Thankful Thursdays: God is with me

It’s Thursday and I’m thankful for the fact that God is with me!

All of yesterday (Wednesday, May 29) was filled with worry, anxiety and depression for me. I woke up with a million things on my mind, rushed into my activities for that day and returned home even more upset.

There were moments when I calmed down after talking to a few God-fearing sister-in-Christ friends but as soon as our conversation was over, the anxiety picked up again. I was so overwhelmed about several serious, real-life situations that I could barely see the light of day or any hope in the severity of it all. These situations have been on my mind a lot lately but on May 29 the thoughts of these crowded every ray of sunshine out of the picture.

A few hours before midnight, a counselor encouraged me to “tap into (my) spirituality” because they know that helps me. So I did. For the first time that day/evening/night, I opened my “True Identity” Bible and searched for Scriptures that would speak to my situation.

After spending time in God’s Word (The Holy Bible) and talking to Him through prayer, I felt better. As I closed my Bible, I started singing these words, “Sovereign in the mountain air/Sovereign on the ocean floor/With me in the calm/With me in the storm.” 

When I realized that these were words to a song that I first heard years ago, I immediately went to YouTube and typed in the first few words. The song “Sovereign” by the Contemporary Christian music artist Chris Tomlin showed up first in the search results. 

I selected the lyric video version and listened to it while I read the lyrics only to find that every single lyric spoke directly into my situation! These song lyrics silenced my worries and reminded me that I can trust God no matter what because He knows everything I need and He will always provide for me.

As the song faded out, I realized that God just spoke to me through it. I know it was His message for me that night not only because of the lyrics, but because of the fact that I hadn’t heard that song in years and had forgotten the lyrics until that night (May 29). I know that it’s not a coincidence that these lyrics came to mind after I spent time studying God’s Word!

It’s also important to note that before I started reading The Bible that night, I asked God to speak to me through His Word and He did, not only through Scripture but through the lyrics of that song reminding me that He is Sovereign.

The dictionary defines the word “sovereign” as “possessing supreme or ultimate power” and the synonyms to this word that stood out to me are “boundless,” “unrestricted” and “unrestrained.”

This definition applied to God, shows us that not only does He have the ultimate power over the entire universe and everything in it, it shows that His power is unrestricted, meaning that nothing and no one can stop what He wants to do!

God’s plans for your life and my life cannot be stopped. No one and nothing (not even the evil forces) in this world or the entire universe can stop Him from blessing you! So when God seems silent, just keep trusting Him and knowing that He is working together everything for your good (Romans 8:28) because He loves you (John 3:16) and He has GOOD plans for your life (Jeremiah 29:11)!

Be encouraged, dear friends with this: No matter what happens in human history on this planet Earth, the Creator of the Universe (God) is with you. He will NEVER leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5) and His Son Jesus Christ (our Savior) says in John 16:33 that in this world we will have trouble but “take heart” because He (JESUS) has “overcome the world!”

Romans 8:31-39 (NIV) says that we are “more than conquerors” with Jesus Christ on our side! Let’s read the full passage:

“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, either height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

These Bible verses give me hope that no matter what happens in this life, God is with me. I hope that these verses give you that same hope.

Love,

Alexis A. Goring
Founder of “God is Love” blog

P.S._Here's the lyric video that I watched of the song "Sovereign" by Chris Tomlin:

Music Review and Giveaway of Chris Tomlin's NEW CD "Holy Roar"

Dear Blog Readers,

Today, I’m reviewing Chris Tomlin's new CD “Holy Roar” for FlyBy Promotions. You’re in for a treat because they’re offering one copy of his CD to one lucky winner!

Here's a photo of the album cover:

Enjoy this music feature!

~*~
Artist Bio:

Chris Tomlin is one of the most heralded singer-songwriters in the world who has amassed an impressive body of work. He has sold more than 8 million albums, 11.3 million digital tracks with 16 #1 singles. 

Chris is one of only four artists ever to receive the Sound Exchange Digital Radio Award for over 1 Billion digital radio streams, others include Justin Timberlake, Pitbull and Garth Brooks. 



The Grammy® winner’s list of music awards include an American Music Award, 3 Billboard Music Awards, 21 Dove Awards, a BMI Songwriter of the Year Award and more. Chris’ concert tours have sold-out venues in major cities including New York City’s Madison Square Garden, The Forum in Los Angeles, Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena and Red Rocks in Denver, among others.

This spring, Chris marked another career milestone by launching his own imprint record label, Bowyer & Bow, in partnership with Capitol Christian Music Group.

~*~

Ready for my review? Read on! 

Every song is rated between 1 and 5 stars. Here’s the meaning of each starred rating:

5 stars = Wonderful! I love it!

4 stars = Great song and lyrics, I really like it!

3 stars = Nice tune but not too spectacular

2 stars = I really do not like this song

1 star = Not worth listening to

~*~
Song #1: Holy Roar
Rating: 5
Review: As the title song for this album, “Holy Roar” is worth its weight in gold! It’s like the rallying of the troops in God’s Army, a gathering of His people from around the world to worship Him. The tune is inspiring and the lyrics move you to worship God right along with Chris Tomlin and his band.

