Review and Giveaway: Jeremy Riddle's CD "Furious"

"Furious" by Jeremy Riddle

(9/20/2011 release date)

"It’s hard to come up with words that depict the magnitude of Christ’s love – the depth and width of it. Furious doesn’t work outside of the context of love; we tend to translate the word as angry, but I see it as a super-powerful force; stronger, deeper, broader than our vocabulary can fully describe." ~Jeremy Riddle

Jeremy Riddle is a gifted songwriter, musician, and worship leader. I love his song, "Sweetly Broken" very much :)! "Furious" is his 3rd full-length album from Vineyard Music. This CD has 13 songs:

1. Fall Afresh
2. Furious
3. Love Came Down
4. One Thing Remains
5. Acquitted
6. You Are Good
7. Walk in the Promise
8. One Thirst
9. Glory to the Lamb
10. The Lord Is My Shepherd
11. Here
12. Always
13. Nations Rage (not included in the pre-release CD I received for review)

These are wonderful praise and worship songs. The theme throughout the CD is: God's love. These songs from the heart invite listeners to reflect on His amazingly intense love for us and to respond by worshiping Him wholeheartely. Some of my favorites on this CD include Fall Afresh, Walk in the Promise, One Thirst, Love Came Down, and One Thing Remains. Beautiful music...soulful voice...worshipful lyrics! Check "Furious" out!

“Worship songwriters should always ask if the content of their songs is really the word offering of our heart or simply a well-crafted lyric. I continuously tried to direct my focus onto delivering authentic expressions of my heart over something catchy and quotable.” (~Jeremy Riddle, from his website)

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Vineyard-Music/18257532074
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/vineyardmusic
Website: http://www.vineyardmusic.com/vm/

Note: Please turn off my music playlist at the bottom of this page before starting the video.

Furious (New Album from Jeremy Riddle) from Vineyard Resources on Vimeo.

GIVEAWAY: You can win a copy of this CD!

To Enter: "Like" Vineyard Music's Facebook page and then leave a comment here including your Facebook name. Make sure you leave your email address, too. Deadline: Sept. 30th at midnight (Pacific time)

For extra entries (please leave a separate comment for each one you do):
- Follow this blog via GFC or NetworkedBlogs
- "Like" my page "Christ Alone" on Facebook
- Follow me on Twitter: @treasuredbyGod
- Share the link to this giveaway post on Facebook
- Tweet about this giveaway on Twitter
- Enter my Ginny Owens' CD giveaway
- Enter The Shunning DVD giveaway


~"Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. 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."

Review and Giveaway: Ginny Owens' CD, "Get In, I'm Driving"

(9/13/2011 release date)

About Ginny Owens:
A three-time Dove Award winner, including the Gospel Music Association’s 2000 New Artist of the Year recipient, and multiple ASCAP Award winner, Ginny Owens has sold nearly one million albums. A top performer on the Christian radio charts with hits like “If You Want Me To,” “Free” and “I Wanna Be Moved,” among others, Owens’ music has impacted mainstream audiences at Lilith Fair, the Sundance Film Festival and the White House. Her music has received widespread film and television placement, including songs on the popular WB series’ “Roswell” and “Felicity.” Owens was featured on national television, including NBC’s “Today” and CNN, for her contribution to help rebuild New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina.

Born and raised in Jackson, Miss., Owens was discovering melodies on the piano almost before she could complete a sentence. Songs began to emerge from her fingers as the vision began to leave her eyes and by the age of three, a degenerative eye condition left Owens completely blind. Despite her physical challenge, Owens pursued a music career. Songs provide a window into a world Owens can’t see and an outlet for her to express her thoughts and dreams. Owens’ unique musical style and inspirational lyrics continue to appeal to Christian and mainstream audiences alike.

In 2005 Owens launched The Fingerprint Initiative, a hands-on, non-profit organization designed to “bring hope to the world, one project and one touch at a time.” The organization has partnered with and raised money for groups such as Compassion International, International Justice Mission, and Habitat for Humanity.

