Friday's Fave Five #49

It's time for another Friday's Fave Five (hosted by Susanne at Living to Tell the Story).

My Fave Five this week:-
1. I spent $6.70 at the library's book sale and came home with 2 bagfuls of great books, CDs, and DVDs. Thankful and excited :)!

2. I had so much fun taking senior pictures of my 17 yo daughter, Alyssa! God made her so beautiful (inside and out :)). Such a delightful blessing she is! Here are a few samples out of over 200 pictures I took.

3.We enjoyed watching a series of magnificent lightning in the sky (60+ lightning strikes). Very cool light show :)! "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge." Psalm 19:1-2

4. I'm participating in 21 Days of Prayer for Sons and I have been blogging about this prayer challenge on my homeschool-related blog, Fruitbearers. I love praying the Scriptures for my sons (and daughter).

5. Alyssa was leaping on cloud nine on Tuesday :)! It's impossible for her (and me) to express all her excitement in words. She got accepted by OM (Operation Mobilization) to serve onboard the Logos Hope for 2 months. She will leave in August to get onboard the Logos Hope in Phuket, Thailand and in October, she will leave from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to come back home. I'm so excited to see what the Lord will do in her, for her, and through her. What a mighty God we serve! (Alyssa used to sing that song out loud in public when she was a toddler :).)

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.”

Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing

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

Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing (written by Robert Robinson, sung by Jadon Lavik)

"From the Lord comes deliverance.  May Your blessing be on Your people." Psalm 3:8
"From the fullness of His grace we have all received one blessing after another." John 1:16
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ." Ephesians 1:3
"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." James 1:17

In 1 Samuel 7, when God made the Philistines get into panic mode and lose to the Israelites, Samuel took a stone and set it up as a remembrance of God's faithfulness and help.  He named the stone, "Ebenezer" which means stone of help.  "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." (Psalm 46:1)
Let us all raise our "Ebenezer" with our praises!


Previous Songs:
- Faithful One
- Your Love Broke Through
- Until the Whole World Hears
- Take My Life
- In Christ Alone
- Sweetly Broken
- Be Thou My Vision
- God With Us
- Offering- Christmas Version 
- How Many Kings
- Give Thanks
- When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
- He Knows My Name
- Oh Lord, You're Beautiful!
- What the Lord Has Done in Me
- I Surrender All
- Mighty To Save
- Could I Be Called a Christian?
- Cry Out to Jesus
- Jesus, Be the Center
- God of Justice
- Love That Will Not Let Me Go
- I Will Offer Up My Life
- When It's All Been Said and Done
- Knowing You, Jesus

Thankful Thursday #16

 
This week...
1. I am thankful that "It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Thy faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:22-23)  It is very comforting to me that His mercies, compassions, and faithfulness never fail...never cease.  "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." (Psalm 23:6)  I am glad that I don't have to wake up to the same day everyday like the main character in the movie, "Groundhog Day" :).  If I fail today or make mistakes or today is an unpleasant day (filled with troubles and sorrow, etc.), tomorrow is a brand new day...God's mercy, compassion, and faithfulness already waiting there for me.

2. I am thankful for solitude and silence.  Just me and God alone!  It's a precious time when all is well with my soul.  You might find it funny but I enjoy ironing my husband's clothes.  I spend that ironing time to think and pray.  God often brings to my mind the Scriptures I need and/or the people I should pray for.  "Be still, and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10a

3. I am thankful for tears.  I usually feel much better after I cry.  "Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.  He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him." (Psalm 126:5-6)  I think it's wonderful that God created us with the ability to shed tears and thus release emotional tension.  I cry easily...happy cries, sad cries, overwhelmed-by-God's love-for-me cries, cries over touching movies or songs, etc. 

4. I am thankful for my beloved husband who is very loving, understanding, caring, and supportive.  He is the greatest listener, counselor, peacemaker, encourager, and prayer partner.

5. I am thankful for my youngest son, Isaiah (8) who is a remarkable boy.  He is such a joy and a blessing.  He is obedient, respectful, polite, diligent, hard-working, kind, compassionate, patient, and cheerful.

P.S. I am hosting a book giveaway on my HSB blog.  You can win a copy of The One Day Way: Today Is All the Time You Need to Lose All the Weight You Want by Chantel Hobbs.  Please click here to enter.  The deadline is January 15th.

In Father's Hands

This picture was taken in 1993 when our oldest daughter was a newborn. Alyssa was born prematurely and weighed only 4 lbs. 5 1/2 oz. Now you would have never guessed that when you look at her :). She just turned 16 last month. Alyssa is such a beautiful blessing to our family and to the world. She blogs at Life of Faith and she is a contributor at Growing In Grace Online Magazine.

In this picture, she looks so tiny and fragile, yet so loved and protected in her Daddy's arms/hands. It made me think of how we (God's children) can rest, feel loved and secure in our Heavenly Father's hands. It's the best place to be!

Previous Friday Photo Flashback:

- Thai Version of Wipe Out

- My Graduation Day in Thailand