The Blog: Ministry, Music, Media
How was the Christmas at your house? posted on December 27, 2009
Just wondering if you had the time with family and friends that this Christmas weekend lovingly promised? If you have something that surprised and touched you, something you noticed which deepened a relationship with a loved one - it would be gratefully accepted on this blog response. I am looking for what is real - and I believe you are, too. I have learned not to take anything for granted and to be intentional about my love relationships with family. Christmas is yet another opportunity to strengthen these relationships, with hope and love. What do you find important?
I spent very relaxing time with my family. We did not go wild over gifts - but did share a few things and it was indeed fun to open presents and laugh. Mostly it was about slowing down to just be together. We also enjoyed the blessing of some unusual and good food.
What if one of the best ways to serve the common good is to make clear, stand by, express love to and lift up those closest to us? If a person feels loved and has a sense of belonging to a community - like your family, then perhaps when they move in the world - be it on the playground, in the classroom, on the job or in friendships with other people, they will spread all that lifting and hope. Maybe that is all the actual footprint we can truly leave behind the places we have been. Maybe that is all the grace there is because it is so very possible and real.
Music always helps. Play Common Good Radio and sing songs together.
I hope that your weekend was blessed with loving friends, family, or both.
blessings for the common good,
Pastor Robin
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Ten Tips for Toys and Technology when shopping for kids! posted on December 13, 2009
For parents who are trying to make faithful decisions about the balance of technology, toys and presents, 
I know prayer helps. What the kids say they want and what you want for them often live in tension with each other. 
Once again, media offers us many options for research and information.
I found this website that might inform you about some basic concepts regarding toys for Christmas or Hannukah and help you make good decisions for your family. These folks primarily review software for children and take reviews from parents, like you. The link will connect you to some depth to the following list and I hope it helps to organize your thoughts. Here are the ten tips:
1. The best smart toys complement classic play patterns.
2. Look for balance between the toy and its technology.
3. Simplicity is genius.
4. Yes Dear, price does matter.
5. Kids demand nothing less than power and quality.
6. “No computer required” is becoming more attractive.
7. Understand the rechargeable toy.
8. Child development leads the way.
9. Kids are smarter than most toy
designers think
10. Remember the Beanie Baby
Music: we are playing music of the season for the most part right now - listen for Clay Aiken, Ashanti, Frank Sinatra, Cyndi Lauper and Whitney Houston! We also have characters from Sesame Street and some voices you might not have heard before but we hope you will enjoy. My Christmas CD is playing, and I thank those of you who are making purchases of this music because it helps pay the bills here at Common Good Radio.
So, tell all your friends that this webstream is free, faithful and focused on hope for a world that needs it! Family friendly, too.
With blessings for the common good,
Pastor Robin
There are 5 comments “Ten Tips for Toys and Technology when shopping for kids!” was posted by Pastor Robin
This Christmas Eat Yummy, Eat Healthy posted on December 8, 2009
The holidays have arrived and like you, I get together with friends and family and eat. Love holiday food.
Cookies are so pretty, cakes sparkle and cheesy appetizers make my mouth happy. Unfortunately the rest of my body does not rejoice with the indulgence. Anybody else?
Can we Christians remember to celebrate what is worthy of celebrating, the birth of the Christ, 
and go crazy in happy, gratitude-filled prayer while leaving the other over-indulgences in the back seat of the Christmas car?
I get concerned about this, not only because I dislike putting on poundage in the twelfth month of the year, but also because I wonder as parents if it is possible to set up the notion of celebrating the sacred holiday with healthier habits modeled to the children? I know it is a stretch, but let’s remember what some of the really good for us foods are and eat some of those during our gathering. 
Here is a cool list I found of yummy, healthy food.
That being said, I am trying to trim the fat and excess from the Christmas cookies, too. Share some of your favorites tips? Here is a Cooking Light recipe 
for two of my favorite flavors: chocolate and peanut butter!
blessings for the common good,
Pastor Robin
There are 5 comments “This Christmas Eat Yummy, Eat Healthy” was posted by Pastor Robin
This Christmas Eat Yummy, Eat Healthy posted on December 8, 2009
The holidays have arrived and like you, I get together with friends and family and eat. Love holiday food.
Cookies are so pretty, cakes sparkle and cheesy appetizers make my mouth happy. Unfortunately the rest of my body does not rejoice with the indulgence. Anybody else?
Can we Christians remember to celebrate what is worthy of celebrating, the birth of the Christ, and go crazy in happy, gratitude-filled prayer while leaving the other over-indulgences in the back seat of the Christmas car?
I get concerned about this, not only because I dislike putting on poundage in the twelfth month of the year, but also because I wonder as parents if it is possible to set up the notion of celebrating the sacred holiday with healthier habits modeled to the children? I know it is a stretch, but let’s remember what some of the really good for us foods are and eat some of those during our gathering. Here is a cool list I found of yummy, healthy food.
That being said, I am trying to trim the fat and excess from the Christmas cookies, too. Share some of your favorites tips? Here is a Cooking Light recipe for two of my favorite flavors: chocolate and peanut butter! Let the common good be served with healthier people to make good things happen!
Music: Listen for music of the season and what we celebrate during Advent and Christmas with songs from artists like: Ashanti, Moody Blues, Brian Seltzer, Cyndi Lauper, Sesame Street characters and many more!
blessings for the common good,
Pastor Robin
There are 4 comments “This Christmas Eat Yummy, Eat Healthy” was posted by Pastor Robin
World Aids Day posted on December 1, 2009
To think that thousands of children are raising themselves because their parents died in a place like, say - Orlando, Columbus or Seattle - would be unthinkable. We would gather around the babies becoming the mothers and fathers the children need because our hearts would be moved; to keep them from breaking we would have to pray and act. Why then is it okay for this to happen to children in Africa? Are we not moved because we do not know?
Today, Alicia Keys, sang a concert in NYC for her charity, Keep a Child Alive. 
Check out this article that gives some information about AIDS, HIV and what you can do to make things better.
If you are not infected with a disease or virus that might end your life, praise God for your good health. And, be sure to hug and kiss your kids today and thank God you could. Let’s see life as a gift and continue to find ways to share hope and kindness with one another. Maybe it begins with awareness? Thanks for lifting your awareness to realize there are many who need our prayers.
blessings for the common good,
Pastor Robin
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World Aids Day posted on December 1, 2009
To think that thousands of children are raising themselves because their parents died in a place like, say - Orlando, Columbus or Seattle - would be unthinkable. We would gather around the babies becoming the mothers and fathers the children need because our hearts would be moved; to keep them from breaking we would have to pray and act. Why then is it okay for this to happen to children in Africa? Are we not moved because we do not know?
Today, Alicia Keys, sang a concert in NYC for her charity, Keep a Child Alive. Check out this article that gives some information about AIDS, HIV and what you can do to make things better.
If you are not infected with a disease or virus that might end your life, praise God for your good health. And, be sure to hug and kiss your kids today and thank God you could. Let’s see life as a gift and continue to find ways to share hope and kindness with one another. Maybe it begins with awareness? Thanks for lifting your awareness to realize there are many who need our prayers.
blessings for the common good,
Pastor Robin
