Music Monday: {My Delight is in You} by Christy Nockels

Christy Nockels is one of my favorite Christian artists.  Her album, Into the Glorious, is one of my all-time favorites, and if you haven't added it to your worship collection, I highly recommend it!  Her voice is amazingly beautiful, and she has such a powerful anointing.  I can't say enough good things about it!

Today's video showcases the song, My Delight is in You, from the Passion 2013 album, Let the Future Begin.

It's amazing, powerful worship,  and I pray that it blesses you!  Hope you each have a blessed week ahead.  Hugs, Michelle

***Even though the video says Here I am (Draw me Close), the song is actually called, My Delight is in You.  It's track 12 on the CD pictured below.***

My delight is in You, Lord

On Your word I set my heart 

You are peace, You are calm for my restless soul 

You light my way through the dark 

I want to know you even more

Holiness is my desire

Purify, burn in me, come and make me clean

Refine me in Your fire.

{Happy Monday}

Hello, sweet friends!  I'm sorry I don't have a Music Monday post today; hopefully next week.  I pray that you're doing well, and that your Monday is off to a great start!  : )

Enjoy your week, and be blessed!  Love, Michelle

Photo Credit: Pinterest

{Taylor's Gift}

I'm currently reading Taylor's Gift, and I must say it's an incredible story.  I won't go into too much detail now, since I'll be posting a review when I'm finished with the book.  For those that haven't heard of Taylor's story, I wanted to get the word out there, since April is National Donate Life Month.

Read on to find out more information about Taylor's Gift from Taylorsgift.org.

Taylor lived her life with joy and brought happiness to all who knew her. The world lost a vibrant and gifted young person on March 15, 2010, when a tragic skiing accident changed everything for the Storch family while vacationing in Colorado. After Taylor’s parents were told that Taylor would not survive, they made a choice—a prayerful choice they knew their daughter would want.
They agreed to let Taylor give the gift of life through organ donation. Although their grief is immeasurable, the Storch family has been transformed by the hope and happiness that have been restored to other families whose loved ones have been saved by Taylor’s organs.
Taylor’s organs went to a number of different people in need: her heart to a 39-year-old mother of two in Arizona; her pancreas and one kidney to a 49-year-old husband and father in Colorado; her other kidney to a 33-year-old man in Colorado; her corneas and liver changed two other lives in other parts of the country. Taylor’s Gift Foundation was created to honor Taylor’s many talents and gifts, and especially her ultimate gift: life for others.
Although her life ended too soon, her spirit lives on. Taylor’s Gift strives to increase organ donation through its mission to Regift Life, Renew Health and Restore Families.  Taylor’s life and her passing have already inspired thousands of people from around the world to become organ donors themselves. Taylor was able to give the gift of life to a few and in turn, impacting many who will need it in the future.

Find out more about the Storch Family's courageous story, and see how you can become an organ donor.  Be sure to visit www.taylorsgift.org

**Available April 2013 by Revell Publishers**

Music Monday: {Lord, I Need You} by Matt Maher featuring Audrey Assad

Hello, friends!  Praying this day finds you doing well, and resting in His presence.  I don't know about you, but last week was "one of those weeks."  Oh.  My.  You know the kind where you feel especially worn out.  The kind of week where you've been pulled in so many different directions, it's as if you're a piece of salt water taffy that's about to SNAP!  Yes, that kind of week.  Whether it's too many errands, too many demands from the kids, or simply too much drama -- we can all relate to that feeling of being stretched to our limit. 

I heard this song on the radio last week at just the perfect time.  I was feeling weary, worn out, and disappointed in myself for how I'd handled a few situations.  This song just seemed to break me, right in that moment.  An overwhelming feeling came upon me, as if I'd come right into His presence.  The words spoke straight to my heart, and brought my focus back to where it needed to be.  I can't do this thing called life on my own, and I'm guilty of letting myself fall away from Him.

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.  2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV

Lord, I ask for a fresh filling of your Holy Spirit.  I pray that I would never get so distracted by the busy craziness of life, that I would fall away from a close relationship with You.  Lord, I need you, and if someone is struggling with something today, I pray that this song would minister to them wherever they are.  In Jesus' name I pray.  Amen.

