Hi Friends, Are you a Prime Member? Have you checked out all the fantastic aspects of membership? It's not just about the Free 2-Day Shipping, although that is a GREAT reason to join. Prime Video is another benefit and there are thousands of movies and television shows from which to choose. This comes in handy at our house, especially for those times when the big kids are watching something and the younger ones want to watch something else or vice versa. The younger ones can hop on to amazon.com and check out the family friendly choices and they always find something to suite their preferences. Along the same lines, sometimes my boys do not want to watch whatever "girly" movie may be showing in the living room, so they take the laptop and find something more suitable to their preferences. It works great for our family! Check it out!
Hi friends, Life has been extra busy lately. Whew! I really am going to try to get back on here later tonight to give some updates. For now, though, enjoy worshipping with me while I get busy cooking supper (I love listening to music while I cook!). This is an incredible song I learned at the conference in New Jersey . . .
Disclosure: Many thanks to Propeller Consulting for providing a sample of this product in exchange for my honest review. I received no other compensation. All opinions are my own. Hi Friends, Today I get share about a new album from Plumb entitled EXHALE! I had never heard of Plumb, a.k.a. Tiffany Arbuckle Lee, before now, so I can't compare this album to her earlier releases. I really enjoy her voice and her message. Worship songs are so important to me, and I have a few new favourites after listening to this album. About PLUMB:
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.
About the album: 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.
Personal message from Plumb:
Hey everyone, I just wanted to take a minute to share a personal note about my new album EXHALE. The title comes from something my pastor said recently: “We do not exist for us….we exist to share the grace and love so freely given to us all….we breathe it in, it changes us, it makes us new and then we share it – we EXHALE.”
I breathed in a life-changing grace when God met me in my darkest place of brokenness after my husband left me, and He changed me and gave me hope. Then, He redeemed a dead marriage in a way only He could…through a miracle… and we remarried. I am SO THANKFUL for the redemption. SO THANKFUL for that change. SO THANKFUL for that grace. So I made this new record as one huge, gigantic love letter to the One who carried me during all of that. EXHALE represents the hope of the entire record…that we will each breathe in that grace and then exhale it. That is why we exist! My Thoughts: What an incredible testimony of Father bringing life from things that were dead! I think you will be encouraged by the message of hope, resurrection power and grace. There are 12 tracks on this album, most of which are co-written by Plumb. I am always happy to see original music on a new album. I will admit to loving that she covered a couple of songs, too, though, especially Brian and Katie Torwalt's "When You Walk Into The Room." I could listen over and over to that one. I also like the simplicity of "Faithful" and the release of worship on "Champion."
Check out the official video for the new song, "Smoke":
Giveaway: A big thank you to Propeller, LLC for providing a copy of BREATHE for one of my readers. 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. Open to residents of the US and Canada, age 18 or older. a Rafflecopter giveaway
You may remember Kirk Cameron from his role as "Mike Seaver" on Growing Pains back in the 80's or maybe as his role in Fireproof in 2008 or most recently from his film Monumental which came out last year. He's back with a new film: Unstoppable, Where is God in the Midst of Tragedy and Suffering? This film was only in theaters for two weeknights (September 24 and October 3, 2013) and grossed over $3.2 million dollars. In just two nights, this independent project sent a very loud message - audiences are longing for thought-provoking and meaningful entertainment. The film was inspired by the death of 15 year old Matthew Sandgren, son of James and Marci Sandgren, friends of the Cameron family. When a cancer diagnosis is given, when a child dies, when facing suffering, we may ask "where is God?" or "why didn't God heal him?" or other weighty questions. These are the questions Kirk asked, as well, which led him to go back to the very beginning to look at who God is, where man and woman began, where evil came into the picture. And this is where the documentary suddenly takes a surprising and beautiful twist. All of the sudden, we are taken back to the Garden of Eden. The cinematography is stunning. The portrayal of God creating Adam and Eve evoked quite a few "WOW"s from my crew and me. The serpent was portrayed very creatively (and yes, still creepily). I almost wish that there were more of these biblical scenes scattered throughout the film. Maybe there will be in future film projects. I appreciate the fresh and imaginative perspective. The music is also beautiful and suitable to the different scenes. We had never heard of Warren Barfield but will be looking up his other music, as we loved his song "The Time Is Now" featured on this DVD. I watched this film with four of my five children. We highly recommend it. (The scene portraying Cain and Abel is graphic and not suitable for young children.) I am thankful that Kirk didn't choose to just say "God is good. God is sovereign. We just have to accept the bad with the good," as is so prevalent in our American Christian culture. Yes, God is sovereign and good. Absolutely. But Kirk goes deeper. He goes to the beginning, back to the garden, to the dirt. He talks about how evil entered, man's response and responsibility, Noah, the tower of Babel, Jesus - where everything changed, and concludes that through going on this journey, he is more confident than ever that life wins over death, good wins over evil and light wins over darkness. Life is hard. Life is full of challenges, grief and suffering, but God and His character and promises and purposes are unstoppable. Take a look at the Unstoppable trailer:
Connect with the Unstoppable film: Facebook Twitter Website And thanks to the folks at FlyBy Promotions, I have the opportunity to give away one copy of the Unstoppable DVD to one of my readers! Giveaway Details: If you would like to enter this giveaway, please leave a comment telling me one thing about yourself (anything that is family friendly, of course!) or one way that you've struggled in your faith. If you do not have any kind of faith, that's okay, too, feel free to say so. This giveaway is open to anyone 13 or older in the US and CANADA. Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. Giveaway ends: Friday, February 14, 2014 11:59pm ET. Please leave your email address! Disclaimer:
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. Opinions are my very own.
