Music Review: Our God Comes

Antioch Live Worship CD, “Our God Comes” Waco, TX- Antioch Live, the worship band for Antioch Community Church in Waco, Texas, has signed with the new record label Clear Day Worship. As the music arm of Clear Day Media Group based in Waco, Texas, Clear Day Worship and Antioch Live debuted the new album OUR GOD COMES at the World Mandate Conference September 20 and the CD hit #2 on iTunes.

“World Mandate 2013 was the perfect venue for launching this new CD. Everyday people were united by a passion for Jesus with a desire to worship God and change the world. That is what we are about,” states Clear Day Media Group president, David Seibert. “OUR GOD COMES is a passionate and thrilling worship release captured at Antioch Community Church in Waco, TX. We look forward to seeing how God uses this worship music to bless the Church.” continues Seibert.  Antioch is home to a worldwide church planting and worship movement, ministering to the needs of thousands internationally. Antioch Community Church currently has 30 church plants in the United States and another 40 in other parts of the world with more than 30,000 people involved with the movement. Antioch Live's “Forever Sound” CD released last year was #3 on iTunes.

The worship music and lyrics on OUR GOD COMES expresses the heart cry, prayers and joy of the worship team, songwriters and musicians from Antioch, led by James Mark Gulley. From the opening strains of audience approval, joyous praise and worship floods the listeners’ ears and ageless unchanging truths find a new sound for today! The savvy musical arrangements and gifted song writing flow from “Come” to “Our God Comes”, and the glorious experience is documented from the choruses of “Wonderful Counselor”, “How Much More” and “Savior Forever”. Clear Day Media Groupcreates products to help people see God clearly and impact the world through Christ-centered content. The 72-minute, live recording was produced by James Mark Gulley and assistant Owen Wible, recorded by Randy Adams and mastered at Marcussen Mastering in Hollywood, CA by Stephen Marcussen. Featuring songwriters James Mark Gulley, Stephen Gulley, Brandon Seibert, Thomas Wilson and Johanna Six, OUR GOD COMES also features worship leaders James Mark Gulley, Stephen Gulley, Johanna Six and Clare Berlinsky. The full track listing for OUR GOD COMES is as follows: Come God And King Wonderful Counselor God Who Saves How Much More I Will Raise …Response Light Me Up Awaken Us One Hundred Three …Return Savior Forever …Selah Our God Comes

My Reflections:

I so enjoyed listening to this CD in our home, and in the truck driving the kids from one activities to the next. The music is lively, uplifting and has such an amazing beat. One of my favorite song on this Cd would have to be Light Me Up. The upbeat tempo, the lyrics and the live background is perfect, it just speaks to the place where God has lead me to...so awesome!

 At the very time of writing this review the music from Our God Comes is cranked up and the house is alive with the sounds of clapping and dancing! Now that is proof enough of the talent of this band!

As you can probably surmise our family loves worship music and we often only listen to Praise 106.5 in our vehicles. That being said this CD was widely accepted by the children as something new and fresh, they were asking for it to be played over again on the first go around.  For me the depth to the music is what caught my attention, I absolutely loved the lyrics and the way the music mirrored my feelings toward my God, it was a great way to show praise to him. The beauty and passion of the artists are clearly felt, lending this Cd to be a popular choice in our house, I know we will enjoy this music on our car trips and leisure time for months to come. 

I would certainly recommend that you hop on over to I tunes and take a listen for yourself!

This CD was given to me by B and B Media in exchange for my honest review, Thank you B and B Media!

Book Review: Truth Seekers The Machine

ISBN#978 1 4336 9080 8

From the Back:

For ages 8 to 14, Truth Seekers is a fast-paced, thoughtful, and funny new series using a 21st century approach to sharing ancient Bible truths.

In book one, The Machine, twin siblings Jake and Jenny have just lost their mother and are not thrilled about moving to Israel to stay with their seldom seen archaeologist dad. They don’t yet understand how “all things work together for good to those who love God.” But they will when a machine their father invented points them to the Truth.

My Reflections: 

I waited a long time for this book to arrive in the mail to review, in fact I had pretty much given up hope that it would show up, imagine my surprise when it did!
I had to battle the kids first to get my hands on it. When I finally did get to read it I promptly assigned it for homework. A book for the book club! The boys in our homeschooling group all bought it read it and had a great time in discussion. Now that is great value!

