In My Head...

When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done

Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your blessings, see what God hath done;
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your many blessings see what God hath done!

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly
And you will be singing as the days go by!

Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your blessings, see what God hath done;
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your many blessings see what God hath done!

So amid the conflict, whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all!
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey's end!

Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your blessings, see what God hath done;
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your many blessings see what God hath done!

J. Oatman, Jr. 1897

Techie Questions

For Mother's Day this year, James shocked me by getting an iPod classic. I've wanted one for a couple of years, since we don't have a good stereo. I had such fun importing all our CDs and making playlists with different themes.

My iPod classic is the 80GB version - enormous storage capacity. Which leads me to a few questions:

1. How do I load photos on my iPod? There's got to be a way to do it, because there's a "photos" option on the menu.
2. Can I download clips from YouTube? How? I'd love to get some of Wendy's favorite clips on there for entertainment at doctor's offices and such.
3. What's the easiest way to play an iPod in the car? Our van has a CD player, but no iPod dock or anything like that.

I hope some of you can answer my questions. I've been Googling my little heart out, and haven't had much luck.

Red Sky

I'm a fairly new fan of Brandon Heath. I've heard his songs on the radio for a few years, but didn't know his name until his recent hit (which I love), Give Me Your Eyes.

Several months ago I won a huge CD set from the people who make the WOW compilation sets, courtesy of Shannon. Since we usually listen to VeggieTales in the car, I'm just now getting around to exploring some of the CDs. I saw Brandon Heath's debut album, Don't Get Comfortable, in the box, and remembered that I like his music, so I popped it in as I was running errands. (And from the backseat, I heard sounds of protest - "More listen Tales!!")

I was grooving along, not paying too much attention to the lyrics, until I got to track 5, Red Sky. (Click here to listen.)

There's a man on my street
He reminds me everyday
Better take what you can get
'Cause there's nothing more than this
Daylight fades into the ground
Oh Lord, I need You now

Chorus
Cover me
With a red sky tonight
The promise of a better day to come
Sing over me
An angelic symphony
Tell me everything will be alright
With a red sky tonight

We're so taken with our fear
That we're folded up in shame
With our feet nailed to the floor
We're the only ones to blame
I can't help but wonder why
Nobody bats an eye

You can see it in the faces
Of all the passersby
I'll sail into the sun
And when the day is done
I'll need you in the night
To wake me in the dawn
I'll see you in the sun
When the day is done

The chorus of this song has really stuck with me, and has been a bedtime prayer of sorts for me for a few days, especially as I've been feeling particularly yucky. The idea of a red sky at night reminds me of the old weather proverb, "Red sky at night, sailor's delight. Red sky at morning, sailor take warning." For those who followed that adage, a red sky at night really was a sign of a better day, and better weather, to come.

The idea of God covering us with hope and peace as we sleep is one that I cherish and cling to. Because I know that in the long run, everything really will be alright.

Come By Me

When I was in high school, I fell in love with the music of Harry Connick, Jr. It was before he was really popular, before the TV and movie appearances, and back when he still had quite a bit of boyish charm. (I'm still a sucker for his charm. And his accent.)

I was adding more of my CDs to my iPod tonight and came across this song - it always puts a smile on my face and sets my feet to tapping.

I hope you enjoy it!