Review: "Rejoice" CD

One day on Facebook I saw a post from BookSneeze about a CD available for review called Rejoice by Women of Faith. 

Some of these songs were familiar while others were new to me.  One I particularly liked was called "Greatness of our God."  I love that it ends with "Great Is Thy Faithfulness."  I look forward to listening to this again and again; it's already on my iPod.

There are 10 wonderful songs on this CD.  If you enjoy listening to music in your home or while you drive, this is a great choice.  It would also make a nice gift.

From Thomas Nelson:
  REJOICE captures the unbridled joy, awestruck adoration, and reverent worship audiences experience over the course of a two-day Women of Faith event.

Includes:
1.Beautiful Redeemer
2.So Good
3.Forever Reign
4.Come As You Are
5.Hosanna
6.Our God
7.Glory To God
8.You Brought the Sunshine
9.Greatness of Our God
10.Great Is Thy Faithfulness

Let us rejoice and be glad today! Psalm 118:24

Have a day of blessings!


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

2009 Book #23: Catching Fireflies

We are told to let our light shine, and if it does, we won't need to tell anybody it does. Lighthouses don't fire cannons to call attention to their shining-- they just shine.

Dwight L. Moody

Catching Fireflies by Patsy Clairmont is an excellent book that I thoroughly enjoyed. I first heard of the book back in March when we attended the Women of Faith conference. It was a joy to hear Patsy speak, and I knew I'd enjoy her book if it was anything like the bright, spunky gal who shared at the conference.

This is one of those books that is so enjoyable to read that you want to keep reading to find out what stories and little flickers of encouragement the author will share next. Each chapter focuses on a different type of light source, such as lamplights, candlelights, flashlights, Christmas lights, starlight, lighthouses and of course fireflies to name a few. The chapters begin with a story of some sort about that particular type of light, has a few thought-provoking questions, and then concludes with "Bright Ideas" which relates that light to a Bible story.

I can say this book taught me a lot. First of all, it reminded me of all the references to light in the Bible. My theme verse for my life is Matthew 5:16. This book showed me that everyone can be a light. Even a simple act done for another can offer a flicker of hope to keep someone from giving up. Some people in our lives are strong towering lighthouses while others just consistently give us rays of sunshine amidst the regularity of daily life. Both types of people are necessary. The important thing is to SHINE.

