Review: "Beautiful Word Coloring Bible for Girls"

If you're looking for a Bible for a pre-teen girl, the Beautiful Word Coloring Bible for Girls could be just what you need. How do I know? I asked my 8-year-old cousin to help me review it!

Review + Giveaway: NIV Adventure Bible Polar Exploration Edition

When I was in the third or fourth grade, I desperately wanted The Adventure Bible. My parents gave it to me for Christmas that year (I mean, were they really going to deny my wish for a Bible???), and I loved it and used it for years.

Review + Giveaway: "Holy Roar" by Chris Tomlin

It's time for another music review and giveaway! Chris Tomlin is one of America's favorite worship leaders, and I was able to preview his new album. I also have a copy to give away, so be sure to click keep reading for info about that!

Review + Giveaway: "Unbroken: Path to Redemption"

Remember the story of Louis Zamperini? If you've read the book Unbroken, you probably know the whole story. But if you've only seen the movie? Well, that ended with a large portion of Zamperini's story yet untold! Unbroken: Path to Redemption picks up where Unbroken left off, and as soon as I heard about it, I knew I wanted to know (as Paul Harvey would say) "the rest of the story."

"The Star" Available Now

This is a sponsored post in partnership with FlyBy Promotions and Sony Pictures.

Visit the website.

Just before Christmas, I saw trailers for a new animated film called The Star. Normally, I'm really leery about adaptations of Bible stories, but I started seeing good reviews from places like Plugged In. Then I asked my three little cousins about it, and they were practically yelling over each other in their excitement to tell me about it. (Their favorite character is Bo the Donkey, by the way.)

"ESV Illuminated Bible" + Giveaway

How blessed are we to live in a time and place where we can easily own multiple copies of God's word? I probably own 10 or so copies myself between the various versions and study Bibles I've collected.

So why did I need another one?

I'll be honest ... I didn't. But I was immediately drawn to the beauty of the ESV Illuminated Bible, and I wanted to see it up close.

"Alpha/Omega" by Kutless + Giveaway

For a time, I was a member of my church's worship choir. It was an amazing experience until I had to step away due to some health issues (which are thankfully under control now). Our director taught us some wonderful worship songs that I'd never heard before but that resonated with me on a deep level: songs like "Cornerstone" and "Great Are You Lord." So when I started listening to Kutless' new album and realized both those songs were on it, I knew that I'd found an album I'd love.

"The Answer" by Jeremy Camp + Giveaway

It's been a while since I've had a music review + giveaway for you, so I'm really excited about this one! It's Jeremy Camp's new album, which released today!

"Open Hands" by Laura Story + Giveaway

Let me tell you a little story ... last Monday, I got home from work and found Laura Story's new album Open Hands in my mailbox. I went inside and proceeded to spend an incredibly frustrating hour on the phone with the company that manufactured my now-broken television and the company I purchased an extended warranty from. Both phone calls ended unsatisfactorily (you can see my Facebook rant here if you're interested), and once I hung up the phone, I knew I needed to do something to lower my blood pressure. So I popped in the CD. Immediately, I felt myself beginning to calm down. And then I was captivated by the music I heard.

"The Garden" by Kari Jobe + Giveaway

Kari Jobe's latest CD, The Garden, is full of beautiful, worshipful songs.

"Tennessee Christmas" by Amy Grant + Giveaway

When I think Christmas albums, two immediately jump to mind: Amy Grant's Home for Christmas and Mariah Carey's Merry Christmas. Then a host of others follow them, as I really like Christmas music!

"live on forever" by the afters + giveaway

The Afters are back with Live on Forever, an album that's sure to get you tapping your toes!

---

Track List:
1. Shadows
2. Battles
3. Sunrise
4. Time of My Life
5. Wake Up My Heart
6. Live on Forever
7. Eyes of a Believer
8. Survivors
9. Legends
10. When You're with Me

It’s easy to assume stories of trial and triumph are just for the Bible or the history books. But miracles still happen, even when adversity hits hardest. Just ask Josh Havens, guitarist and lead vocalist of The Afters. He relates how the band’s latest effort, Live on Forever, began during a season of tragedy. 