Website: http://ginnyowensmusic.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/GinnyOwensMusic
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/GinnyOwens
iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/before-you-fly-single/id442050145

MY THOUGHTS AND REVIEW:
To be honest, I had never heard of Ginny Owens until I was offered an opportunity to review her newest CD, "Get In, I'm Driving." Wow...what a gifted musician she is! Her voice is so beautiful and pleasant. She writes most of the songs (words and music). It took her 5 years to finish this album. It contains 11 songs:-

1. Get In, I'm Driving
2. Mystery of Grace
3. Before You Fly
4. Rain
5. Joined at the Heart
6. Better Off
7. Lay It Down
8. Higher Ground (words and music by Stevie Wonder)
9. Daughter of Destiny
10. Better That Way
11. The Song

I enjoyed listening to this CD. Her music style is a blend of folk and R&B. Some songs made me want to dance :). Ginny's songs are songs of encouragement. Great lyrics. Her faith in God shines through and through. Some of my favorites in this album include Rain, Joined at the Heart, and Lay It Down. The Song (the last song) has really beautiful, soulful guitar playing. This CD would make a great gift for any girl/woman. Daughter of Destiny declares confidence in whom God made us to be. Mystery of Grace reminds listeners that they are loved, precious, and special in so many ways. Before You Fly encourages us not to give up but to take one step at a time. Ginny Owens is our modern day Fanny Crosby. She is blind but she sees the world through her Heavenly Father's eyes.

"As I make my way along this journey,
Wisdom and truth will walk beside me,
I’ve been given purpose and direction,
Oh I am master-minded by the Author of perfection"
(from the song, Daughter of Destiny)

Note: Please turn off my music playlist at the bottom of this page before starting the video. If you like her voice, check out the giveaway below.

GIVEAWAY: You can win a copy of this CD!

To Enter: "Like" Ginny Owens' Facebook page and then leave a comment here including your Facebook name. Make sure you leave your email address, too. Deadline: Sept. 30th at midnight (Pacific time)

For extra entries (please leave a separate comment for each one you do):
- Follow this blog via GFC or NetworkedBlogs
- "Like" my page "Christ Alone" on Facebook
- Follow me on Twitter: @treasuredbyGod
- Share the link to this giveaway post on Facebook
- Tweet about this giveaway on Twitter
- Enter my Jeremy Riddle's CD giveaway
- Enter The Shunning DVD giveaway

 
~"Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. 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."

Review: Selah's Album, "Hope of the Broken World"

I love Selah, especially when they sing hymns :)! They have very beautiful voices. I was so excited to have an opportunity to review their newest album, "Hope of the Broken World" which is released today!

This album includes 12 songs:

1. On the Mountain
2. Hope of the Broken World (see a music video below)
3. Shelter Me
4. Coat of Many Colors (written by Dolly Parton)
5. He'll Hold You
6. Be Still
7. Moments Like These
8. I Turn to You
9. Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus (a hymn written by Louisa M.R. Stead, c.1850-1917)
10. Threshold of Glory
11. I Look to You
12. When Love Was Slain

My husband and I enjoyed listening to this album. It consists of various styles of music. Shelter Me (based on Psalm 91) is a fun song with country music feel. Coat of Many Colors is a folk song/story-telling song. Selah did a cool rendition of an old hymn, Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus, with a bonus of singing in African language (Did you know that Todd Smith, one of the singers, grew up in Africa?). Moments Like These is such a tender song about children and parents; it made me cry. On the Mountain is an upbeat, catchy song. Hope of the Broken World is a soothing song about Jesus who is the Light and Hope of the World. Some of my favorites are #2, #7, #9, and #12. All songs have great lyrics/encouraging messages. Selah is truly a talented group. I can listen to this CD over and over again :).

Check out Selah's videos on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/TheSelahVideos .
Connect with Selah on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/selahmusic .

Note: Please turn off my music playlist at the bottom of this page before starting the video.

You can buy the album at http://www.amazon.com/Hope-Broken-World-Selah/dp/B004Y1QQ4A .


~ I received a copy of this album for free via Buzzplant in exchange for my honest review. Opinions are my own.

CD Review: I'm All In by Robert Pierre

About the Album:
For Robert, I’m All In is more than the name of his third studio album, due July 26th (today) from thinkaboutit records. It has become Robert’s life motto as he responds to God’s calling to live fully committed to Him. In addition to writing and recording I’m All In and playing on a summer tour, Robert also leads regular Sunday morning worship at his 800-member Orlando, FL church. And he’s done it all as a high school senior.

“All of the songs have something to do with things I was going through my senior year,” Robert said of I’m All In, “preparing to say goodbye to friends and not really knowing what would come next, but finding comfort and peace in the Lord’s plan for my life. The Bible talks about how the eyes of the Lord are searching to and fro throughout the earth, searching for someone whose heart is wholly His, someone He can strongly support. This CD is me saying, ‘I’m all in.’”