All the boys were between the ages of 13-14. They all read it in less than 2 days, and the consensus was a mixed bag. My son said it was good, stellar vocabulary... but hey he is 13. He did elaborate and say it was cool to explore the bible times in a new and exciting format. I think the fact that the mother has died, the siblings having to be uprooted, had something to do with his lack luster attitude (he hates books where people have died)

Not having known their archaeologist father well the siblings who are also twins are sent to be with him in Israel. Upon arrival the adventures abound, with the aid of quirky gadgets and ingenious inventions the kids get to experience the history of artifacts and learn about the Bible and most importantly how it points us back to a relationship with God.

The characters were well rounded for a YA book, and the humor was awesome, I found my self chuckling from time to time. I loved how this book portrayed the relationship between the children Jennifer and Jake. So true to life, and I think kids could really relate to this on again off again sibling behavior. I loved how when times got tough they worked together to get through, this really shows our kids what family means.

This was a wonderful resource for my homeschooling curriculum, and I would highly recommend it for the YA in your life!

I received this book from B and B Media Group in exchange for my honest opinion, thank you B and B!

 About the Author: 

Bill Myers

Bill Myers is the author of the humorously imaginative The Incredible Worlds of Wally McDoogle series, which currently numbers 27 episodes and over 2.1 million units sold. He is also the creator and writer of the McGee and Me! video/dvd series. Myers is a director as well as a writer, and his films have won over forty national and international awards. He has written more than 50 books for kids, teens, and adults. Myer's work is enjoyed by millions around the world. He lives with his wife and two daughters in Southern California.

Book Review: Small Town Girl

 

About The Book:

How long can two people stand on the brink of love without plunging in headfirst?

In the autumn of 1941, rumors of war whisper through Rosey Corner. The town practically vibrates with apprehension, as if it is holding its breath. But for Kate Merritt, it seems life is letting out a prolonged sigh. As Kate watches her sister marry the man Kate has loved since she was fifteen, her heart is silently breaking. And even the attentions of Jay Tanner, the handsome best man, can't draw her interest.

Then suddenly, Pearl Harbor changes everything and Kate finds herself drawn to Jay in surprising ways. Could she truly be in love with him? And if he enlists, will she ever see him again?

In her gentle and textured style, Ann H. Gabhart tells a timeless story of love, sacrifice, and longing that will grip your heart and stir your spirit. Fans of Gabhart's Angel Sister will love seeing Kate Merritt all grown-up, as well as other characters they have come to love.

My relaxing river companion, what a great place to read!

My Reflections:

 Ann Gabhart takes her readers on a sweet coming of age drama. Kate thinks love may have passed her by as she watches her sister marry the only man she believes she has loved since she was fifteen.

Kate, the sister in the middle, finds her self drawn to the best man, and drifter by the name of Jay Tanner. After snubbing her life long friend to explore her feelings, Kate struggles to understand her new found friendship towards Mr Tanner, and decide whether to give in to her emotions or hold fast to her stubborn determination and beliefs towards him.  Will love win out? Does the  handsome rugged Tanner go to war?

Gabhart captures the World War II era in this novel authentically, with all the sacrifices and anticipation vibrating off the pages you feel as though you too are trapped in the time when the world was drastically changed.

Gabhart has masterfully painted her readers an endearing and enchanting town in Rosy Corner. The residents are colorful and engaging and the story wraps its self around your heart until you truly feel like you know the characters. I absolutely love when I read a novel that envelops my senses enough to make me forget the world around me. This is one of those books!

I have not had the pleasure of reading the first book in this series but will definitely be purchasing it in the near future.This author is definitely one to keep your eyes on, I am hoping to see a sequel to this novel in the near future.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".


About The Author:

Ann H. Gabhart is the bestselling author of several novels, including Angel Sister, Words Spoken True, The Outsider, The Believer, The Seeker, The Blessed, and The Gifted. She lives with her husband a mile from where she was born in rural Kentucky. Find out more at www.annhgabhart.com.

