if you have never heard of these amazing shoes, be sure to check out this blog http://rebornbutterfly.wordpress.com/2009/10/30/lovely-things-i-love/
Well now you can enter to win your very own pair!
click here http://bit.ly/fDWga and tweet to win a pair (You don’t have to be a member of twitter to enter, but twitter’s fun!)
and if you use the above link that i gave you, i am entered an additional time!
I love downhere, I would say they’re one of my top 10 favorite bands. I own practically every cd they’ve put out (I don’t own any of the digitally produced albums!). They’re always among the most played cds on my ipod. When I learned earlier this year the guys were releasing a Christmas album I knew it would be great, just like everything else they’ve done!
This music truly is worthy of a listen any time of the year. There’s plenty of old favorites, some little known carols, and even some brand new tracks written by downhere themselves!
I was pleased to see a new favorite carol I discovered last year on the cd; (at least it’s new to me, it’s an old song) Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella.
Since the single How Many Kings made it’s debut on Centricity’s Christmas album Bethlehem Skyline the guys have changed it up a bit. They’ve added some strings AND in the Re-Imagined version Jason (instead of Marc) takes the lead vocals. I can’t say which I like better, both the guys bring great vibe to the song.
It’s completely different from the original and just as good, definitely a favorite on the cd.
Another song which is totally amazing is Christmas in our Hearts. Have a listen if you can!
In classic Downhere style there are a couple of surprises along the way. I’ll let you discover those 
For some of you it might be a bit early to even think about Christmas again, but trust me, when you’re ready for it, pop in How Many Kings and you’ll get in the spirit. Just start singing!
After you’re through reading this review (and a couple others *hint, hint*) be sure to check out their site. It’s pretty cool and you can read the guys’ blogs!(just click the pic!)
Thanks to the awesome people at Centricity Music for providing this cd for me to review!
Jen Hatmaker is a woman I would love to have coffee with! I can’t even imagine in what directions our conversation would go. She has some of the exact same thoughts i have and also some that have really challenged me to think beyond myself.
This book is honest, and passionate and full of living for the least of these. This book wasn’t a quick read for me, I wanted to take my time with it and soak it up!
At the end of the sections she made a list of what books, films or people influenced her during that time of discovery in her life. Most of them I knew of and enjoyed!
It’s just an honest portrayal of a woman finding out how to truly love people with a passion, and that passion leaps off the pages! I loved that every once in while her husband would chime in with his perspective, that really made it feel like a conversation. I can’t help being positive about this book. I really think Jen’s book will challenge a lot of people, I know she challenged me. Definitely worth reading over and over again.
If you live or at some time will be in the Austin, Tx area you should really check out her church, Austin New Church. I know i want to!
Also, if you would like to get deeper into this book a DVD group study is available through Lifeway Christian Book stores.
Thanks to Navpress’ generosity I was sent this book. I have read it in its entirity and have not been compensated in any way other than with the review copy itself. This is my honest opinion, i have not be asked to give a blanket approval of any book.
About the book:
At Last . . . The Circle Reborn
The story of how Thomas Hunter first entered the Black Forest and forever changed our history began at a time when armies were gathered for a final battle in the valley of Migdon. Green is a story of love, betrayal, and sweeping reversals set within the apocalypse. It is the beginning: the truth behind a saga that has captured the imagination of more than a million readers with the Books of History Chronicles.
But even more, Green brings full meaning to the Circle Series as a whole, reading as both prequel to Black and sequel to White, completing a full circle. This is Book Zero, the Circle Reborn, both the beginning and the end. The preferred starting point for new readers . . . and the perfect climax for the countless fans who’ve experienced Black, Red, and White.
My Review:
Ted Dekker is one of the BEST thriller fiction writers out there. Many of his books have even been turned into films and Manga comic books.
Green is the 1st, or the 4th or better yet, number zero in his circle series. It might be a bit confusing on the surface, but i promise, it’s not!
It’s the start (or end) to a great story, that’s worth curling up for and reading. As always Ted wrote an extremely engaging and fast pace story which you will not want to put down. Green doesn’t come off as an afterthought, or just a way to boost sales. It really feels like a legitimate part of the series that has been well thought out. I am really glad Ted Dekker was finally able to finish telling this story!
Some of the final scenes were a little too contrived and convenient for my taste, but it also worked out well in the end. I obviously can’t give out the exact ending, but I think longtime readers of this series are going to be satisfied.
in accordance with new rules by the FTC, this is my disclaimer to let you know i received this book for free in exchange for an unbiased review. I have not been compensated in any way other than with the review product itself.
I love C.S. Lewis, he is such a great writer and thinker! But, sometimes I’m just not in the mood to sit down and delve into one of his books. That was why I was so excited to learn that one of my favorite Lewis book was turning into an audio drama. Some books are just richer when they are read out loud and Screwtape Letters is one of those books.
Focus on the Family has an extensive repertoire of great audio dramas and so had a reputation to keep up. They have recently dramatized a fantastic drama of all seven books in The Chronicles of Narnia series, but i think they showed up everyone and even themselves with their production of “letters”. Granted, with Andy Serkis (Gollum in Lord of the Rings) playing Uncle Screwtape how can you possibly go wrong?
The actors’ voices are perfect for their respective roles, the sound quality and effects are well done. I would caution against listening to this drama while in the car, or with small children who might be frightened by loud and sudden noises.
One of the bonuses that i particularly enjoyed was a collection of 10 songs inspired by Screwtape Letters, this is the first time i have ever heard of anything like that included on the cds of a audio drama.
Also, be sure to check out the DVD that comes with this collector’s edition, it has some neat features!