Just as the band regrouped to record, Havens witnessed the wife of a close friend contract cancer. Drummer Jordan Mohilowski (who produced the new album) had a brief health scare, and a close companion in his church—part of the worship team—was hit and killed by an impaired driver. She was a young woman, Havens says, who had unlimited potential.

But Live on Forever–the band’s fifth with the Fair Trade label-still took shape as a celebration of faithfulness, protection and promise—one that shimmers with strong rhythms, undeniable energy and compelling pop hooks. The album finds Havens in strong, soaring voice as he invites listeners to find shelter and strength in God. “If any theme has emerged, it would be ‘inspiration and motivation,’” Havens says. 

Havens himself felt a deep need to hold on after another loss struck: The band’s longtime soundman, Anthony Martinez, saw his newborn daughter die in infancy. 

Ask Havens to pick out a song that sums up the spirit of the album, and he chooses “Battles.” “It was the last song we wrote and the fastest we wrote,” he says. “We don’t typically write songs fast; we’ll change lyrics and melodies and craft our songs carefully. But ‘Battles’ poured out, the music and lyrics, in one day. It’s about standing up against fear and knowing God is always with us,” Havens explains. “It’s one of the takeaways we hope people get: ‘Don’t give up to fear.

Havens shares how, half a world away from his home in Phoenix, he caught a small glimpse of heaven’s reassurance. The place: downtown Amsterdam. The occasion: a dinner between shows with band members and spouses—including soundman Martinez and his wife. For their baby daughter, the Martinez couple had chosen an unusual moniker with an unusual spelling: Pieper. Against all odds, it also happened to be exactly how the intimate restaurant they dined at spelled its name. Still, no one was prepared for what happened at the end of the meal. “We were talking about baby Pieper, and as we got up to leave, we noticed that the only thing on the walls—the only thing—was a framed document, an award for hospitality. And the date on the award—the only date in the place—was Pieper’s birthday. Her mother just started bawling.” Havens sums up the reassurance all took home that night: “We thought, ‘This is where God’s angels fly: right in the middle of the loss.’ God gives us little glimpses to show us he’s here.”

“We worked on this record for almost two years and over those two years, it was a real season of loss,” Havens recalls. “But in the end, Live on Forever is about moving us to trust God, to stand up against fear. It’s an ‘ante up’ record, an anthem for people’s lives: ‘God you are with me in all this. I’m not alone.’”

---

Prior to this album, I knew only two things about The Afters: they put out the fabulous "Light Up the Sky" and the cheesy, catchy, and now horribly dated "MySpace Girl." (Go watch the "MySpace Girl" video right now. Seriously.) Those two songs are very different, so I wasn't sure what to expect with Live on Forever.

What I found was a delightful mix of toe tappers, ballads, anthems, and love songs. Some songs are directed toward God ("Wake Up My Heart"), others are meant to encourage believers ("Eyes of a Believer"), and the final song is a beautiful love ballad ("When You're with Me"). This is the kind of album I can listen to the whole way through without getting bored—because the songs don't all sound the same. My favorite songs are "Wake Up My Heart," "Survivors," and "Battles," but all the songs are good. Give the album a listen—you won't be disappointed. 4-1/2 stars.

Not only did I get to enjoy this great CD, but I also have a copy to give away! Enter through the Rafflecopter below.

Giveaway rules: Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. Contest is open in the US and CANADA only. Winner will be selected at random using Rafflecopter.com and will have 48 hours to respond to email notification, or another winner will be chosen.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Buy the album: iTunes, Amazon, Google Play
Listen on Spotify.

Connect with The Afters
Website, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram

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.

"the biggest story" by kevin deyoung + giveaway

The Biggest Story is an engaging walk through the Bible that speaks to children and adults alike.

---

Once upon a time there lived a man and a woman. They were the happiest people on the planet.

True, they were the only people on the planet, but they were still terrifically happy.

Unfortunately, things didn’t stay happy and wonderful for long . . .

The Bible is full of exciting stories that fill children with awe and wonder. But kids need to know how all those classic stories connect to Scripture’s overarching message about God’s glorious plan to redeem his rebellious people.