Song #2: Nobody Loves Me Like You
Rating: 5
Review: Listening to the lyrics of this song accompanied with the soft, peaceful sounds, is like watching the sunrise from the window of your home. The feel of this song makes you feel like you live in a beautiful, serene mountainside log cabin in the picturesque part of Montana (USA)! I can almost smell the fresh mountain air and feel the cool breeze. This song feels very much like the Fall season on the East Coast—beautiful in color, tone and feel. Through the sound and lyrics of this song, Tomlin does a wonderful job in moving the listener to worship God as they reflect on His Goodness that we’re reminded of in the song’s lyrics. It is beautifully serene, sweet and whimsical.

Song #3: Resurrection Power
Rating: 4
Review: My first thoughts in hearing the first two lines of this song were, “I heard this song on the radio!” Haha. It’s very familiar to me. I enjoy listening to it. The message that God has given us freedom from the bondage of sin if we just choose Him and accept His gift of salvation through His Son Jesus Christ, really resonates with me. The lyrics are straight-forward and Bible-based. The tempo of the song is upbeat but perfectly paced. Nice!

Song #4: Goodness, Love and Mercy
Rating: 3
Review: This song is a nice rendition of Psalm 23. There’s not too much to it. Tomlin basically sings the Bible verses without adding or taking away anything, which is good but the sound is a bit boring. It just didn’t move me.

Song #5: Satisfied
Rating: 3
Review: This song serves to remind the listener that in a world of thirsty people, only Jesus can truly satisfy. It reminds me of the Bible verse about how wells filled with water run dry but when you drink from the Living Water (a relationship with Jesus Christ), you will never thirst again. You won’t thirst for the temporary trappings of this world. Knowing Jesus is freedom from the ways of this world that don’t save your soul. Only Jesus can save your soul. Only He can quench your thirst when you’re searching for something more or trying to figure out the meaning of life. Hint: Jesus is what your soul longs for and only He can save your soul, ushering you right into eternity when He returns to Earth to take His faithful followers home to Heaven. This song reminds me that Earth is not our Home. It helps tune me into the Bigger Picture where God wins over sin and the enemy, where His plan for humanity is restored—a plan where death, destruction, and pain have no place ever again! Despite the wonderful life lessons I hear in this song “Satisfied”, I didn’t like the tune and I thought some of the lyrics could have been written better, which is why I’m giving it this rating.

Song #6: Impact
Rating: 4
Review: This song is like a welcome to worship God. It starts off slow and sweet then picks up tempo before taking off like an airplane on a beautiful musical journey, destination: the presence of God!

Song #7: Praise Him Forever
Rating: 4
Review: This song is a worship tune for real. It made me want to stand and clap my hands and dance down the church aisles. The sound of this song will make you happy and remind you of all of God’s Goodness. His Love for humankind is unrivaled.

Song #8: Is He Worthy?
Rating: 4
Review: This song is filled with questions for the listener (literally) but these questions are not without purpose. The lyrics challenge the listener to think deeply about the meaning of life, love, and God.

Song #9: Forever Young
Rating: 5
Review: Now who doesn’t want to be “Forever Young?” But this song isn’t about the “Fountain of Youth”, it’s about the Eternal King, Creator of the Universe who is forever true to His Word (The Holy Bible) and caring about His people (humankind). I love the line about Jesus creating “rivers in my soul.” It’s beautiful on every point: sound, lyrics, tempo, everything!

Song #10: I Stand in Awe (feat. Nicole Serrano)
Rating: 5
Review: Nicole Serrano’s voice is the first sound I heard in this song, and it’s beautiful. Her voice is soulful and deep yet light as air. The way that Tomlin’s voice joins hers first like a backup singer then as an equal results in a breathtaking duet between two professional singers who know what they’re doing—they’ve created a musical masterpiece!

Song #11: Praise Is the Highway
Rating: 4
Review: This song has a powerful message about the power of God to break strongholds and how praise is the highway to the throne and heart of God. I could hear the guitar and drums, which in this case are just as necessary as the lyrics.

Song #12: How Sweet It Is (feat. Pat Barrett)
Rating: 3
Review: I thought that this song was sweet but it’s not my cup of tea. The message, however, is nice because it talks about how sweet it is to be loved by Jesus but I didn’t like the song or Pat Barrett’s singing voice.

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Buy Chris Tomlin's "Holy Roar" CD here, 
https://christomlin.lnk.to/HolyRoarQW

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Hear Chris talk about the idea of his new album "Holy Roar," here.

~*~

Read this message from FlyBy Promotions regarding the giveaway of Chris Tomlin’s CD “Holy Roar”: 

“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

~*~
Enter the giveaway contest via the Rafflecopter widget below for your chance to WIN a copy of "Holy Roar" (CD) by Chris Tomlin: 

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Devotionals for the Heart: Light

Be the Light
A devotional by Ginger Solomon

“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” 
–Matthew 5:14-16 (NLT)

Light. A simple term for a complex word. The dictionary defines it this way: “something that makes things visible or affords illumination.”

Khan Academy says this about it, “All we see is light. Your face in the mirror, the trees on your street, that donut in the bakery window—you can see them because light bounces off of them and enters your eyes. Our eyes are designed to detect light and analyze the information it carries about the world around us.”

Did you know darkness cannot overcome light? It doesn’t matter how dark it is, light always shines forth. Even when we can’t see the sun, it still shines. The light may be blocked for a time, but it still exists.

I think that’s why WE are the light of the world. We are not called to it. It is part of who we are.

