter and verse if you write me to ask.

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

This is one of my favorite carols. I first heard it as an adult, during a difficult period of my life, and it stuck with me. Hope.

The poem was written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow on Christmas Day, 1864, a few months before General Robert E. Lee surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865. Longfellow (1807-1882) wrote many lyric poems including Paul Revere's Ride, The Song of Hiawatha, and Evangeline. He was born in Maine, attended Bowdoin College (that of a favorite Civil War hero of mine, Joshua Chamberlain), and in 1854 moved to Cambridge Massachusetts.

Longfellow and his wife, Fanny, had six children. In 1861 while Fanny was preserving locks of her children's hair, her dress caught fire and she died of burns the next day. Longfellow, while trying to save her, was also burned. He mourned her death until the day he died.

I liked this video of the carol, featuring the music of MercyMe. It juxtaposes despair and hope, our only hope, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Merry Christmas, dear readers.



Christmas Bells
by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

The fourth and fifth stanzas, referring specifically to the Civil War, are usually omitted.


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!



(stanza usually omitted)

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!



(stanza usually omitted)

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!




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!"