In The Biggest Story, Kevin DeYoung—a best-selling author and father of six—leads kids and parents alike on an exciting journey through the Bible, connecting the dots from the garden of Eden to Christ's death on the cross to the new heaven and new earth.

The Animated Short Film: Featuring beautifully animated illustrations adapted from the book, The Biggest Story: The Animated Short Film will captivate children and parents alike as they see how all the classic stories in the Bible connect to Scripture’s overarching message about God’s glorious plan to redeem his rebellious people.

The Audio Book: This audio book of The Biggest Story—written and narrated also by the best-selling author Kevin DeYoung—leads kids and parents alike on an exciting journey through the Bible, connecting the dots from the garden of Eden to Christ's death on the cross to the new heaven and new earth.

---

I was able to review copies of both the audiobook (on CD) and short film (on DVD). As soon as I received the package, I popped the CD in. I loved the way DeYoung told the story, but I wondered if maybe it was too advanced for children to truly grasp.

I take my cousin's three daughters (preschool, 1st, and 2nd grades) to school, so I decided to have them listen to a couple chapters each day on our way. The preschooler paid zero attention, but the 1st and 2nd grader seemed to enjoy it. We listened to Chapter Ten, the final chapter, today. Then I asked them what they thought. The 1st grader, who tends to be quiet, said she liked it. The 2nd grader, never afraid to give an opinion, said, "It was kinda boring in parts. But I really liked the part about how Jesus died for us!" We also had a very good discussion about Abraham and Isaac, so I know they were listening.

I didn't have a chance to show them the short film, but I was very impressed by it. It's visually stunning! I think that it will help children understand the story in parts where the words are a bit confusing. (And I'm absolutely sure that some parts of the audiobook went over my little cousins' heads.)

I also think that the short film would be totally suitable for an adult Bible study or small group. Like I said, it's quite stunning, and it could also lead to some great discussions. 4 stars.

Buy the audiobook.
Buy the short film.

I have a copy of this CD/DVD to give away! Enter through the Rafflecopter below.

Giveaway rules: Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. Contest is open in the US and CANADA only. Winner will be selected at random using Rafflecopter.com and will have 48 hours to respond to email notification, or another winner will be chosen.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

---

Kevin DeYoung is senior pastor of University Reformed Church in East Lansing, MI, husband to Trisha, and father to seven children.

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.

"salvation's tide is rising" by passion + giveaway

Are you familiar with Passion worship music? Even if you think you aren't, if you listen to Christian radio or attend a church with contemporary worship music, you probably are. When I searched Passion, I found that many of the worship songs we sing at my church are Passion songs. Passion's latest album, Salvation's Tide Is Rising, releases at the end of the month, and I was able to listen to an early copy.

---

This brand new Passion album contains new studio recordings from best-selling artists Chris Tomlin, Crowder, Matt Redman, and Kristian Stanfill.  It features new songs written specifically for Passion 2016.  Release Date is January 29, 2016.  

Track List:
1.  Salvation's Tide is Rising - Passion featuring Kristian Stanfill
2.  My Victory - Passion featuring Crowder
3.  Remember - Passion featuring Brett Younker & Melodie Malone
4.  God & God Alone - Passion featuring Chris Tomlin
5.  Simple Pursuit - Passion featuring Melodie Malone
6.  I Turn to Christ - Passion featuring Matt Redman
7.  Your Grace Amazes Me - Passion featuring Christy Nockels
8.  All We Sinners - Passion featuring Crowder
9.  Surrender - Passion featuring Jimi Cravity
10. Good Good Father - Passion featuring Kristian Stanfill 

---

Salvation's Tide Is Rising is a good album filled with solid songs. The songs are very singable, and the album features some incredibly well-known artists like Crowder, Matt Redman, and Chris Tomlin; my favorites Christy Nockels and Kristian Stanfill; and a couple artists I'd never heard of, Jimi Cravity and Melodie Malone.

The album does suffer from a problem I've seen in many worship compliations—by the end, the songs all start to sound the same. That doesn't discount any of the songs, but it makes me not to want to listen to the album straight through multiple times. Mixed in with other Christian music, though—like in one of my massive iTunes playlists—it would be great! 4 stars.