Thank you to Patsy Clairmont for this excellent book and enjoyable read. As Patsy says, "Shine, girlfriend, shine!"
~~~~~
"In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16

(I have another book review today also, see below!)

Song: "He Is With You"

Mandisa sang this song at the Women of Faith conference. I loved in so much, and it was really what made me want to buy her new CD, "Freedom." I hope this song blesses you.



I believe people will be able to relate to this song. Everyone is going through something that people on the outside may never see. Whatever that is though, He really is with each of us.

When I listened to it after buying the CD, it made me think of our time with Mammaw in her final days with us. As I've listened to it more and more, I've thought of other families that God is with right now.

He is with Stellan and his family in Boston.

He is with the Baldry and Everedge families who've said goodbye to their baby boys.

He is with Christy as she waits for her hubby to come home.

He is with Lesly as she goes through chemo...again.

He is with Jay and Lauren.

He is with the daughter caring for her sick mother.

He is with the husband who feels overloaded with pressures from work.

He is with the couple dealing with infertility.

He is with the girl who feels she'll never find her special someone.

He is with YOU.

HE is with you.

He is with you.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6

What is your song?

It was a blessing to hear Sandi Patty sing as well as share from her heart at Women of Faith.

One thing she spoke about keeps playing over and over in my head. She talked about the role music has always played in her life. As a child it was something that brought her attention and made people like her. Eventually she realizes she lost her song though. She continued to share about a scientist, Dr. David Deamer, and his research with DNA. She compared the DNA to a slinky. The waves of the DNA strand make music. My simple brain doesn't understand it, and I'm probably not even explaining it clearly for that matter. But I do know that every person has a different, unique DNA strand. So that means each one of us have DNA that is a different song. Isn't that wonderful! We aren't all the same, and God never intended for us to be like everyone around us. (In trying to figure out how to put this into words, I found a site that has examples of DNA music. Interesting!)

What is your song? Are you proud of that song that is you, or are you trying to copy someone else's song because you think they sound better? You are special. God made you for this time and place for a reason. You have been put here on purpose. Do you realize there is no one else like you and no one else can do the role you are doing? You may feel insignificant or feel that your song doesn't matter. God gave you your talents and abilities to use for Him to fulfill a purpose. Have you lost your song? Have you been hurt and aren't even sure what your song is? God can renew you and help you find the song He gave you again. Are you sharing your song with others? The song you've been given needs to be shared. The people in your lives may be able to hear and receive your song when others have been unable to reach them. Live your life in such a way that others can hear the song God gave you.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalm 139:14

It's a Grand NEW DAY!

I am very thankful to the generosity of the ladies at Laced with Grace who hosted a giveaway for Women of Faith tickets back in the fall. I was surprised and excited when I won. I chose to go to the conference in Shreveport this past weekend. Where can I even begin to share about the weekend?

We left home Friday morning. My Mom attended the conference with me and my hubby was our driver. The theme for the conference this year is "A Grand New Day." We got to the conference center about noon, just in time for our lunch and to hear the start of the next session. We enjoyed singing from Sandi Patty and lessons by Marilyn Meberg, Sandi Patty (I loved her talk), and Steve Arterburn. The boys picked us up when the session was over, and we visited the Boardwalk for supper. Caleb also got to make a bear at Build A Bear workshop. This was great fun to watch his excitement as he picked his bear and outfit. (More on this later in another post.) We went back to the conference in the evening for an amazing concert by Stephen Curtis Chapman as well as a lesson with Patsy Clairmont. She is so funny!


Saturday morning we were back for another blessed time with Lisa Harper, Sheila Walsh, Lisa Whelchel (from Facts of Life), Allison Allen. Our afternoon started with Mandisa (wow can this girl sing!) and then more from Marilyn Meberg and Lisa Harper finished her lesson.


I'd never heard any of these speakers before so it was quite a treat to learn from them all. God really used them to speak to my heart. I plan to share more over the coming weeks little tidbits I gained and hope will bless your life as well if I can get those things into words. The theme verse for the weekend was so fitting for the Grand New Day theme. You can see it below (Lamentations 3:22, 23).


Again I'd like to say thank you to Laced with Grace for this opportunity. My Mom and I both enjoyed our Women of Faith conference experience more than words can say.

***Please note the two posts below: one for prayer requests and one about a Laced with Grace giveaway. Thank you.***
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"The Lord's love never ends; his mercies never stop. They are new every morning." Lamentations 3:22, 23 NCV

Surprise!

This week I found out I was the winner of the giveaway sponsored at Laced With Grace. I've been meaning to write about this during the week but time has slipped away from me! I was very excited to read the post that I was the winner. Here is what I won!

I have never been to a Women of Faith event and look forward to being able to attend. This is a blessing to win this prize, and I thank the team at Laced with Grace for this nice giveaway! I've looked at the schedule for 2009 and am not sure yet which event I'll be able to attend. I have to figure out the details....one of which is when my little boy will be starting school. (Did I just type that!!!) I am also excited that Stephen Curtis Chapman is on the schedule at these events.

I just wanted to say thank you and share with my readers this exciting blessing from my week. I realized after I did Thankful Thursday I should have included this!
~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High." Psalm 7:17

Book #38: The Perfect Life

This week I quickly finished this book The Perfect Life by Robin Lee Hatcher. This is the story of Katherine Clarkson. She sees her life as perfect with her wonderful, good looking husband and two married, pregnant daughters. She must do a reality check though when her life is suddenly thrown into the public eye after allegations against her husband's faithfulness and financial misconduct with his organization In Step, which provides homes for those who otherwise couldn't afford it. Katherine has to do some serious soul searching and seek God to determine if she trusts her husband. She learns some valuable lessons about herself, her husband, her daughters, and God.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6