Book Review: In Golden Splendor

 ISBN: 978-1-4336-7820-2

 From the Back:

Irish immigrant Seamus Hanley is a lost soul, haunted by his past as a U.S. Army deserter and living alone in the wilderness of the Rocky Mountains in 1849. But after witnessing a deadly stage coach crash, he finds purpose in the scattered wreckage -- a letter with a picture of a beautiful and captivating woman named Ashlyn living in San Francisco at the height of the Gold Rush.
Moved by her written plea for help, he abandons all and sets out on an epic journey across the wild and picturesque American frontier. While being pursued by those who want to hang him, Seamus encounters fascinating characters including a young Pauite Indian who makes the ultimate sacrifice in helping Seamus to cross the snowy Yosemite Valley.
Battered but changed for the better, Seamus reaches San Francisco on Christmas Eve as the city burns in the tragic fire of 1849. But there is little time for rest, as an even greater, more harrowing adventure involving Ashlyn is about to begin.

My Reflections:

This book sounded like an interesting and engaging book and I was pretty excited to have the opportunity to read it. Unfortunately the story line had so many characters I found it challenging to keep the story straight in my head. Although I did enjoy the fact that all the characters demonstrated solid values like forgiveness, love and hope, that was the thing that spurred me on.
 I am thankful I did!

Even though this book didn't capture my interest as expected I was pleasantly surprised that a male writer could dish up a good romance just as well as his female contenders.


The second Heirs of Ireland novel centers on Seamus Hanley, brother to Clare, the lead of Flight of the Earls. The storyline is fast paced, with twists and turns and a few surprising events. my addled brain eventually adjusted to the many charterers by this point.

Seamus Hanley proved to be an inspiring character, a man running from a past he could not escape. From Ireland to the Rocky Mountains to San Francisco, Seamus encounters many along his journey that slowly help him become the man God created him to be.

This book has all the aspects you would want in a historical christian fiction, humor, action/adventure, family, love, danger, history, suspense and most importantly a faith based message.

So if you are looking for a complex, yet deep and thought provoking read, laced with a little romance I would say this is it!

I received this book free of charge in return for my honest review from B and B media Group. Thank you B and B!

About the Author:




Michael K. Reynolds is the writer and producer of Emmy and Telly Award-winning film campaigns and has more than two decades of experience in fiction, journalism, copywriting, and documentary production. He owns Global Studio, a marketing agency, and is also an active leader in church and business, speaking in both ministry and corporate settings. Michael lives with his wife and three children in Reno, Nevada.

Q and A from the Lysa TerKeurst and Glynnis Whitwer : The NIV Real-Life Devotional Bible for Women

The NIV Real-Life Devotional Bible for Women

Every woman faces challenges that only another woman can understand. In a culture that is oftentimes antagonistic to biblical values, Christian women are desperate for a daily dose of spiritual reality and a focused time for critical thinking and reflection. The NIV Real-Life Devotional Bible for Women is the consummate aid to help a woman gain divine perspective in her quiet moments alone with God. Mature Christians will applaud the depth and character of the devotional content while novices may use the new Bible to institute a fresh start or mark a new beginning in their lives.