Not only did I get to enjoy this CD, but I also have a copy to give away! Enter through the Rafflecopter below.

Giveaway rules: Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. Contest is open in the US and CANADA only. Winner will be selected at random using Rafflecopter.com and will have 48 hours to respond to email notification, or another winner will be chosen.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Connect with Passion:

iTunes
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram

About Passion albums:
Since the first release in 1998, Passion albums have sold over 1.3 million units while introducing the church to worship songs like "Our God", "Holy Is The Lord", "How Great Is Our God", and "God Of This City". Passion is coming off its best charting radio success in 5 years with the single "Even So Come", which went Top 5.

About The Passion Movement:
The Passion Movement and the messages of founder Louis Giglio have marked the lives of millions of people around the globe, calling people everywhere to live for the glory of God. From its inception, the movement of Passion has birthed new anthems of worship, influencing countless churches and helping to define the current worship climate and establish artists Chris Tomlin, Crowder, Matt Redman, Christy Nockels, Kristian Stanfill and others. Louie Giglio is the pastor and founder of Passion City Church in Atlanta, GA.

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.

"mercyme, it's christmas" by mercyme + giveaway

Earlier this year, I told you about my experience with Pizza Ranch (longest. speech meet. ever.) and the Living Hope CD they were selling in their stores. Well, Pizza Ranch is back with another album--this time, it's a Pizza Ranch-exclusive version of MercyMe's new Christmas album, MercyMe, It's Christmas!

---

MercyMe It’s Christmas​ CD will be available in Pizza Ranch locations November 1, 2015, through December 31, 2015.  It has four exclusive songs that can only be found on the CD version being sold by Pizza Ranch.  Each CD will be sold for $5 plus tax.  Pizza Ranch will give away the CD with a $25 gift card purchase, as well as sell the full album at each of its 200 locations throughout the Midwest and Great Plains states.  "We are so excited to debut our new Christmas album, MercyMe, It’s Christmas, with Pizza Ranch” said Bart Millard with MercyMe. “Pizza Ranch is a fantastic restaurant with a great mission to glorify God. It's the perfect gift to give this Christmas season and the perfect CD to get you in the Christmas spirit.” 

Songs:

1. Newborn

2. Christmastime Again

3. Sleigh Ride

4. I’ll Be Home For Christmas

5. Hold On Christmas

6. A Holly Jolly Christmas

7. Go Tell It On The Mountain

8. Do You Hear What I Hear

9. Our Lullaby

10. Joy

11. O Come, O Come 

12. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (Exclusive Bonus Track for Pizza Ranch)

13. O Holy Night (Exclusive Bonus Track for Pizza Ranch)

14. Silent Night (Exclusive Bonus Track for Pizza Ranch)

15. Joseph’s Lullaby (Exclusive Bonus Track for Pizza Ranch) 

---

While it's not yet "officially" Christmas music season, I've been making an exception for this MercyMe album. The perfect mix of new songs and Christmas classics, upbeat tunes and contemplative ballads, MercyMe, It's Christmas! is an album that can be listened to over and over ... and I should know, as I've been playing it in my office for over a week! (And I dare you to listen to "Christmastime Again" and "Hold on Christmas" without tapping your toe!)

If you get the Pizza Ranch version of the album, it's only $5, and it contains four exclusive tracks. (As of right now, the CD is selling for over $10 on Amazon, so this is a great deal!) I am a big fan of this album, and I think you will be too! 5 stars.

Not only did I get to enjoy this great CD, but I also have a copy to give away! Enter through the Raffelcopter below.