On a side note, the visual artists did an amazing job on the cover and inside art, you can’t see what i’m talking about based on the cover above, but it’s awesome!
click on the picture above or on this link to learn more about this great audio drama! http://www.screwtape.com/
in accordance with new rules by the FTC, this is my disclaimer to let you know i received this book for free in exchange for a unbiased review. I have not been compensated in any way other than with the review product itself.
By Richard Abanes.
This author has also written several books on Christianity and Pop culture. I’ve always enjoyed learning about different religions and how they compare to Christianity. Richard Abanes is one of the very best authors on this particular subject.
He covers every major “celebrity” religion out there (at least the one i could name off the top of my head) I definitely appreciated all of the the notes and references on the religions. He writes in a fun and easy to read way.But he also manages to write with a clear urgency to fight against the false teachings in these religions. highly recommend for people who wish to know what the popular culture deems “cool”.
My sister is interested in these types of book as well. She’s looking forward to reading this book!
From the Back Cover:
Married off at a tender age to a harsh, older widower, Lydia Gray can’t help but feel a measure of relief when an accident claims his life. What happens next, however, is a surprise to everyone: Through an unforeseen fluke, Lydia finds herself the sole recipient of her late husband’s fortune. But instead of granting her security, strife ensues as her adult stepchildren battle to regain the inheritance for themselves.
Lydia longs to wash her hands of the situation and determines to join her aunt in Alaska, putting financial decisions in the capable hands of her lawyer. The beauty and serenity of life in Sitka appeal to Lydia, as does Kjell Lindquist, the handsome owner of the local sawmill. But a new discovery in Lydia’s life forces her to rethink her future.
She is bound to her past as never before . . . but what more must she sacrifice?
My Review.
Tracie Peterson is one of the best selling authors in the Christian Historical fiction genre. In her latest series Tracie has again shown her worth. I think this is possibly the finest, “edgiest” work she has written yet. If you are wanting a Christian book that still has bite to it this is THE ONE you’ll want to pick up. It might be a quick weekend read for some, but it will make a lasting impression, and you’ll remember this book for a while. It was a delightful, suspenseful and yet sobering novel. I was immediately pulled into the characters lives and thoughts. Every emotion Lydia felt i felt right alongside her. I was so tied to the characters that I HATED to see Dawn’s Prelude end! Whether this is the first Tracie Peterson book or you’ve been a reader of hers for a while you will not be disappointed.
How incredibly gifted can one person be? This guy is one of the best singer/songwriters out there. I was a little frightened that Jason Gray would not be able to match the brilliancy that is shown in his previous record, All the Lovely Losers. I am delighted to say that fear was completely ungrounded. Even after listening to this cd nearly non-stop for two weeks it hasn’t gotten old.
This is not a light listening record. Sure, the songs he sings are fun, but when you get down to listening to the lyrics and really hearing what Jason is saying, this cd becomes piercing. I don’t know of any other songwriter who can write of such things in so eloquent a way.
here’s a few of the tracks that really stand out for me:
“How I Ended up Here” is a funny tongue-in-cheek song about avoiding people. It’s so funny at first listen but then, when you really listen to the lyrics it becomes sobering. Here’s the lyrics:
http://jasongraymusic.com/home#/music/how_i_ended_up_here
One of the songs that is very reflective of our humanity is “Everything Sad is Coming Untrue” and particularly Pt. 2 see lyrics here http://jasongraymusic.com/home#/music/esicu2
Possibly the most striking musically is the track, Fade with our Voices.
In “More Like Falling In Love” Jason reveals the heat of every broken person, just looking for someone to love and be loved back Check out the lyrics:
http://jasongraymusic.com/home#/music/more_like_falling_in_love
But, my favorite out of them all, is the Golden Boy and the Prodigal, it is a lyrically rich and is one of the most confessional songs i have heard in a long time.
http://jasongraymusic.com/home#/music/the_golden_boy
Be sure to stop by Jason’s website to have a listen to this amazing record!
I don’t consider myself a big reader of Amish Fiction. I’ve read some good ones and some that were just okay. It’s not my favorite genre. But some of the best of this genre are Beth Wiseman’s Daughters of the Promise series. Beth Wiseman writes the some of the “quirkiest” Amish stories I have read - That’s the only way I can describe it. Sometimes Amish stories can be similar, with the same plots and same characters over and over again, but Beth brings new twists and turns to her stories.
I have read the first, second and now the third in the series. Don’t worry though, if you haven’t read the other books in the series, Beth adds enough of a back story for new readers to follow right along.
Plain Promise is a moving tale of two “englischers”, Kade, a single Dad and Tyler, his autistic son, who are renting the guest cottage of Sadie Fisher a young Amish widow. As Sadie falls in love with Tyler, she also realizes that she’s falling for the father, too!
I liked Plain Perfect and Plain Pursuit, but this novel was even better than the first two in the series!
Max Lucado has written a book that is so appropriate for our times. People are “freaking out” left and right, scared of what might come. It seems like there isn’t a day where the headlines aren’t something straight out of a nightmare! Everyone is afraid of something, whether it is truly rational or totally irrational, but Fearless explores what is at the root of our fears and why God doesn‘t want us to be fearful. Max Lucado shares personal stories, stories of adventurers, and stories of extreme faith. I found this to be a very honest book that shows us to live without fear, and to not let those fears dictate what we do. He urges you to take hold of courage and jump in! Lucado brings us to the heart of our fears, makes us face them and points us to a higher calling, to be fearless. But, don’t take that as a promise, because it’s up to you to make sure that you don’t entertain your fear anymore!
I have to say I’m usually not a reader of Max Lucado books. I don’t know a whole lot about his other books, but i know i really like this one!