Q & A with Lysa TerKeurst and Glynnis Whitwer What was the motivation for the Real Life Devotional Bible for Women and how did it come about? While our devotions subscriptions have steadily grown since we started them in 2003, in the past few years we’ve seen phenomenal growth. We believe this is because we’ve identified and focused on what makes our writing unique – which is our commitment to being transparent with our struggles while introducing the hope and power of God’s Word to make a difference in our lives. Although our devotions are based on specific verses in the Bible, we believe their impact will be exponentially increased when nestled in the books of the Bible. Readers will immerse themselves in the context of the devotional verse and grasp a greater vision for God’s heart and purpose for them. What makes this bible distinctive from other devotional bibles? We know what it’s like to struggle in our marriages, as mothers and in the workplace. And rather than give advice on the right way to solve problems, or set ourselves up as experts, we’d rather pull up a kitchen chair, grab a cup of coffee and enter into our readers’ lives as a friend. That’s the feel of the devotions you’ll find in this Bible. It’s one mom sharing with another how she overcame her feelings of inadequacy. It’s one wife confessing to another how she overcame resentment of her husband. It’s one friend telling another how God helped her stop gossiping. This devotional Bible is filled with real women writing about everyday issues – but always pointing to the extraordinary God who brings hope, comfort and healing in the midst of our struggles. How do you see the bible best being used? Women will enjoy using this Bible as part of their personal devotion time and we hope it encourages women to read more of the Bible for themselves. It can also be used as a launching pad for small group discussions. Also, women who are teachers can use the devotions as examples in their own ministry. Are the devotions geared more to the mature believer or the new Christian? We eliminate insider language so a woman who has never set foot in a church will understand the message of our devotions. And yet, the themes and biblical truths are deep enough that a mature believer will be challenged. Both new and mature believers will enjoy this devotional Bible because we deal with issues specific to women - and churches don’t always address those types of issues. For example, how often do churches talk about a wife losing her sexual desire for her husband? What are some of the particular issues or challenges for women that are addressed? How to not be offended by a friend, how to have greater intimacy with your husband, how to weather the storms of life, how to stop gossiping, how to pray for your children, how to control your words, dealing with hormones, discovering who we are in the midst of parenting, overcoming the shame of our pasts Are all of the devotions related to the Proverbs 31 passage? No. The devotions are based on verses from Genesis to Revelation. How much of what is shared in the devotions come from your own personal experiences “in the trenches of life”? Our greatest lessons come from what God is doing in our own lives. We are just ordinary women who share the vulnerable spots in our lives and invite another to walk along side us. We’re willing to share our mistakes, our regrets, and our pain so we can point others to our Source of our help and hope. In doing so, we find purpose in the hard things we’ve experienced. 2 Corinthians 2:3-4 says it well: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” (2 Corinthians 2:3-4 NIV) www.proverbs31.org Glynnis Whitwer is on staff with Proverbs 31 Ministries as Executive Director of Communications. She is one of the writers of Encouragement for Today, the Proverbs 31 e-mail devotions, with over 600,000 daily readers, and served as the general editor for the new NIV Real-Life Devotional Bible featuring 366 Proverbs 31 Ministries’ devotions. She is the author of I Used to be So Organized, When Your Child Hurts, and work@home: A Practical Guide for Women Who Want to Work from Home. She is also co-author of a Bible studies series entitled Kingdom Living. Glynnis has a degree in Journalism and Public Relations from Arizona State University and worked as a PR writer before joining the staff of Proverbs 31 Ministries 14 years ago. Glynnis and her husband Tod live in Glendale, Arizona. They have five children, ranging from mid-teens to early 20s. She blogs regularly at www.GlynnisWhitwer.com. NIV Real-Life Devotional Bible for Women: Insights for Everyday Life by Lysa TerKeurst Zondervan Release Date: 03/19/2013 Price: $34.99 ISBN 13: 9780310439363 UPC: 025986439361

Book Review: The Emotionally Healthy Woman

 
 ISBN: 978-0-310-32196-5

Geri Scazzero knew there was something desperately wrong with her life.
 She felt like a single parent raising her four young daughters alone. She finally told her husband, “I quit,” and left the thriving church he pastored, beginning a journey that transformed her marriage and her church, and thousands of others around the world.

In The Emotionally Healthy Woman, Geri provides you a way out of an inauthentic, superficial spirituality to genuine freedom in Christ. This book is for every woman who thinks, “I can’t keep pretending everything is fine!”

The journey to emotional healing begins by quitting.

 Geri quit being afraid of what others thought. She quit lying. She quit denying her anger and sadness. She quit living a false life. When you quit those things that are damaging to your soul or the souls of others, you are freed up to choose other ways of being and relating that are rooted in love and lead to life.
When you quit for the right reasons, at the right time, and in the right way, you’re on the path not only to emotional health, but also to the true purpose of your life.

My Reflections:

Geri Scazzero makes this self help book fun to read, I love the way she writes! She peppers the chapters with personal stories and writes with whit and spunk. This book is entertaining, with Scazzero's  life journey retold in a way that is engaging and deeply personal at some parts you may forget you are reading a "self help" book at all! A fabulous way to learn!

This book is a great book to read if you are feeling trapped in deeply rooted patterns that are keeping you "stuck". Life is such a gift. It should not to be wasted on living the life you think you are suppose to live, defined by what others expect, think, or perceive about you and your role.

I especially liked chapter  6: Quit Overfunctioning.

I learned quite a bit about my self in this chapter. I will be making some changes in the ways I treat my family and myself. It opened my eyes to my belief system and why I do for other what they could do for themselves. Change is exciting, when you know where to start.