Giveaway rules: Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. Contest is open in the US and CANADA only. Winner will be selected at random using Rafflecopter.com and will have 48 hours to respond to email notification, or another winner will be chosen.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

WEBSITE 

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

---

About Pizza Ranch:
Cultivating its mission “To give every guest a legendary experience” since its inception in 1981, Pizza Ranch connects with its communities in a way that provides bridges for friends, family and colleagues to come together. Today, Pizza Ranch is based in Orange City, Iowa and owns, operates and franchises over 190 locations in 13 states. Consistent growth has been a Pizza Ranch staple, as the brand has become a beacon of community involvement and exceptional food. The Pizza Ranch buffet features legendary pizzas, salads and desserts, and is delivered with an unmatched service quality.  “We are extremely blessed to have a very close connection with our guests,” said Adrie Groeneweg, co-founder and president of Pizza Ranch. “This project extends the brand’s essence to a new dimension beyond our four walls and into their lives. It’s a new kind of way for us to relate to our loyal fans.”

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.

"faith of our fathers" dvd review + giveaway

Earlier this year, I went to see the movie Do You Believe? with friends. Prior to the film, we saw several previews for upcoming faith-based films. Faith of Our Fathers was one of them, and after seeing the preview, I knew it was a film I wanted to see.

---

John Paul and Wayne are two young men in search of their fathers.  Problem is...their fathers have been dead for more than 25 years.  Eddie and Steven are two young men in search of their sons...whom they've never met.  In 1969, Eddie and Steven are with their squad deep in the jungle of Vietnam on a five-day mission to retrieve fallen comrades.  They write letters to their wives, often mentioning their love for their sons, one, who is an infant and one yet to be born.  In 1997, John Paul and Wayne go on a five day road trip to the Vietnam Wall in Washington DC to see their fathers' names.  Along the way, reading those letters, they begin to get an understanding of who their fathers were and how they died.  Trials and mishaps, both funny and sad, complicate the road trip for the boys.  The horrors of war and the testing of faith manifest themselves for the young men in Vietnam.  Ultimately, in parallel stories - more than 25 years apart - the fathers and sons are bound together forever.  

---

Faith of Our Fathers is told in parallel stories during the Vietnam War and in 1997. Eddie and Steven gave their lives together in Vietnam; more than 25 years later, their sons Wayne and John Paul embark on a search to know their fathers.

At its heart, Faith of Our Fathers is a road movie, as strangers Wayne and John Paul travel from Mississippi to Washington, D.C. to visit the Vietnam Wall. This is actually where I feel like the film falters a bit, as it's never quite funny enough, some of the situations are bizarre without being humorous, and sometimes the acting seems a bit forced. The Vietnam portion, while much shorter, is much stronger, and the "modern" section improves greatly once the road trip hijinks are finished. And—I can't believe I'm about to say this, as I'm generally not a fan of his acting—Stephen Baldwin is one of the highlights of the film (just don't get me started on his "old man" makeup ...).

All that is not to say this is a bad film—far from it, in fact. It just suffers from some of the same weaknesses that many faith-based films do: uneven acting and jokes that don't quite land. That said, this is one of the better faith-based films I've seen; better than God's Not Dead and Facing the Giants, and not quite as good as Courageous and Do You Believe. It's safe for the whole family (that PG-13 rating is due to war violence, but it's mostly off screen and nearly bloodless), and it's worth watching and discussing. 3-1/2 stars.

Now comes the fun part! I have a copy of the DVD to give away to one of my readers! Enter through the Rafflecopter below.

Giveaway rules: Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. Contest is open in the US and CANADA only. Winner will be selected at random using Rafflecopter.com and will have 48 hours to respond to email notification, or another winner will be chosen.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

---

About the film:
Runtime: 96 minutes
Genre: Drama
Rating: PG-13 (for brief war violence)

Starring: Stephen Baldwin, Kevin Downes, David A.R. White, Rebecca St. James, Si Robertson, Candace Cameron Bure, Scott Whyte, and Sean McGowan.

Special Features of the DVD:
-The Heart of Faith of Our Fathers
-Honoring Father's Day
-Commemorating Memorial Day
-Si Robertson Interview
-Stephen Baldwin Interview

OFFICIAL WEBSITE
FACEBOOK
TWITTER
OFFICIAL TRAILER
SHARE ABOUT SOMEONE OR SOMETHING THAT'S IN YOUR PRAYERS TODAY!
BUY THE FILM

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. Also, some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I will receive an affiliate commission.

