If you didn't read my previous post, you need to start there. It explains why I want to make six top-six lists for '06. :-) In that post, I gave you my first top-six list. Today I'll try to do a few more.
To continue the theme of my much-used iPod, I want to list my top six songs for '06. I'll try to hit songs from different "genres" to show you my eccentric musical taste.
My Top Six Songs for 2006 are as follows:
Untitled Hymn (Come to Jesus) - by Chris Rice. Quite simply states the gospel message, and outlines the great benefits of being a Christ-follower. One of the most comforting and encouraging songs I could imagine hearing.
Life is a Highway - by Tom Cochrane. The lyrics to this song really help describe why I love road trips so much!!
Song of the South - by Alabama. I LOVE classic rock and Southern rock music. I stumbled on this song when I was making a road trip CD for a couple of friends, and just can't stop listening to it.
Theme from "Jurassic Park" - written by John Williams Not really a "song", but it's a wonderful piece of music. We played it in my Pops concert in November, and it had such fabulous horn parts that I wanted to listen to it all the time. Williams is truly an incredible composer!!
Bringing out the Elvis - by Faith Hill I used to be very anti-country music. But I read a novel last year that talked about how cowboys long ago used songs in their work ... "cowboy songs" ... and from there I started listening to classic country. Now, I know that "Bringing out the Elvis" isn't in any way, shape or form "classic" country ... but the other type of country that I've come to enjoy is the fun-amusing type of song. If you really want a good laugh, listen to "Play that Country Tuba, Cowboy" by the Vandals.
C'est si bon - by Eartha Kitt. I have really started enjoying listening to French music ... caught onto that when I was in France in '05 and enjoyed listening to the radio in the car even though I didn't understand anything they were saying. The French language is so pleasing to listen to!
My next top-six list will be my top-six websites. I spend a lot of time surfing. (Too much time, really.) Here are some of my favorites.
My Top Six Websites for 2006 are as follows:
Photo.net - I love photography and am growing as a photographer, solely thanks to this internet organization. See for yourself. My portfolio has gone from snapshots to more technically (if not artistically) improved images. I still have a LONG way to go, but am so grateful for the help and encouragement that I've been getting in this online community.
Wikipedia - hands down, I use Wikipedia so often, just to chase down my own personal rabbit trails of curiosity. I know that the site has become controversial lately because of potential for errors, but I believe that they are good at policing the site and noting pages that haven't been verified.
Google - I use Google for just about everything. I use the google search box at the top of my browser religiously.
Blue Letter Bible - An excellent website for the text of Scripture. You can link to about 20 different translations, do text searches on words & phrases, and link directly to commentaries, Bible dictionaries, concordances, and even related hymns.
Caring Bridge - You have read previously that my adult Sunday School class teacher has brain cancer. He has a Caring Bridge website. The website is an invaluable source of information on his progress for his family and friends (who don't really want to keep calling the family and bothering them), and gives us the opportunity to leave encouraging messages to him in the guest book. Caring Bridge fulfills an excellent roll for patients who are seriously ill.
Weather.com - I know, I know - corny. But really, I use that website ALL the time!! I even have the little icon in my task bar so that I always know what the temperature is!!
Next ... if you've been looking at the side bar of my blog for any length of time, you've noticed that I've been doing a "read the Bible in a year" program. So ... I'm not finished. Probably, it will still take me another couple of weeks. But I expected that, as I'm a very slow reader. But I have to say that this has been one of the most rewarding things I have ever done. Reading the Bible from beginning to end, in order, with an eye for the big picture is a life changing experience. I have always attended churches that look at the Bible exegetically. I agree with that approach, but have found that the bird's eye view has also been very rewarding. Here are some of my favorite passages from what I've read so far.
My Top Six Bible passages for 2006 are as follows:
Genesis, chapters 30-50 - the story of Joseph. His attitude of acceptance and forgiveness when his brothers came to him during the famine are amazing.
Numbers 22-24 - the story of Balaam. No, not because it's one of the places in the Bible that uses a cuss word. And, in fact, I can't exactly tell you why Balaam's story fascinates me. But there are many other passages in the Bible that refer back to this story. And it's one that I want to go back to for more in-depth study.
Matthew 14:23-33 and Luke 22:55-62 - I like just about any story about Peter. His passion and enthusiasm are very inspiring to me. I especially love the story about Peter asking to get out of the boat and to walk on water, too. I would have never had the guts. I also love the story in Luke of Peter's denial of Christ. Upon the third time he denies knowing the Lord, Jesus turns and looks him in the eye. In the chaos of the courtyard, with everyone around and everyone agitated, Jesus made eye contact with Peter, who was supposed to be a close friend, and who just denied knowing Him.
Genesis 35:23-26 and Matthew 1:1-16 - You already know that I'm a bit of a nerd. I really LOVE Bible genealogies. I love the continuity they give to the entire Scripture. The Genesis passage lists the twelve sons of Jacob. These twelve patriarchs are the fathers of the twelve tribes of Israel. The Matthew passage traces Jesus ancestors from Abraham through Judah through David and to His earthly father, Joseph. It's fascinating to read some of the stories involved with these names.
The Book of Psalms - I just love the Psalms. They are so encouraging.
The Book of Romans - The book of Romans is probably the best, most concise book of theology in the Bible. And ... it's as far as I've gotten. I'll finish up the epistles and Revelation in the next few weeks. :-)
You know I'm a movie buff. This next list will not be my favorite all-time movies, which would include several black and white old movies. Nope, this will be my favorite movies that came out in 2006 (or that were still in the theaters in the early part of the year).
My Top Six Movies for 2006 are as follows:
Memoirs of a Geisha - hands down, my favorite 2006 movie. A must-see.
Flags of our Fathers - a movie that every single American should see. Very well done! Bravo Mr. Eastwood!
Pirates of the Caribbean - I hadn't seen the first Pirates movie, but rented it before I saw this one. I LOVE these movies. Can't WAIT for #3!!
Madea's Family Reunion - Go Tyler Perry! His plays and movies ROCK!
Superman Returns - add this to the list of superhero movies that I try not to like, but end up loving!! (Like Spiderman and X-Men....)
The Devil Wears Prade - Meryl Streep rocks! This movie is hilarious ... and it's as if there's NO ONE else in it, but Meryl. She also did A Prarie Home Companion this year, which was also a great movie. I'd recommend both of them!
You know that I spend a lot of time (too much time) looking at photographs online. Here are six photos from photo.net that I thought were some of the best that I looked at in 2006. They are not THE top six ... again, I tried to represent some different genres of photography.
My Top Six photos for 2006 are as follows: I can't figure out why this big space is here....
There are other lists that I thought of, but didn't want to post due to privacy or attempts to make this a rather non-partisan blog. :-) Hope you've enjoyed my six top six lists for 2006! :-)
