Bart Millard, of MercyMe, recently released his new solo album, Hymned Again, in which he takes the old hymns and mixes them up with big band, soulful worship & jazz sounds.  It is totally unique and includes a duet with Vince Gill.  Millard unleashed his creativity in this project and seems to have had a lot of fun doing it.   Here’s another sample.  Watch his expressions while he’s playing!  My favorite song on the album is Victory in Jesus.  Enjoy!

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Valerie needs music more than food, air or water. She shares her passion in the music category on her blog “I Can Only Imagine.” She recently cut off all her hair, inspired by Edwin McCain, now the two often get mistaken for each other (maybe next time she’ll try the Bart Millard ‘do).

This book is at the top of my list of all-time favorite books for children.  Even as an adult, the unique glimpse it gives me of my Savior still brings tears to my eyes.

The Bronze Bow is a story of a young man’s journey from hatred and revenge, to Jesus and the pursuit of love. Daniel is a young Galilean whose father was crucified by the Romans.  His mother dies of grief and his sister is bound by the demons of fear and pain.  He flees a cruel master and joins a group of radicals hiding in the hills, plotting to avenge their wrongs upon their Roman rulers.  Then he meets Jesus and is touched to the quick by His message of love– even love for His enemies.

Elizabeth George Speare’s portrayal of Jesus in this book touches me deeply.  We become so used to reading about the Lord in the context of familiar Bible stories, that I think we sometimes miss the reality of who He really was.  We tend to compartmentalize the characteristics of Christ into some sort of “Other” category and forget that He was a real man, who really walked this earth among other men.  He actually said what He said about love, and He meant it.

I think it can be an epiphanal moment in a young person’s life to see a historical and literal Jesus portrayed in such a realistic and yet radical manner in the context of a believable story.

Ms. Speare seems to know The Savior well and to desire to share Him with her readers in an intimate way.  It is almost as though she is saying to us:

“Here, let me introduce you to my friend, Jesus. He has the answers.”

Only Love can bend a bow of bronze.

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Elisa reads, writes, crafts, brags about her babies and occasionally waxes eloquent about life and other important things at her blog, Herb of Grace.

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.”

Psalm 51:10

It’s almost Thanksgiving, and after that Advent and Christmas. You know what that means, don’t you?

Company is coming!

Some grandparents travel over the holidays. They’re the ones packing up and visiting.

Not us. We stay home and host our family and friends. It feels like all open house, all the time, and we love it.

Except for the cleaning.

Cleaning is not my strong suit. I do it for love, because I love my family and want them to be comfortable and stay healthy. Cleaning is a big part of comfort and health.

These past few years I’ve become aware of a different kind of cleaning I need to do before the holiday hostess season begins.

I need to clean up my heart.

Before our guests arrive I need to get busy, confess those attitudes that clutter up my heart. I need to ask God to search me and show me where I need to be swept clean.

I need to apply His cleansing Word to the dingy, grimy corners of my heart where I cherish resentment, nurse grudges, and hold onto old hurts.

Then I need to look at myself and others in the light of His forgiveness. I want to shine that light into every relationship I have, ask for forgiveness where I need to, and forgive others the same way I’ve been forgiven. I want to be free to love them without anything between us.

Swept clean and shining, I’ll be ready to welcome the people I love with a heart of hospitality. Our time together will be a fresh reminder of what family and friendship can be at their best. Without all that spiritual clutter, we’ll be free to have fun, to celebrate, to rejoice.

I’m so excited!  But first, please excuse me…

The cleaning is waiting!

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Holly cleans regularly for her family and friends, and sometimes even cooks for them! You can read more about her cleaning and cooking adventures at Grandma On Board.

As I mentioned in my last two posts, I have some music and a couple of books running around in my brain. Last night I finally found someone else who had read book #2. At last, someone to discuss it with!

Tell me, have you read The Shack?

I have to admit my initial resistance to reading the book. I’d read the raves; I’d also read the rants. Then a good friend, who had a long career in ministry, and who I trust as a mature woman of God, said, “Lisa. You really need to read this book.”

Nuff said.

I’ve never known the kind of sadness experienced by the main character, but the word lover in me sang for joy at the descriptions of a triune God who loves.

Who redeems.

Who will do anything to bring us back from the brink of whatever madness may hold us captive.

Who rejoices over our triumphs and weeps over our sorrows, just as we do.

IF.

If we are WILLING to hold His hand and walk with Him. That’s all it takes. As long as we take the first step in obedience, in willingness to “do life” with God, to experience Him, He will change us from the inside out.

Radical love can do that. It can turn your heart inside out and your world upside down. It can make a grown man turn cartwheels in fields of flowers for the sheer joy of it. In the Bible, that kind of love is called agape: perfect, unconditional love, the love modeled by God.

What has love done for you lately? What have you done for love?

Editor’s note:  Wanna buy the book for yourself or as a gift?  Blissfully Domestic has made it EASY by partnering with Amazon; click the image and you’ll be directed right to their online store!

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Lisa Reid writes about life, music, beads, friends, and anything else she can think of at her blog, Put It On The List.

The gut-wrenching sobs coming from her room made me slam shut the laptop and race in– despite my usual reluctance to give up my precious “naptime” alone/work/sanity time. I found her with her head buried under the pillow, shoulders shaking and feet kicking the mattress in agonies of despair.

Oh my word, I thought, what in the world happened??

She wouldn’t talk and I couldn’t find a scratch on her, so I just held her till she could choke out the words, “H-hhe diiiiied…” Whaaa? And then I noticed on the bedside table the book she had taken to bed:

Aaaah! Lightbulb moment! Quick, ditch historical accuracy and comfort the heartbroken child!

“Noooo, sweetie, he didn’t die.”

“He didn’t?” (hiccup, sniff, sob)

“No, honey, he didn’t. Did you finish the story?”

“Noooo, it was too saaad, he got stabbed and he diiiiiiied… (fresh sobs)”

“Sweetheart, he didn’t die, he went back to the Lady of the Lake and got healed and there’s a legend that says that someday, when England is in her hour of greatest need, King Arthur will return to rescue his beloved country”

“Really…?”

“Really.”

It never ceases to amaze me the efficacy with which myths and legends throughout the centuries have communicated ideals of nobility, and even the Gospel itself, across cultural and language barriers. I highly recommend this version of the legends of King Arthur. The language is simple enough for even a six-year-old reading on her own to be struck with the essential meat of these stories. That is, the nobility and heroism of a leader who dies (or doesn’t– not really) in defense of his people and will someday return to defend them once again!

The illustrations are an awesome mixture of animation and realism. Simply beautiful– perfect for young children through middle school.

What better way to start a conversation with your child about Christ’s sacrifice for us?

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Elisa reads, writes, crafts, brags about her babies and occasionally waxes eloquent about life and other important stuff at her personal blog, Herb of Grace.