"the unmaking" by nichole nordeman + giveaway

Nichole Nordeman is back with an EP full of beautiful songs that speak of vulnerability and truth.

---

"Before things in our lives can be resurrected and given new life, certain things must die.  Before beauty blooms in spring, roots must do the hard work under the hard frozen soil of winter.  Before you renovate and re-build, you tear down the parts of the structure that are weak or damaged or dangerous.  Before we make, we must unmake."  Nichole Nordeman




Track List
1. The Unmaking
2. Not To Us
3. Name
4. Love You More
5. Something Out Of Me
6. Slow Down

---

Nichole Nordeman hasn't released a studio album since 2005's Brave. While some fans may be disappointed that her new album, The Unmaking, only has six songs, I think the disappointment will fade once they actually listen to the music. The music is beautiful, and the lyrics are so honest and vulnerable.

My favorite song on the album is "The Unmaking." Check out the lyric video below:

I also love "Not to Us," which features Plumb. All six songs are great, and I'm super excited to have a CD to give away! Enter through the Rafflecopter below.

Giveaway rules: Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. Contest is open in the US and CANADA only. Winner will be selected at random using Rafflecopter.com and will have 48 hours to respond to email notification, or another winner will be chosen.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Buy the album.

---

Nichole Nordeman is a recording artist and songwriter for Sparrow/EMI CMG, with numerous number-one and top ten singles to her credit and cumulative CD sales of over one million.  A two-time Gospel Music Association winner for Female Vocalist of the Year, she has won a total of nine Dove Awards, including the best-selling album, Music Inspired by The Story.  Her best-known songs include "Holy", "Legacy", "Brave", "This Mystery", "Why", and "What If".  She lives with her family in Tulsa, OK.

OFFICIAL WEBSITE
FACEBOOK
TWITTER
INSTAGRAM
VEVO

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. 

"this is not a test" by tobymac + giveaway

Release Date: August 7, 2015

In junior high and high school, I was obsessed with dc Talk. Obsessed. One of my biggest regrets is not ever seeing them live. I've now seen each member separately, but it's not quite the same. So I was thrilled—like fist pump, jump up and down ecstatic—when I learned that TobyMac's new album would feature a track with dc Talk. And then when an invitation to review said album showed up in my inbox, I hit reply so fast it would have made your head spin!

---

This Is Not A Test  (Deluxe Edition) Songs:
1. Like a Match
2. Backseat Driver (featuring Hollyn & TRU)
3. This Is Not a Test (featuring Capital Kings)
4. Lights Shine Bright (featuring Hollyn)
5. Til the Day I Die (featuring NF)
6. Feel It (featuring Mr. Talkbox)
7. Move (Keep Walkin')
8. Love Broke Thru
9. Beyond Me
10. Love Feels Like (featuring dc Talk)
11. Undeniable
12. Lift You Up (featuring Ryan Stevenson)
13. Fall
14. Beyond Me (Phenomenon Remix)
15. Like a Match (Garcia's Remix)

---

If you're anything like me, your first question regarding the album is, "How's the dc Talk track?"

In a word: Awesome.

Basically, "Love Feels Like" is all the best parts of dc Talk rolled into one. It sounds like it would fit very well on the Jesus Freak or Supernatural albums. Each guy gets a chance to do his thing, and it's just fantastic. The song is incredibly catchy, and there is no doubt it's dc Talk.

The rest of the album is great, too. I especially like "Backseat Driver," featuring Hollyn (who I'd never heard of before) and TRU (TobyMac's son, previously known as Trudog). "Beyond Me" is great, too—and chances are good you've already heard it if you listen to any Christian radio. Really, I like every song on this album, and I think it's going to give Portable Sounds a run for its money as my favorite TobyMac album! 5 stars.

Now here's the part you've been waiting for: I get to give a copy of this awesome CD to one of my readers! Just enter through the Rafflecopter below.

Giveaway rules: Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. Contest is open in the US and CANADA only. Winner will be selected at random using Rafflecopter.com and will have 48 hours to respond to email notification, or another winner will be chosen.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Preorder the album on iTunes and get four songs instantly! 