If you feel like it is time to shake of the cobwebs of life off Pick up this book and read it front to back.
I can guarantee you will find some nuggets of truth in this book. It may even help you release the patterns in your life that are unhealthy and unproductive. Perhaps you may even find it frees you to live a little more the way God intended for you.

I received this book free of charge from The B & B Media Group, in exchange for my honest opinion.
Thank you B and B!

About the Author:


Geri Scazzero
GERI SCAZZERO is a popular conference speaker for church leaders, married couples, and women’s groups, both in North America and internationally.  She is a master teacher and trainer, equipping leadership teams, churches, and non-profit ministries to implement Emotionally Healthy Skills and spiritual formation into their organizations. Geri is the co-author of Emotionally Healthy Skills 2.0 curriculum and the best-selling Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Workbook (Willow Creek Association, 2009). She has served on staff of New Life Fellowship Church in Queens, New York City for the last 25 years.
GERI, along with her husband Pete, is the co-founder of Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, a groundbreaking ministry that equips pastors and leaders with a new leadership paradigm that integrates emotional health and contemplative spirituality. Geri has four lovely daughters: Maria,

Book review: Come to the Table by Neta Jackson

From the back:

Kat Davies is suddenly wondering if her good deed was a bad idea.

Kat may be new in her faith, but she’s embraced the more radical implications of Christianity with reckless abandon. She invited Rochelle—a homeless mother—and her son to move in the apartment she shares with two other housemates. And she’s finally found a practical way to channel her passion for healthy eating by starting a food pantry at the church.

Her feelings for Nick are getting harder to ignore. The fact that he’s the interning pastor at SouledOut Community Church and one of her housemates makes it complicated enough. But with Rochelle showing interest in Nick as a father-figure for her son, their apartment is feeling way too small.

But not everyone thinks the food pantry is a good idea. When the woman she thought would be her biggest supporter just wants to “pray about it,” Kat is forced to look deeper at her own motives. Only when she begins to look past the surface does she see people who are hungry and thirsty for more than just food and drink and realizes the deeper significance of inviting them to “come to the table.”

My Reflections:

Come to the table is Neta Jackson’s second book in the SouledOut series. This book can be read alone and having not read any of Jackson’s books I was able to follow the characters and plot line with little difficulty. That being said, it would have given me a better understanding of the story line if I had started with the first book, as there are references to events from Sand By Me, her first novel.

This book is engaging and challenges readers to think about how we serve like Jesus instructs us to. I enjoyed the character depth and traveling alongside as Kat and Nick as they fumbled to find themselves.  (It reminded me of myself as a young new believer).

Though Kat is young and a little overzealous in her decisions her story helped me to remember who and why I serve my Lord and to explore the reasons behind some of my decisions.  If you are a fan of Neta Jackson’s books I am sure you will enjoy reading this one!

I graciously received this book from the B&B Media Group free of charge in return for my honest review.

About the Author: 

A Journey of Hope

As a husband/wife writing team, we are enthusiastic about books, kids, walking with God, gospel music, and each other! Together we are the authors or coauthors of over 120 books. (You can see our Publication Record by clicking HERE.) In addition to writing several books about Christian community, we have been privileged to coauthor numerous books with expert resource people on a variety of topics from racial reconciliation to medical ethics to ministry to kids in gangs.
But over the years the we have especially enjoyed writing for children and young people! This includes our award-winning TRAILBLAZER series, historical fiction about great Christian heroes and heroines for young people ages 8-12, and the four-volume HERO TALES: A Family Treasury of True Stories from the Lives of Great Christians, and the companion book, Heroes in Black History.
Somewhere along the way, our own children grew up! Son Julian is Director of Experience Design for the Alder Planetarium in Chicago where he “provides the experience of exploring space” for visitors. He has two sons, Liam Isaac and Elijah David. Daughter Rachel graduated from Eastern Mennonite University and after working in the field of rape-crisis prevention went on to earn a Masters Degree in counseling from the University of Illinois. She is now a counselor at “Uni High School” in Champaign, Illinois. She is the loving mother of Havah Noelle (our first grandchild!) and Noah Zion, our youngest grandchild. The Jackson family also includes a Cambodian foster daughter, Samen Sang, who has four children.
We live in Evanston, Illinois, where for twenty-seven years we were part of Reba Place Church, a Christian church community. We are now members of a multi-racial congregation in the Chicago area.