Just like a candle or a flashlight, we need to shine where we’re placed. Our job is to illuminate the darkness—to chase it back.

But what if we don’t do our jobs?

What if a candle loses its flame or a flashlight runs out of batteries? They are no longer useful—unless you relight the candle or replace the batteries.

What if your light has gone out?

Well, we know the ultimate source of power—God. Seek Him. Matthew 6:33 (NLT) tells us, “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” 1 Cor. 4:20 (NLT) tells us, “For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God's power.”

We have to “plug in” to the true source of power, and when we do, He will supply what we need to do the work He has called us to do.

As I was working on this post, an OLD song came to mind. It came out in 1995, but I think it’s even more apropos to today’s world. I hope you don’t mind. It’s a song by Kathy Troccoli called “Go Light Your World.”

If we all allow our lights to shine for Jesus, what a difference we could make in this dark world. I encourage you to think about it. I sure have been.

~*~
Author Bio:

Ginger Solomon is a Christian, a wife, a mother to seven, and a writer—in that order (mostly).

She writes or reads inspirational romance of any genre, and if she’s busy homeschooling, doing laundry, or fixing dinner, books are on her mind.

She’s a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), president of her local writing group, and blogs regularly for InspyRomance.com and at gingersolomon.com.

A Song about God's Love for you!

Thankful Thursday: Earth is NOT Our Home

It's Thursday and I'm thankful that Earth is NOT our home.

"Why?" You may ask. Allow me to explain.

I don't think you have to look far these days to see signs of trouble. It's clear that with the state of the world and human affairs today, life is getting more complicated and more unpredictable. Mother Nature is having mood swings (hot weather in months that are supposed to be cold, cold weather in months that are supposed to be hot) and people are getting more comfortable with disrespecting each other. It's sad.

Lately, I've realized that I've been so busy trying to establish myself as a career professional and secure a place for me in this world that I've forgotten one Bible based truth: Earth is NOT our home.

So where is our home? If you're a believer in God and a follower of Jesus Christ then you know that Heaven is our true home. As Christians, we are just passing through which is why God advises us in His Word (The Holy Bible) to not get too comfortable here on this planet Earth.

According to The Message Bible, God advises us, "Friends, this world is not your home, so don’t make yourselves cozy in it. Don’t indulge your ego at the expense of your soul. Live an exemplary life among the natives so that your actions will refute their prejudices. Then they’ll be won over to God’s side and be there to join in the celebration when he arrives" (1 Peter 2:11-12, MSG).

I love the Bible book of Hebrews, especially Chapter 11 of Hebrews. I call it “The Faith Chapter” because it shows us how our spiritual forefathers like Abraham followed God without question. They had full faith in where He was leading. Abraham literally packed his bags and took his family on a journey to a destination unknown just because God said, “Go.”

I want to have the faith of father Abraham to the point where my life is summed up simply as, “God sent, she went!” I want to follow Him to the ends of the Earth. I want to serve Him with all of my heart and be a willing and true vessel for His purpose. I want to be one of His servants who He uses as an instrument of His peace. I want to, as St. Francis of Assisi said, be used as an instrument of God’s peace. Honestly, in our modern times on this Earth, I think it is a prayer that every Christ-follower should pray to God.

Let’s read St. Francis’ prayer. He said: “Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. O, Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love; For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; it is in dying that we are born again to eternal life.”

A lot of times when life on Earth makes me overwhelmed, discouraged or too depressed to pray, I ask God-fearing friends to pray for me. One of those friends is an older lady who wakes up early in the morning every day to pray for everyone on her prayer list. Recently, I reached out to her in my distress and her answer to me was simple. She told me, “Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus Christ.” And honestly, it upset me because it felt like she was bypassing my pain with Bible-based advice and for the rest of the day, I silently stewed, thinking that she doesn’t know what I’m dealing with or she wouldn’t say that to me. I’m hurt! I’m in pain! I’m overwhelmed! I’m oppressed and depressed and THIS is what she tells me? BUT God started working on my heart and I realized that though her advice seemed simple, it was the perfect answer because only God can give me perfect peace.

It’s like this song by Laura Story:

So my dear friends, as this world gets crazier and the weather becomes more unpredictable and you’re feeling too overwhelmed to function, keep your eyes on Jesus Christ because only He can give you perfect peace.

Please remember that if you believe in the Creator of the Universe (God), Earth is NOT our home. We are, like our spiritual forefathers mentioned in The Faith Chapter, “waiting for the city with permanent foundations, whose architect and builder is God” (Hebrews 11:10, ISV).

Heaven is our home. It’s a place free of sin and sorrow. No more death, depression, oppression, despair, injustice or inequities. The day is coming when God will make everything right. Until then, let us as my prayer warrior church friend says, “Keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.”

God bless you!

Love,

Alexis

Music CD Giveaway: Nichole Nordeman "Every Mile Mattered"

Dear Blog Readers,

Today, I’m reviewing Nichole Nordeman’s new CD “Every Mile Mattered” for Flyby Promotions. You’re in for a treat because they’re offering one copy of Nichole’s CD to one lucky winner!

Word to the wise: Even if you do not win this CD, buy it because it’s packed with God-given messages that will inspire your mind and encourage your heart as your journey through life.

Before we dive into my review of this captivating CD, let's learn a bit more about the artist behind the music, Nichole via snippets of her professional bio!

