Kirk and Dan continue their discussion on the message of Ecclesiastes by exploring the book’s “above the sun” statements as it gestures towards and ultimately reaches its conclusive instruction for us.
Access the episode here (available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, and more).
Dear family and friends,
The most important event for our family from this past year was the arrival of Evangeline on March 26th. Her name comes from the Latin word for “Gospel,” which refers to the good news about what Christ has done to save his people from their sins through his death on the cross. For her middle name, Alice, she is named after her now late maternal great-grandmother.
Evangeline is such a joyous addition to the family. We are especially thankful to God that we have her in our family. She’s a momma’s girl who loves to be held. She’s a bit more even-keeled than her old sister, Jubilee, whom she loves and finds quite entertaining. Lately, she’s started to crawl, and enjoys the increased mobility.
Jubilee loves being a big sister, although sharing can be hard, and being bossy comes easy. J Jubilee is incredibly fun, energetic, and passionate. She’s full throttle—whether happy, silly (or upset). She’s a strong daddy’s girl (which daddy admittedly enjoys), and loves doing anything and everything with her dad.
Jubilee and Evangeline started a new daycare this year, which was a little rocky at first; but they’ve gotten use to it, and Jubilee enjoys interacting with her friends and teachers. Jubilee’s favorite things to do include reading books, singing, dancing, and playing with dad. Jubilee has also started learning her catechism, and enjoys singing hymns from the hymnal and reading from her children’s Bible.
Annie is staying busy transitioning to being a mother of two. She also continues to enjoy her role as Accounts Payable Specialist at Uline. She will soon be starting her 6th year there. Annie is particularly looking forward to the holiday season, and enjoys trips back home to spend time with family.
Kirk is thoroughly enjoying his role pastoring CrossWay Community Church. He continues to volunteer weekly at the Milwaukee Rescue Mission, teaching a doctrine class and preaching chapel there. Kirk also had the opportunity to publish a few articles online as well as in a magazine and journal this past year. He’s also excited about a short study guide book he authored that will be released for sale this December.
We trust you too have experienced God’s undeserved grace this past year. And we pray that during this time of year your souls find refreshment as we give attention to the marvel of God the Son becoming human—for the salvation of all those who put their trust in him!
With love,
Kirk, Annie, Jubilee, and Evangeline
Linked below is a playlist of Christmas music I created on Spotify. It’s your guide to some of the — in my opinion — best Christmas music, free of the not-so-great sentimental hymns, as well as the incarnationally void “holiday songs” like Jingle Bells and Let It Snow (…not that there’s anything wrong with that #Seinfeld).
Let’s cut to the chase though: there’s a lot of really good Christmas songs out there (which frankly I’d sing year round); but there’s also a lot of not-so-great Christmas stuff. And then, of course, there’s all the whatev- non-religious festive-type songs, which are at best occasionally sentimental and nice, but at worse annualized overkill and cumulatively annoying.
This playlist avoids the host of non-religous holiday songs, to give a pure Advent-themed playlist, but also cuts out all those — in my opinion — mediocre Christmas hymns. (If I didn’t include your favorite song, I’ll take suggestions; but if denied, #SorryNotSorry). What can I say? I’m kind of a Christmas song snob…
Most of the songs here are hymns, or the more “traditional” Christmas songs, although occasionally I’ll include something written more recently. Most of the stuff though is performed in a more contemporary fashion, with even some occasional modified renditions.
So… without further ado, here is your Kirk Miller approved Spotify Christmas playlist.
In this episode, Dan and Kirk continue their discussion on Ecclesiastes by looking at the message (or main claim, or argument) of the book. They discuss the meaning of “vanity” (hevel), as well as some of the primary themes throughout the book.
Access the episode here (available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, and more).
Kirk and Dan begin there series on the book of Ecclesiastes. In this episode they look at the method that Ecclesiastes uses to communicate its message, namely how it functions as a unique expression of wisdom literature.
Access the episode here (available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, and more).
