Counting on Signs

I love numbers.  I really do.  I think it's why I have gravitated to numerical tasks, such as data analysis, in all the jobs that I have ever had.  On this 4th Day of Advent 2016, I am appreciative of numerical signs I get on most days.  From palindromic odomoeters to random numberical coincidences to data that speaks to me, numbers provide signs to me constantly.  So, with apologies to Michael (because this is another song with out the word sign in it), I give you a song from the COUNTING Crows that I chose because it's references to rain (and boy did it rain today!).  I actually never knew this song, but it's the Advent song.  Enjoy, and COUNT on more signs during Advent 2016!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLHso6hLHFA

Giving Good Love

Advent Day #3 and still, as Pastor Michael asked, looking for signs on 11/29/16.  Today I was witness to many signs of love.  In my family and even at the workplace.  Signs of love, to me, are signs of God's work here on Earth.  For love, in my opinion, is the purest emotion.  And, frankly, love is the answer to many (if not all) of the World's problems.  So, this song does not have the word "sign" in it, but I am inspired to use it tonight anyway!  Plus, how can one go wrong with Whitney Houston?!?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dY7PmX6Oz58

Signed, Sealed, Delivered

11/28/16, the first day back after a long weekend.  So the workday was like coming up too fast and getting the bends.  But, sitting at my desk this afternoon, I was trying to cleanup, and I found some thank you cards from students.  To me, this was a sign (as Pastor Michael has asked us to explore during Advent).  No matter how stressed I might get at work, I need to remember why I (and my colleagues) do it.  The Students.  SO, the thank you notes lifted me up, and I needed them.  So, just as Stevie sang, I was happy they had been signed, sealed, and delivered!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvRwR-hZDVY

Seeing Signs

In his Children's Sermon on the First Sunday in Advent (11/27/2016), Pastor Michael asked us when we have seen signs in our lives.  He asked us to think, during Advent, of the signs we may have seen or may be seeing and reflect on them as our Advent discipline.  I will use this as a means to also get an additional 27 or so songs into the queue, hopefully all having to do with signs.  Hoping that inspiration hits me dually for the next four weeks or so.  For today, I have thought about all of the signs in my life, those that I have heeded and those that I have ignored.  The sign when a pretty girl tells you that your steps are dirty, you invite her over later to clean them, and 22 years later you have been happily married for 17+ years.  Or the sign of a retirement email, which one forwards to colleague with a snarky coment and, five months later one has a new job and, two years after the snark, one has his dream job.  Or, finally, inspiring the song of the Advent Day, the sign that a friend received when she finally realized she had to get our of a loveless marriage.  I remember the Summer of 1994, when this song from Ace of Base was the #1 hit of the Summer and I remember the symbolism as my friend and I were able to reconnect and we had a fun summer, now that she had shed her baggage.  When I hear this song, that is what I think of.  Seeing signs that, eventually, better one's life.  Hopefully you all will have these signs during Advent (and beyond).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqu132vTl5Y