A top Christian artist with four No. 1 and seven Top 5 singles under her belt — along with nine Dove Awards including two Female Vocalist of the Year wins — Nordeman stepped out of the limelight to work on saving her marriage and raising her babies. The union didn’t last, but she says she’s still grateful she made that decision because she wouldn’t have forgiven herself if she didn’t give it her full attention. She also didn’t have to miss a minute of her children’s all-important early development, and was still able to feed her creative urges by writing for other artists. As for her post-divorce journey from a place of isolation and loss to acceptance and strength, Nordeman says, “As hard as it was to start over, a lot of beauty came from those ashes.”

Every Mile Mattered, Nichole's new CD, released in July 2017. She's said that she identifies strongly with “Sound of Surviving,” inspired by the story of Demonte Bell, a popular young employee of a smoothie shop across from a celebrity-filled L.A. workout studio who was shot 28 times in a random drive-by. Miraculously, he managed to survive, and went to the studio to thank those who had supported his recovery efforts. After slowly inching his way forward on crutches, he told the roomful of teary-eyed people staring in disbelief, “I’m still here.”

“I just thought about so many people who are saying those three words in the middle of cancer, in the middle of divorce or addiction or in the middle of deep loss and suffering,” she explains. “They’re saying to the darkness, ‘I’m still here.’ It’s an anthem for anyone who’s in the middle of a fight. It’s easy to write a song after you’ve won the battle, but when you’re in the middle of it, it’s maybe even more important to say those empowering words. To your struggle. To yourself. To God.”

~*~

Doesn't it feel like you know Nichole now? She's pretty awesome! I don't know her personally but I've been a fan of her music since my college years. So I was delighted to receive this new CD of hers for free in exchange for an honest review.

Let's move on to my review of her new CD! :) 

Every song is rated between 1 and 5 stars. Here’s the meaning of each starred rating:

5 stars = Wonderful! I love it!

4 stars = Great song and lyrics, I really like it!

3 stars = Nice tune but not too spectacular

2 stars = I really do not like this song

1 star = Not worth listening to

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Song #1: Every Mile Mattered
Rating: 4 stars
Review: This song is rich in imagery and solid in composition. I loved the way that Nichole started the song like a story and encourages the listener to know that every mile in their life journey mattered. It’s a reminder that all of the tears and trials made me into who I am today. All of the pain and all of the joys amounted to life as I know it now. Nothing was wasted. God brings beauty out of brokenness and paints masterpieces out of pain.

Song #2: You’re Here
Rating: 4 stars
Review: This song is a beautiful reminder that no matter what you’re going through or how far away it makes you feel from God, you are not alone because God is still here. He’s right there with you in the storms of life. He wants you to stay close to Him and trust Him to help you survive the storm.

Song #3: Dear Me
Rating: 5 stars
Review: This song is like a journal entry that Nichole wrote to herself. It starts off slow and melancholy then takes flight. Like looking out the window inside an airplane flying over the sunrise, these lyrics give a beautiful view of God’s Love for humankind. It’s a beautiful story of transformation concerning how God took someone from barely believing in him to blossoming into a good understanding of God’s heart of compassion. It’s a glorious melody. Makes me feel like I’m fully immersed in a movie or moving through beautiful scenery like the Lavender Fields in France.

Song #4: No Longer
Rating: 4 stars
Review: This song is a goodbye to a faithless life. It’s a hello to a faith-filled life, a progression toward falling in love with Jesus Christ and going on a journey with Him. She no longer is afraid and bound to living a “safe” life. She’s traded her comfort for an adventure, following God’s lead and allowing Him to take her on a journey beyond her wildest dreams.

Song #5: Lean
Rating: 4 stars
Review: The first few notes of this song sound similar to “Here with Us” which is a Christmas song by Joy Williams. But after the first bar, this song shows that it’s clearly an original by Nichole. It’s deep and retrospective. She shares how she learned how to lean into Jesus. It’s a reminder of how God is truly Jehovah Jireh (Provider) and is strong enough for us to lean on Him.

Song #6: Hush, Hush
Rating: 4 stars
Review: A beautiful reminder of God’s unconditional love for us. This song spoke to me. I felt like this is what God tells me when I’m upset or depressed and just not understanding. I love the line that says “You don’t have to have all the answers”. I like how this song encourages me to rest and trust God to take care of everything. He’s more than capable of taking care of me. He wants me to “hush”, calm down and trust Him completely. Thank you, Nichole, for this beautiful reminder!

Song #7: Listen to Your Life
Rating: 4 stars
Review: The opening line to this song made me LOL. Nichole says, “I hear voices, don’t think that I’m crazy.” The second line says, “I can hear my heart trying to tell my head take it easy.” I totally related to it. I love how the lyrics in this upbeat melody encourage me to listen to my life. What is God trying to tell me? What do I need to pay attention to? What do I need to let go of to hear God’s Voice?

Song #8: Beautiful Day
Rating: 4 stars
Review: This song fades in and echoes at the start, Nichole’s voice is barely a whisper for the first few moments of this tune. A soft and gentle touch carries the listener through this song from start to finish. It makes me think of beautiful days on the beach in the summertime. Sitting on the shore, listening to the ebb and flow of the ocean. It’s very relaxing. I think the message in this song is about appreciating every day of life that God gives you. It’s a beautiful day when you let God’s Grace shine through it.