Creating I’m All In was a powerfully personal experience for Robert, who teamed with veteran songwriter Jason Ingram (Tenth Avenue North, Sanctus Real, Bebo Norman) and legendary producer Matt Bronleewe (Jars of Clay, Michael W. Smith, Steven Curtis Chapman) on the album. The result is a collection of songs that enthusiastically and energetically worship God while wrestling with what it means to be a Christian in a world full of difficulty and joy, anxiety and excitement.

My Thoughts and Review:
My 18 year old daughter and I enjoyed listening to this CD. Robert Pierre has a pleasant voice and the music is upbeat. I especially love the lyrics. They are insightful and Biblically sound; they focus on God, embrace an eternal perspective, and call us to live for Him. Some of my favorites from this album include I'm All In, Light the Way, Stranger In This Land, and Be Lifted Up. Silent Cry is another great song with a pro-life message. Robert Pierre wrote or helped write all the songs except one. I am quite impressed with this young man's passion for God and his desire to use his gifts for God's glory. He is a recent high school graduate who is heading off to college. I hope he continues standing firm in the faith and being light and salt for Christ. It's always encouraging and refreshing to see young people living purposefully for God. My daughter and Robert Pierre are two great examples :).  Check out this wonderful album!

There are 11 songs in the album:-
1. I'm All In
2. Who R U
3. Light The Way
4. Maker Of The Stars
5. Be Lifted Up
6. Stranger In This Land
7. Silent Cry
8. Sing For Joy
9. Greater Is He
10. Dead To Sin
11. Trust In You

Website: http://robertpierre.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/RobertPierreMusic
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0059388YI/ref=dm_sp_alb?ie=UTF8&qid=1310674129&sr=8-1

GIVEAWAY: One of my blog readers will win a copy of this CD. Open to U.S. residents only.
To Enter: "Like" Robert Pierre's Facebook Page. Make sure you leave your email address so that I may contact you if you're selected (randomly) as the winner. Deadline: August 9th at midnight (Pacific time).

Extra Entries: 1. Follow this blog via GFC or NetworkedBlogs
                     2. Follow me on Twitter.
                     3. Like my Facebook page, "Christ Alone".

~I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. 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.”

CD Review: Abide With Me--Piano and Praise

I've always enjoyed piano music and praise songs. My husband often plays piano while I sing praise and worship songs along. I was thankful to be given an opportunity to review Abide with Me--Piano and Praise featuring Phillip Keveren. The songs in this CD include:

•A New Hallelujah
•Here I Am to Worship
•Abide with Me
•Be Thou My Vision
•I Love to Tell the Story
•The Lord's My Shepherd
•We Gather Together
•Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah
•God of Wonders
•Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
•O Worship the King
•Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart
•O Love that Wilt Not Let Me Go
•Holy, Holy, Holy
•For the Beauty of the Earth

I enjoyed listening to this CD, a collection of 15 instrumental praise music/hymns. Mr. Phillip Keveren, a 50-year-old Christian musician, recorded this album on the Yamaha C7 grand piano. His arrangements are unique and encompass both classical style and jazz style. My favorites include Abide with Me, Be Thou My Vision, I Love to Tell the Story, The Lord's My Shepherd, O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go, and For the Beauty of the Earth. This CD is relaxing and worshipful; it will help you meditate upon God's love, power, and promises. It's great for a lullaby or background music, too.

Visit Discovery House Music's website at http://www.dhp.org/music/ .

~ I received a free copy of this CD from Discovery House for an exchange of my honest review. The opinions are my own.

CD Review: Amazing Grace--Celtic Hymns & Blessings

I love hymns and I love Celtic music; therefore, I was so excited to be given the opportunity to review Amazing Grace: Celtic Hymns & Blessings CD, produced by David Huntsinger for Discovery House Music.  The songs in this CD include:

• Amazing Grace
• Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing (instrumental only)
• Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah (instrumental only)
• Circle Me, O Lord
• Joy in the Kingdom (instrumental only)
• Londonderry Prayer
• The Sheltering/O God, Our Help in Ages Past (instrumental only)
• What a Blessed Gift/The Gathering of the Saints
• Showers of Blessing (instrumental only)
• Dwell in the Shadow (Selah)
• What a Blessed Gift/Simple Gifts (instrumental only)
• We're Marching to Zion
• Lord of All Mercy/Be Thou My Vision (acappella)
• Amazing Grace (instrumental only)