---

Toby McKeehan (known professionally as TobyMac) is a husband, father, performer, songwriter, producer, and businessman. Growing up in the northern Virginia suburbs adjacent to Washington D.C. helped instill his love for rap music. While attending Liberty University during the mid 80s, Toby met Michael Tait and Kevin Max Smith, and these three friends formed the Grammy winning, platinum selling group dc Talk. Toby began his solo career in 1999 with his first solo album, Momentum, releasing in 2001. Momentum has been followed by four additional studio albums, Welcome to Diverse City (2004), Portable Sounds (2007), Tonight (2010), and Eye On It (2012), along with his first live album, Alive and Transported (2008). This Is Not A Test is his 6th studio album to be released. Starting with dc Talk, and then going solo when the group disbanded, Toby still clings to such rootsy notions as hard work, persistence, patience, and - perhaps most relevant of all - the power of music, which he insists is still what keeps him going. "It's the truth," he says. "I still believe that a song can penetrate a heart. I believe God can use a song to open someone's mind and heart."

OFFICIAL WEBSITE
FACEBOOK
TWITTER
INSTAGRAM
YOUTUBE CHANNEL
VEVO
iTunes
FEEL IT GIVEAWAY 

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.

"living hope" cd from pizza ranch + giveaway

My first experience with Pizza Ranch was after the longest. speech meet. ever. We arrived at the meet late, due to stopping to pick up students from another school whose bus had broken down by the side of the road. Nothing ran on schedule practically all day. We had sick kids, and one of my students got hit on by a judge. It was a looooong day.

So when it was finally time to begin our 90-minute drive home, we decided to stop for food. Pizza Ranch won out, basically because it was conveniently located. Best decision ever!

The food was amazing, and we had so much fun decompressing after our long day! 

While the nearest Pizza Ranch is 45 minutes away from where I live, I though I might start going more often ... and then I began my gluten free diet. I just assumed that Pizza Ranch was out for me—my favorite menu items were the pizza, fried chicken, and potato wedges ... all of which contain gluten. But when I was researching for this post, I discovered that they offer a gluten free pizza. Win! I'm looking forward to trying it out.

And now there's another reason to love Pizza Ranch: they've just released a CD of great Christian music, and it's only $5!

---

On June 2, 2015, Pizza Ranch released a CD called Living Hope containing twelve songs from many of their favorite Christian artists.  Most of the songs are brand-new and written exclusively for this CD around the theme of Hope.  Artists include Colton Dixon, Francesca Batistelli, Ellie Holcomb, Sidewalk Prophets, Kevin Max, Bart Millard, Passion Band featuring Kristian Stanfill, Michael W. Smith, and Mark Schultz.  

The CD will be available to purchase for $5 plus tax exclusively in Pizza Ranch restaurants or for download at pizzaranch.com/livinghope through August 31.  

From Adrie Groeneweg, President & CEO of Pizza Ranch, Inc.: "This album has a very special meaning for Pizza Ranch. Although Pizza Ranch is not in the music business, many things have been happening, conversations have been taking place and doors have been opening for this album. Through these events, I believe it was obvious that God has been behind this for His specific purpose and putting it on our hearts to collectively create this project. As such, we call this our miracle album, Living Hope."

---

I'm really enjoying this CD. Most of the songs were written exclusively for this album, and they all feature the theme of hope. I think my favorite track is "Day One" by Matthew West, which is an acoustic version of his current hit. I also really like "A Little Hope" by Bart Millard (best known from MercyMe). It's such a happy, bouncy tune. The rest of the songs on the album are good, too—I highly recommend it! 5 stars.

Not only did I get to enjoy this great CD, but I also have a copy to give away! Enter through the Raffelcopter below.

Giveaway rules: Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. Contest is open in the US and CANADA only. Winner will be selected at random using Rafflecopter.com and will have 48 hours to respond to email notification, or another winner will be chosen.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Buy the album at any Pizza Ranch or download here.

---

About Pizza Ranch: Adrie Groeneweg founded Pizza Ranch in 1981 in Hull, Iowa. Currently, Pizza Ranch has 190 locations in 13 states including Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Nebraska, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Wyoming and Colorado. Home of the Pizza Lover’s Pizza®, The Country’s Best Chicken®, and our famous cactus bread, Pizza Ranch prides itself on legendary service and quality food.