Song #9: Sound of Surviving
Rating: 5 stars
Review: This song is my new anthem! I’ve played it on repeat every single day since receiving this CD a few weeks ago. It’s amazing! I relate to the message and love how toward the end of the song, Nichole encourages the listener to say, “I’m still here.” She tells us to “say it to the pain”, “Say it the rain”, “Say it to your fear.” I love it! This song makes me want to fight for my life and never give up. It’s a gorgeous way to remind the listener that we can do ALL things through Jesus Christ who gives us strength (Philippians 4:13)! I love every second of this song…such an inspiration! I’m still here!

Song #10: Anywhere We Are
Rating: 4 stars
Review: This song is a reminder that every person on planet Earth will experience trials BUT we are more than overcomers with God on our side! We must choose to trust Him and remember that anywhere we are in life, He is there and He’s able to help us through any situation that life serves.

Song #11: Slow Down
Rating: 4 stars
Review: This song is a tribute to Nichole’s children. It’s about how fast they're growing up and how she wants them to slow down. It’s a song about cherishing every moment in life. It’s clear that as a mother, Nichole wants to hold her babies while they're still small enough to be held. She wants to keep them close to her heart even when they grow up and go to college. Ultimately, it’s a maternal love song with a simple message: No matter how old her babies get, she’s going to be there for them because she’s their Mother and she loves them with all of her heart. It reminds me of the perfect parallel: We are children of God, He loves us with ALL of His heart and He will always be there for us through every stage of our life.

*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this CD which I received from Capitol Christian Music Group via FlyBy Promotions. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
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Connect with Nichole and buy her CD:
Official website - http://nicholenordeman.com

Buy links – iTunes, Spotify, and Amazon

She has a book “Slow Down" coming out in August, pre-order here:
http://slowdown-book.com 
~*~
Enter this music giveaway contest for your chance to WIN a copy of Nichole's new CD by filling out the entry form on the Rafflecopter widget below: 

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Thankful Thursday: A God Who Calls Us to Be Still

It’s Thursday and I’m thankful for a God who calls us to be still.

Growing up, a classic song that often played on my favorite Christian radio station at that time was “Be Still and Know” by Steven Curtis Chapman.

I never knew what that song meant until I grew up. The lyrics to this song are based on a Bible verse. Psalm 46:10 reads: He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

But what does God mean when He tells us to “be still” and “know that He is God”? As I was driving one day earlier this week, this thought came to me and I realized several real-life scenarios in which God calls us to be still.

Here’s a short list (because the scenarios are boundless):

For Mothers of young children: When your babies are turning your house into chaos with activity, noise, and wailing, God calls you “be still” even if it’s just for a moment and “know that He is God”. In your situation, that means that He will bring peace and order to your household. Remember, Jesus loves the little children and beckons them to come to Him. He gave you those kids because He loves you and trusts you will raise them well. Don’t be too hard on yourself when you are tempted to think that because of the chaos, you are failing as a mother. God doesn’t expect you to be perfect, He expects you to be faithful to Him and He’ll take care of all the details. So by taking a moment to be still, breathe and remember He is in control, you are recognizing that He is God and He knows what He’s doing even when you feel that you don’t. He will help you and bless your efforts to be a faithful servant of His and a good mother to your kids.

For students in school: Assignments and tests given to you by your teachers can be stressful, especially when you’re struggling with learning the content. So for you, being still and knowing that God is God means that you’re taking a moment out of your rigorous life as a student to turn to God and ask Him for guidance. The very act of being still and acknowledging God, even if it’s just for a moment, should bring you peace and a better perspective on your situation. The Bible says to ask God for wisdom and He’ll give it to you. God created your brain. He’s perfectly capable of helping your brain master the content of what you’re studying. He can bless you with understanding and help you get good grades. If you have a tough teacher, God can soften your teacher’s heart and inspire them to grade a challenging test “on the curve” or make it so that they become a more effective teacher that helps every student—struggling or not—understand the content and ace every test. When you’re a student and you’re taking all of those classes, trying to get a good education because your parents said it is the key to your future, being still and knowing that God is God will help calm your nerves. God’s got this! Believe it.

For professionals working in careers: Congratulations on getting and keeping a job! Maybe you’re working your dream job or maybe you’re transitioning from another career. Maybe you love your work or you strongly dislike it. Either way, there is great value in taking  time to be still and know that God is God. Start your mornings with prayer and devotional time with God. My pastor always says that “Mornings are better when you talk with God first.” Christian leaders say that “Prayer is the most important conversation of the day.” Why? Because when you talk to God first—not reaching for your phone to check messages and reply to texts, or engage in any other activity before spending time with your Creator—and you ask Him for guidance throughout your day, you will experience His peace and sense His presence. You will be calm when dealing with a difficult boss, employee or client. You will be peaceful when your colleagues are stressed about deadlines. People will notice your peace and inquire why there’s something different about you and then my friend, God’s given you a chance to witness for Him!