My husband and I enjoyed listening to this CD. He'd prefer them all to be instrumental only, while I like both instrumental and songs with lyrics. As you can see from the list above, half are instrumental and the other half are songs with lyrics. Good balance, I think :). Some of these songs have been my favorite hymns: Be Thou My Vision, Amazing Grace, and Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing. The fun, fast-tempo tunes of Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah and Joy in the Kingdom just made me want to dance (actually, I did dance :)). The voices are pleasantly beautiful and soothing. The music is fantastic; I especially love the sounds of mountain dulcimer, Irish whistles, and highland bagpipes. The lyrics are all wonderful (I only wish the lyrics were included in the leaflet). I was surprisingly pleased with the added verses to Be Thou My Vision by Janet McMahan and David Huntsinger. Each song has a tidbit or a Bible verse that goes with it in the leaflet. This CD will help you relax and ponder God's amazing grace, abundant blessings, and awesome power/ protection. This is the kind of CD I can listen to over and over again.

Visit Discovery House Music's website at http://www.dhp.org/music/ .

~ I received a free copy of the Amazing Grace--Celtic Hymns and Blessings CD from Discovery House for an exchange of my honest review. The opinions are my own.

Review and Giveaway: Rebecca St. James's CD, "I WILL PRAISE YOU"

About "I WILL PRAISE YOU" (Release Date: April 5th):

Rebecca St. James charts yet another new course with I Will Praise You, a new collection of worship songs she terms “ her most personal recording to date.” From the opening notes of track one, listeners are offered a welcoming connection with Rebecca’s recognizably authentic vocal warmth and delivery. More than anything, I Will Praise You represents the latest steps in Rebecca’s life long journey towards the presence of God.

MY THOUGHTS AND REVIEW:
I enjoyed listening to this worship CD. The theme that runs through the CD is praising the Lord and trusting Him even when things seem to go wrong...through trials/storms and being comforted by the presence of Almighty God and the hope of heaven. Beautiful lyrics to ponder. Most songs have upbeat tempos. It's fun to sing along with "You Never Let Go." My favorite songs are The Kindness of Our God and You Hold Me Now. I got teary-eyed when I was listening to them. "You Still Amaze Me" is great, too! I'm glad that Rebecca St. James included the Scripture reference for each song and her comment about each song on the lyrics leaflet. I also appreciate A Word From Rebecca regarding her ministry's mission statement: "Our mission statement as a ministry team is to serve the Church and point people to Jesus. We remind each other of this at our band devotions before our shows and as often as we can. We pray that this album will encourage you in your journey with God and that it will draw you to worship Him!"

This CD has 10 songs:-
1. I Will Praise You (Hebrews 13:15)
2. You Never Let Go (Psalm 23:4)
3. Shine Your Glory Down (Isaiah 60:1)
4. You Still Amaze Me (Ephesians 2:8, 9)
5. In A Moment (Revelation 19:1)
6. The Kindness of Our God (Titus 3:4, 5)
7. When The Stars Burn Down (Blessing and Honor) (Isaiah 34:4)
8. Almighty God (Psalm 46:7)
9. You Hold Me Now (Revelation 21:4)
10. You Make Everything Beautiful (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

If you're a Rebecca St. James fan or someone who likes to collect worship albums like me :), check out this CD, "I Will Praise You".

Rebecca’s LISTENING PARTY: http://rsjames.com/listeningparty where you may share a preview of the CD with your family & friends too! You can enter your email address and get to listen to the first three songs.
Website: http://www.rsjames.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/rsjames
Twitter: http://twitter.com/rebeccastjames
YouTube: http://rsjames.com/updates/2011/3/22/video-rebecca-explains-her-song-shine-your-glory-down.html
Amazon: http://amzn.to/gqOroA

GIVEAWAY: You can win a copy of this CD. This giveaway is open only to U.S. residents. Ends 4/22.

To Enter: Leave a comment here letting me know which of Rebecca St. James's songs (from any album) is your favorite or who your favorite Christian musician/band is.

For Extra Entries:
1. Please go here to vote for my photo by clicking "Vote Now".
2. Follow this blog via Google Friend Connect or NetworkedBlogs.
3. Post about this giveaway and link to this post on your blog.
4. Post the link to this giveaway on your Facebook page or tweet it. Please also leave your Facebook link or twitter link in your comment.
5. Rate my book reviews here, then come back to let me know which title(s) you've rated (you don't need to tell me what rating you give me :)). Each book you rate earns you an entry.
6. Rate my daughter's book reviews here, then come back to let me know which title(s) you've rated (you don't need to tell me what rating you give her). Each book you rate earns you an entry.


“Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. 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.”