Learn more about Pizza Ranch and the Living Hope album: 
Twitter: @PizzaRanch @PRServes
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PizzaRanchRacing
Official Website: http://www.pizzaranch.com/livinghope/
YouTube Channel (features images and videos of the artists talking about the story behind each song): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE9lEnxuNzMyLfRyX8_tiLA

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.

"exhale" by plumb + giveaway

Sometimes, first impressions are deceiving. Such is the case with me and the recording artist Plumb ...

---

EXHALE, the seventh studio album from acclaimed multi-genre singer, songwriter, and author PLUMB, expresses a new focus and vision. After the runaway success of NEED YOU NOW (the album, title track, and book), which coincided with her own moving story of brokenness and ultimately healing, EXHALE brims with worshipful songs of gratitude and hope.

The defining concept of EXHALE was born from a sermon at Plumb’s home church, wherein her pastor Pete Wilson expressed the notion that the Church doesn’t exist for itself. Rather, believers come to church to breathe in grace and truth, be changed, and then go out and “exhale” that hope into their surrounding community.

“That idea of exhaling hope hit me right away and I couldn't get to the Notes section on my phone fast enough. I started writing the chorus of Exhale right then and there,” explains Plumb. “I have been made new by the ultimate hope, and I want to share and exhale that hope in every way I can.” 

---

I was first introduced to Plumb (Tiffany Arbuckle Lee) as a junior in high school. My best friend and I went to a college visit weekend at Grace University, and one of the events on the schedule was a Jars of Clay concert. Plumb was the opening act. (Thanks to the wonders of the interwebs, I've been able to confirm that my memory is correct!) Here's what I remember about her: she wore angel wings, and I was not a fan of her music.

I pretty much wrote Plumb off as an artist I didn't enjoy ... until I heard "I Can't Do This" off of her 2006 Chaotic Resolve album. While I really liked the song, it was the type that I'd enjoy every now and again—it wasn't something I wanted to listen to every day. Flash forward a couple years to the release of "Need You Now" off her 2013 Need You Now album. I was going through a very difficult time healthwise, and I found this song running through my mind quite frequently. I realized at this time that there was more to Plumb than I'd thought...there was a depth and a spiritual yearning.

My connection to "Need You Now" is what prompted me to sign up to review Plumb's new album, Exhale. If I had to choose two words to describe the album, they would be "worshipful" and "hopeful." The lyrics are poetic and reflect a maturity and trust that comes after walking through a valley. Plumb's music has also matured—there's no hint of the harshness or anger that was present in some of her earlier work. That's not to say the songs sound weak or mild; they're strong and beautiful. And, best of all, they point the listener to Christ.

My favorite song, hands down, is "Champion," which speaks of Christ's death and resurrection. I also love "Restored," which talks about how the Lord takes the broken and makes it whole. But who am I kidding? I love all the songs! The music video for the title track just released, so you can get an idea of what this album sounds like:
 Exhale is a five star album, and I'd highly encourage you to check it out. (You can purchase it here.) I'd also encourage you to enter the giveaway! I have a CD copy of Exhale to give away to one of you. Enter through the Rafflecopter below.

Giveaway rules: Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. Contest is open in the US and CANADA only. Winner will be selected at random using Rafflecopter.com and will have 48 hours to respond to email notification, or another winner will be chosen.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

---

Tiffany Arbuckle Lee, better-known by her stage name Plumb, is a songwriter, recording artist, performer and author. Plumb has sold more than 500,000 albums and over two million singles worldwide, co-penned songs for numerous other artists, including Michelle Branch, Mandisa, Mandy Moore, Jaci Velasquez, and Natalie Grant, and had music placed in many films and television shows. Originally signed as a Christian Contemporary Music (CCM) recording artist in 1997, Plumb is now known as well as or better in alternative rock, electronic dance music, and for the use of her music in film and television than she is in the CCM market.

Follow Plumb: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Twitter, Official Instagram

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.