Those are just three key examples that I believe a lot of people in those situations can relate to in real-life. But when it comes to situations in my own life, let me tell you what it means for me to “be still” and “know” that God is God…When I’m stressed or worried, I take a moment to be still, breathe and acknowledge that God is God. He is Lord over all! He is in control, not people. When I recognize His Lordship over my life, it creates a sense of peace in my mind and calms my heart. I put my faith and trust in Him because He is Good and His plan for my life is perfect (Jeremiah 29:11). So I know that when I’m bothered by the troubles of the world and struggling in my personal life, all I need to do is send my problems up to Him in prayer then leave it at His throne and trust Him to work all things together for my good (Romans 8:28). Someone once said that when you have “F.A.I.T.H.”, it means that you are “Forwarding All Issues to Heaven.” It’s an acronym. Get it?

I take solace in the fact that Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace and since He lives in the heart of believers (in God), I can trust Him to give me peace. But His peace is not just for me; it’s for everyone He sends my way. See, being still and knowing that God is God doesn’t just help you, it helps everyone because like it or not, we are all connected and affected by each other. So when you’re peaceful in the midst of chaos, people are going to marvel and wonder why. They may even be bold enough to ask you and then again, you have a chance to share your faith in the One who is Lord over all.

Sharing your faith in God with words of love (Ephesians 4:15) instead of shoving the gospel truth down someone’s throat (metaphorically speaking) attracts people to God and encourages their heart when they see how much He loves them.

I know that when I take the time to reflect on all God has done for me and I read in the Bible how God is good and He will never change, I am encouraged and inspired to live my life for His glory. His goodness and love for humankind, at times renders me speechless. My heart overflows with joy to know that God is my Father (and yours too). The lyrics to this song “Be Still and Know” encourage me to go to God for rest and embrace His heart of love that beats so strongly for His children. 

Knowing that God is God and just taking a moment every day to be still and remember that truth will change your life!

So there you have it, that’s why I am thankful this Thursday!

In closing, I’d like for you to listen to the song.

God bless your hearts!

Love,

Alexis

What Easter Sunday means for you

What does Easter Sunday mean for you?

It means that if you believe in God and accept Jesus Christ as your Risen Lord and Savior then you have the HOPE of gaining eternal life when your time on Earth is over and Jesus Christ returns to take His people home to Heaven.

I think that this Biblical truth is best described in this song "Forever" by Kari Jobe.

Enjoy this song and know that there is a God who loves YOU with ALL of His divine heart! :)

Music Monday: Kari Jobe's new album, "The Garden"

    

Kari Jobe
"The Garden" (Listen to the song here)
(Summary courtesy of MergePR)

It’s said for everything there is a season. Winter. Spring. Summer. Fall. One by one, we experience these seasons throughout our lives. Our souls grow dark and weary in the thick of winter, and just when we think we can’t endure another cold night, we recognize the first signs of spring. Slow and unexpected, welcome shades of green break through the frozen ground. Sometimes our Creator uses His own creation to remind us that even amidst winter’s chill He is always at work. For it’s in the unseen where life’s most beautiful moments take shape. Worship leader Kari Jobe knows this to be true in her own life, and on her fourth album, The Garden (Capitol CMG), she invites listeners to drink of the wellspring of hope she’s found in the midst of unimaginable tragedy. 

Jobe has earned the right to speak from experience. She’s become a trusted friend to listeners throughout a career that includes more than 1 million albums sold, a GRAMMY® nomination, multiple Dove Awards and praise from the New York Times. She’s amassed 173 million career streams and is the most-followed female CCM artist on social media with a following that exceeds 3.5 million. Beyond the stats, Jobe’s timeless songs have carried countless listeners to the feet of Christ over and over again. Her voice has become a soundtrack to people’s lives, and The Garden is well-equipped to bring healing in the midst of pain.

While The Garden planted the songwriter back in the studio following 2014’s critically-acclaimed live recording, Majestic—which won a GMA Dove Award for Praise and Worship Album of the Year—the new album is also rooted in a series of personal transition and remarkable grief for the singer and her family. In the past two years, Jobe married her husband Cody Carnes and moved from her hometown of Dallas, Texas, to Nashville, where the couple bought their first home and had a baby. With due dates three months apart, Jobe and her sister, Kris, were excited to be pregnant at the same time. Yet, in the midst of happy life changes, heartbreak struck. Seven-and-a-half months into her pregnancy, Kris gave birth to a stillborn daughter, James Ivy. Jobe, four months pregnant with her son at the time, was devastated.

“It just shattered my heart. It was so, so hard,” Jobe shares. “It wrecked me—just the weight of unanswered prayers. I was trying to walk in peace when I didn’t feel peaceful and find my rest when my spirit didn’t feel rested.”

Aching for her sister, Jobe was simultaneously anxious for the safety of her own child. On February 18, 2016, a healthy Canyon Carnes entered the world. “It’s hard to celebrate life, but to be grieving with your sister,” Jobe admits, adding that knowing Canyon’s name ahead of time gave her strength through the remainder of her pregnancy after the loss of her niece. “God gave us his name even before this whole thing took place,” she says. “Canyon means a deep ravine for water to flow through. Canyons are formed through storms, so the fact that God gave me his name was so peaceful to me… I was thankful He gave me his name for that season.”