And the winner, chosen by random.org, is Jennifer Blanton! Congratulations, Jennifer! Please contact me scarlettroyce(at)gmail.com to claim your giveaway prize! Thanks to all who entered, and for those of you who shared your hurts and challenges and pain, thank you and please know that I am praying for you. The Father loves you and wants to bring you comfort and peace.
This song has been such an encouragement to me, and it goes right along with the HOPE that the Father spoke over me at the beginning of the year. There are many things that can bring us down in this life. The enemy is out to terrorize our souls and the darkness grows ever darker, but Jesus is our HOPE! Rejoice in Him today! Enjoy this song of worship and declare HOPE and LIGHT and JOY over your life!
May the God of your hope so fill you with all joy and peace in believing [through the experience of your faith] that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound and be overflowing (bubbling over) with hope.
Romans 15:13
Happy September! And may you be overflowing with Hope for this day and the remainder of this year. xo
Wow! I just saw this last night and was moved to tears. I showed it to the kids just now and was moved to tears again. I have not heard anything so encouraging or inspiring in a long time!
God bless you, Mr. Guillory! You will be in my prayers.
I remember the first time I ever saw a Veggie Tales video (yes, it was a VHS tape back then). Emma was only 22 months old and we watched Where Is God When I'm Scared. Boy, that was a long time ago and how many Veggie Tales shows have I seen since then? Almost all of them, I guess. I even know quite a few of Larry's Silly Songs by heart. So when I had the chance to review the latest from Big Idea Entertainment, Inc., I jumped at it. The kids and I took some time one evening to watch The Little House That Stood: The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders, and we were not disappointed. The length is approximately 49 minutes. The stories are engaging, all of our favourite characters are back, the silly song made us laugh (and reminded us of one of our favourites . . . "I Love My lips") and the Biblical message is as solid as ever. We definitely recommend adding this one to your collection! Product Description: When the Three Little Pigs roll into Cabbageville looking to build some new houses, they meet one builder with a plan and two without a clue! Larry builds with hay, Mr. Lunt with bricks, but only Bob builds his houses on a firm foundation - following the wise plans from the "Master Builder's Handbook!" Will the Little Piggies make the right choices when it comes to building their houses - and their lives - on solid ground? Find out in this parable that shows kids when they follow God's blueprints, they can stand strong when the storms come!
Colouring pages: http://veggietales.com/littlehouse/activities/ Discussion guide: http://www.veggietales.com/littlehouse/images/characters/discussionguide.pdf Giveaway: This DVD will be released Tuesday, March 5, and I have one copy of The Little House That Stood to giveaway to one of my readers. Please leave a comment telling me if you are a Veggie Tales fan and one of your favourite Veggie Tales titles. If you've never seen one, no worries, just say so. Please leave your email address so that I have a way to contact you, if you win. Giveaway is open to US and Canada and will close March 8, 2013 at 11:59pm ET.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
I am playing it over and over. The kids and I are singing it over and over.
God, we look to You.