While the birth of her son was undoubtedly a milestone to celebrate, her sister’s loss weighed heavy on her heart. Yet, a reminder of God’s kindness came in a surprising way. As Jobe held Canyon in her arms, she stood looking out the kitchen window of her new home. And there in her backyard, she glimpsed the first signs of spring. When she and her husband purchased the house, a garden that resided on the property was overgrown; and though they knew it needed to be tended, they were advised to wait and see what it produced. The result was a breathtaking bounty of harvest. That day, Jobe made her way through the garden—a stark reminder of God’s faithfulness in all circumstances. Looking up, interwoven in the archway, she couldn’t help but smile as she saw what only God could produce: thick, green ivy lacing its way overhead, immediately reminding her of her niece’s namesake.

“Ivy is the most resilient plant there is. It can grow in the harshest of climates; it can grow in the harshest of situations,” Jobe explains, adding, “I’m standing in this garden. There’s ivy growing, and I just started to realize, ‘God, You’re moving in a way that is different than what I asked for, but You are moving.’ He’s at work and doing things we can’t see.”

The experience yielded the title track for Jobe’s new album and fresh healing for her soul. “Those seeds were planted years ago for it to be the way that it was that day for me, because it wasn’t just last year that they planted all this beautiful ivy. That took years,” she observes. “Something in my spirit started to rustle. Life was coming back. What felt dead in my heart was starting to wake up. It was like I’d been in this place of being numb in my walk with the Lord, but something just started blooming in my heart.”

Her unanswered questions began to grow into songs. As Jobe declared God’s goodness over her own circumstances, He began to transform her heart. “These raw things were coming out of my mouth, so I just started writing,” she shares. “I Will Sing,” written while she was still pregnant, became the first song she penned for this album. Jobe spent the next several months pouring out her emotions one track at a time, collaborating with friends, and eventually recording half of the album in Redding, California, and the other half in Nashville. She and her husband wrote together frequently, and Cody adds vocals on numerous tracks. In addition, Jobe co-wrote with acclaimed songwriters, including Jacob and Amanda Cook of Bethel Music, Brooke Fraser Ligertwood, Ben Fielding, Jason Ingram, Mia Fieldes, Martin Smith, Henry Seeley and Josh Silverburg, among others. In addition, she covered two songs that she claimed in the midst of loss: Jesus Culture’s “Miracles” and Elevation Church’s “Here As In Heaven.” Jeremy Edwardson (Jesus Culture, Bryan and Katie Torwalt), who helmed Majestic, produced the project.

While songs like “Fall Afresh,” “Heal Our Land” and “Closer to Your Heart” reveal congregational anthems like many of the offerings that have defined Jobe’s career, most of The Garden’s 14 tracks speak to hope in the midst of loss, peace in the midst of uncertainty and God’s presence in the midst of pain. “Oh The Power” vividly recalls another garden where suffering took place, the Garden of Gethsemane. “Jesus went to a garden in His last moments to have intimacy with the Father. It was like He wanted to be surrounded with something that reminded Him of when there was no sin and there was no separation from God,” Jobe says, referencing the garden where mankind began—in Eden. It’s a heavenly space she hopes to invite listeners into with her new album, which, on a sonic level, feels like an overarching narrative backed by a sweeping cinematic score, meant to be savored from start to finish.

“The garden is true intimacy with the Father, and it’s a place where He intended for us as humankind to be surrounded with His creation. There’s life in things that He’s created,” she offers. “I want to lead people into intimacy with the Father. It’s something that’s so important as we walk through stuff in our lives.”

Today, Jobe and her family continue to discover restoration through glimpses of God’s goodness. “The healing that He’s been bringing to my family and the way that He’s met us in our pain, it’s made me realize how many people are going through really intense pain and disappointments and trials,” Jobe offers. “There’s a lot of people who have lost babies or family members out of traumatic experiences. My eyes have been opened to that in a whole new way.”

She’s also viewing her platform in a new light since giving birth to Canyon. “I feel more of a maternal instinct now in my worship leading, even declaring things over people,” she shares, adding, “At the end of the day, my favorite thing now is just to be on the floor playing with blocks and reading books. Nothing else really matters. If I just became his momma and a wife, I’m fine with that. I just feel more settled than I’ve ever felt in my life.”

In the time leading up to The Garden, Jobe has experienced both indescribable joy and unimaginable pain. Life and death, side by side. Yet, through it all, she’s found God to be inextricably faithful because she’s learned to trust the Gardner and the beautiful, unseen ways He tends to our hearts.

“Everyone who’s seen something grow out of the dust realizes God was up to something in the midst of pain and questions. He never promised that it would be easy or that it would be pain-free, but that He would never leave us or forsake us,” Jobe offers, adding, “I’m more aware of His presence than I think I’ve ever been. God has surrounded us with things that will be life-giving if we take a moment to realize it. God’s always at work in our lives. He truly does go before us and prepares the way for the journey ahead.”

~*~

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Words of Faith: Rachel's story about waiting on the Lord

The Preciousness of Waiting
A Words of Faith story by Rachel Hauck

Sunday morning as we sang the song “Good, Good Father,” I was struck by the first line of the bridge which says,“You are perfect in all of your ways.”

How often I doubt God is perfect. I think He’s forgotten me or worse, ignoring me. Nothing could be further from the truth! He loves me! He’s for me! He has good plans for me. 

The other night I was talking to a musician friend who’s been waiting a long time to record an album. But the doors never opened. In the mean time, he learned to write better songs. He’s partnered with seasoned professionals. In the waiting, he became the songwriter he needed to become. We don’t like waiting. We want what we want…now!

But God is perfect in all His ways.