Why are you cast down, O my inner self? And why should you moan over meandbe disquieted within me? Hope in Godandwait expectantly for Him, for I shall yet praise Him, Who is the help of my countenance, and my God. Psalm 42:11
O our God, will You not exercise judgment upon them? For we have no might to stand against this great company that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon You. 2 Chronicles 20:12
Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terrorandbe dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthenandharden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you upandretain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightnessand justice. Isaiah 41:10
For I the Lord your God hold your right hand; I am the Lord, Who says to you, Fear not; I will help you! Isaiah 41:13
If you have a child in high school who is planning to go to university, you may want to know about College Common Sense. My Emma, who is in grade 11, and I were given the Going to College and Paying for it Online Video and Workbook for this review. This product is suitable for ages 6-18. College Common Sense is a website that was created by Denise Ames, a financial aid counselor at a university in Texas. She has experience as a student, a parent, and, of course, as a professional who spends her time helping others find money for their studies and life while in university. Denise actually recommends starting the financial aid process for your children as young as age 6, as there are apparently scholarships available for that age. For the purpose of this review, I used the material with Emma only. In the Going to College and Paying for it series, there were six online videos to watch. The titles include: I - The Big Picture II - How Financial Aid Works III - All About The Free Money IV - The System That Works V - You In The Process VI - Put It All Together For each video, there are corresponding workbook pages in PDF file form to print out and look over while listening to the videos. It was suggested that I watch the videos first and then have my student watch them and go over the lessons or assignments. We started it this way but found that for our situation (only one computer) and time restraints, it was better for Emma and I to just watch together. Each video is between 10 and 25 minutes long. There are approximately 34 pages to print, with a few additional ones, such as the The Campus Visit. You can spiral bind these pages, put them in a 3 ring binder or put them in a file folder, which is what we have done for now. Here is an example of one of the pages Denise has provided in her materials. This one is the College Cost Worksheet:
We learned so much from Denise's experience and expertise. We found out about several resources we had never heard of, including College Navigator, where you can enter your zip code to find what higher learning institutions are close to your home or in your state. We learned new vocabulary, i.e. FAFSA, EFC and COA. We learned that there is an astounding number of scholarships out there (40 million!) and how to find the ones that would work for us. Denise has a very well-thought out and organized strategy for making a scholarship notebook. It would work for a high school student to organize his/her scholarship applications, and could carry over after university, if that student was then looking at either job applications or an additional degree. I like the practical aspect of the scholarship notebook very much. For us personally, we are still seeking God's will for Emma's future. She has several interests, talents and desires. Maybe we have an odd perspective, but we do not necessarily believe that college is the one and only way to steer our children in their respective futures. We are certainly not opposed to them going to university and are excited to see what God has planned for them, but if He does not have university for them, either right after high school or at all, that is also fine with us. There are so many avenues that He could lead them down and we want to help guide and pray with and encourage our children to follow Him, no matter where that leads. Emma has been in contact with two universities and we had actually planned to visit one during this review period, but it ended up being on a Saturday when Bob was scheduled to work. We had to cancel the campus visit due to having no one to care for my other children, but we will probably reschedule at some point. Emma is exploring schools even though we are not sure that is the route we will go immediately following high school. At this point, we are open to anything. Having said that, if we believe our children, starting with Emma, are on a path that includes university, we will certainly make use of College Common Sense and all the resources that Denise has to offer. I appreciate all of her hard work in setting up the website and filming the videos. I learned a great deal and will recommend this to all my family and friends, homeschooling or not, who need help in finding financial aid for their children. It is a great resource!
Going to College and Paying for it DVD & Workbook: $50 + $5 shipping and handling Going to College and Paying for it Online Video & Workbook: $25 for 12-month log in access Sign up for Denise's Free Lesson Plans. Sign up for Denise's Free Monthly Newsletter. Connect with Denise on Facebook and Twitter.
Disclaimer:I received a free copy of this product through the Schoolhouse Review Crew in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations.
At 3:30 am this past Monday, Inauguration Day, I started meeting and gathering with hundreds of colleagues from across the country to pray for our nation and the inauguration specifically. I have three brief highlights I want to share.
1. Native Americans – In a humbling and profound act of repentance and forgiveness, the descendants of the tribes who owned and settled the land before it became Washington D.C., officially forgave our English ancestors for mistreating and displacing their forefathers and “welcomed” everyone else to their original native land.
2. The Voyage of the St. Louis – In 1939 the United States refused 900+ Jewish refugees from Europe who sailed on this ship seeking asylum in our country and were waiting just off the Florida coast. We publicly repented and asked forgiveness this week from our Jewish friends who were in attendance.
3.Keynote speaker was Jonathan Cahn, author of The Harbinger. He gave a clarion call and urgent message of repentance for the church and the nation in light of the cloud of judgment that has already started.
As always, thanks for your partnership in helping us mobilize our country to prayer and repentance. It is a privilege to be here in the nation’s capital.
Since we're back in the States, we've been concentrating a great deal on American history this year. When I showed my children this video in order to learn the state capitals, well, I saw quite a bit of eye-rolling...
I can't really blame them, can I?
Thanks to a tweet by Molly last week, I found a more interesting and more modern state capitals song. I think this one will go over much better! Very cool!!!
Kudos to Marbles The Brain Store for this much more relate-able (ooh, is that a word???) lesson in learning the state capitals! It's a hit!