My writing journey happened fast compared to some. But I didn’t have immediate success. I was published but not very popular. I've been writing full time for 12 years and my career finally took a turn. How far or how long the turn I don’t know but God is perfect in all His ways. Over the years, I had opportunity to write for different publishers but the doors never opened. 

A few years ago my agent talked to me about co-writing as a way of helping another author while boosting my sales and earning potential. But I never had peace about it. Soon after I ran into a physical issue that slowed me down for about six months. Had I been in a co-writing deal amid my own deadlines...Shivers!

God is perfect in all His ways. In today’s world, it’s easy to become consumers of fear and anxiety, doubt and depression, envy and jealousy. But we are called to gaze upon Jesus and find our purpose and identity in Him.

Psalm 121:1-8 (NASB) says:

I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; 

From where shall my help come?

My help comes from the Lord, 

Who made heaven and earth. 

He will not allow your foot to slip; 

He who keeps you will not slumber. 

Behold, He who keeps Israel 

Will neither slumber nor sleep. 

The Lord is your keeper; 

The Lord is your shade on your right hand.

The sun will not smite you by day, 

Nor the moon by night. 

The Lord will protect you from all evil; 

He will keep your soul.

The Lord will guard your going out and your coming in 

From this time forth and forever.

What comfort to know God is watching over us day and night! He is good. He is faithful. Don't lose patience with the journey. Take hold of the preciousness of waiting. He won’t forget you! 

Be blessed!

~*~
Author bio: 

Rachel Hauck is a New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author.

She lives in sunny central Florida with her husband and ornery cat. A graduate of Ohio State University with a degree in Journalism, she worked in the corporate software world before planting her backside in uncomfortable chair to write full time eight years ago.

Rachel serves on the Executive Board for American Christian Fiction Writers. She is a mentor and book therapist at My Book Therapy, a conference speaker and worship leader.

Rachel writes from her two-story tower in an exceedingly more comfy chair. She is a huge Buckeyes football fan. 

~*~
Connect with Rachel:

Website - www.rachelhauck.com
Twitter - https://twitter.com/rachelhauck/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/rachelhauck/SaveSave

GoodReads - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/257934.Rachel_Hauck

Song Spotlight: Day After Christmas

Thankful Thursday: The Maker Loves Me

It’s Thursday and I’m thankful that The Maker loves me!

Most of this entire week, direct evidence of God caring for me was revealed in so many wonderful ways! I knew that my post today had to be about this very topic and truth of how the Maker (God) loves me, you, and all of His creation—from the Evergreen trees and your favorite fruit, to you and me—the love of God for His children is beyond words.

So here’s what happened:

On the evening of Monday, Aug. 24, I received an e-mail message from Jennifer Slattery. She sent the message to remind me that my guest post for her blog was scheduled for this week Thursday (Aug. 27) and that she needed my post that day (Aug. 24). 

Now I was totally unprepared—or so I thought because I forgot—but then I remembered the idea that dropped into my mind as I was going to sleep the night before. Facebook “celebrity look-a-like” tests were on my mind because I’d seen a lot of those in the previous week and then the light bulb turned on (I got an idea): Why not write something about how we are made in God’s image? God is way better than a celebrity! So at exactly 12:51 a.m., I typed my thoughts into a notepad application in my phone.

Here’s a snippet of what I typed: “People want to be like stars and so to resemble a star is to be connected to greatness but the God of the Universe made you in His image and He would move mountains just to connect with you! You resemble the Almighty God! It does not get any better than that!” Voila! I remembered this and so on Aug. 24 in the afternoon, about an hour after reading Jennifer’s e-mail, I went to work on writing the devotional about being made in God’s image and I finished within two hours! Would you like to read it? It was posted on Jennifer’s blog today. You can read it here.

My second and final note of thankfulness happened today! I was shopping at one of my favorite stores for the perfect pair of shoes to wear to my brother’s wedding. I went to a store known for its great shoes at low prices first but the shoe(s) didn’t fit. So I visited one more store and found the perfect sandals! They are gorgeous! 

Now how I found these sandals are where the testimony starts. I searched high and low (quite literally, I went through the entire store looking at all levels of the shelves that made the wall—from the shelves above my head to the shelves below my knees). Just when I was about to give up (after trying on at least five shoes that did not fit my feet), my attention was directed (yes, I believe God directed me) to a few fancy shoes laid out on the floor by a woman who looked like she too was searching for the perfect shoe. A pair of beautiful beige sandals decorated with a gorgeous flower of the same shade, captivated my attention. So I went over to where the lady sat and commented on the sandals. “Oh, you like these?” she said in a tone that made me think she was waiting for me to come over and comment on the beige shoes. “Here,” she said as she lifted one of the sandals off the floor and handed it to me. “Ask him.”

The “him” she was referring to was the sales attendant who stood nearby. I followed directions and long story short, left the shoe store with the perfect pair of sandals for my brother’s wedding! The sandals complement my dress so I am beyond elated!

Wrapping up this Thankful Thursday post, I’d like for you to watch the official video for Chris August’s song, “The Maker.” I am head-over-heels in love with this song ever since hearing it for the first time, earlier this year! I believe when you listen to it, you’ll feel hugged by God because it’s about how much God loves you and will reveal His goodness to you because you are one of His children and He takes care of His own! Read Philippians 4:19.

What are you thankful for today?