Music Monday: {Finally Home} by Kerrie Roberts + New Release Tuesday Review

Kerrie Roberts brand-new album released on April 2, 2013!  Time for the Show has been playing on repeat for the past week here at my house, and to sum it up in one word . . . AMAZING!  I love it, and the following review from New Release Tuesday says it so much better than I could, so please read on, and find the lyric video down below for Kerrie's single, Finally Home.  It's an awesome song!  Enjoy and be blessed!

kevindavis's Music and Book Reviews
Kerrie Roberts [Time For The Show] | Posted March 26, 2013 Staff Reviewer

Florida native Kerrie Roberts has been listed alongside power vocalists including Kelly Clarkson and Natalie Grant: unassuming girl, huge voice. Memorable and dynamic yet intimate. Kerrie is uniquely emotive and soulful. With the release of her sophomore album, Time for the Show, Kerrie addresses themes of empowerment, strength, encouragement and joy delivered on waves of vibrant and contagious music ranging from high-energy pop to signature ballads beautifully expressed through tender, undeniable piano/vocal performances.  This album Includes the powerful single "Finally Home" plus "Masterpiece," "What Are You Afraid Of," and more.
“Time for the Show” is the best opening track of any album this year, rivaling “Rolling in the Deep” by Adele as an opener that sets the pace for an album. It has that same rollicking tempo and provides insight into Kerrie’s mindset and submission to God as a believer, especially in the hooky chorus where Kerrie emotionally cries out to God, “It’s time for the show, turn up your light, it’s time for the show, let it shine, because you know who you are and know Who your heart belongs to, they need to know, this perfect love, it comes through us, don’t wait another minute let’s go, it’s time for the show.”  She clearly loves our Lord and Savior Jesus with all of her heart and wants to celebrate that fact with every song. In her great new EDM song “Sing,” Roberts belts out, "And I sing out loud, no I won’t be quiet, I sing and shout, I can not be silent, You put the music in my heart, I’m screamin’ now, I feel like jumpin’ feel like dancin’ for You now, can’t keep this Spirit under lock and key, I need to set it free, no I won’t be quiet I won’t be silent now!" I sing that line along with Kerrie’s gorgeous and powerful voice at the top of my lungs and I find it so uplifting in this troubling time where the earth is groaning, the economy is failing and the only thing that matters is to “sing Praise our God, praise our God, let His praise be heard.” Amen to that!

"What Are You Afraid Of" includes the personal and confessional lyrics “You scream at the top of your lungs, when no one’s listening, being the basket case over anything, giving your whole world for love and the boy says no, so what are you afraid of, show ‘em what you’re made of, the shadows that you’re scared of, are usually your own, they’re not the great unknown, you don’t have to wonder, you’re not going under, Grace has got your covered, God is in control, go on and let it go, what are you afraid of?”Amen! I’ll admit that although I’m normally drawn to the Brit-pop, alternative rock and singer-songwriter genres, these two ultra-catchy electronic dance-pop songs have won me over to that musical style, mostly due to the personal lyrics. The mainstream music charts have been dominated by Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Britney Spears and others who make the subject matter of their songs as edgy as possible to draw in listeners. Unfortunately as a father of three young daughters who love dance-pop style music, there haven’t been many edifying songs I can offer as wholesome alternatives to those artists, until now. I literally dance in my chair, my car, or while I’m walking around when I play these incredible songs. Electronic pop music has made a big mark on the music scene and Kerrie brings a vocal sincerity to these ultra-catchy pop songs which could easily be featured in mainstream music alongside those top-selling mainstream artists. I’ve been enjoying the powerful and moving ballad “Finally Home” since the single released and from the moment I first heard the song, I’ve been impressed by Kerrie’s emotive and strong vocals. I hear an even deeper yearning for God in the song and throughout this incredible album. Those opening tracks are the strongest of any album I’ve heard this year.
As if the beginning of the album isn’t impressive enough, Kerrie takes it up a notch vocally with the middle tracks, especially“Middle Of It All” and “Masterpiece.” “Middle Of It All” features Kerrie passionately praying directly to God these profound lyrics—“I’m afraid, but I’ll trust You, so I will run into the middle of it all, and I will come when my heart hears Your call, no I won’t hide behind the safety of the city walls…I will run into the middle of it all.” “Masterpiece” is a perfect pop song. I hang on every note of Kerrie’s compelling message—“You know Jesus holds your heart, He made you a work of art, You’re a masterpiece, even if you don’t believe…when I look at you I see, you’re a masterpiece.” This song challenges listeners to drop the masks we all wear to try to cover up our insecurities and lay them at the feet of Jesus and includes the encouraging lyrics “I wish you could picture you from Heaven’s view.” Kerrie clearly understands the Truth of Psalm 139:13-14—“For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.”
I love the passionate vocals and strong messages of the songs, especially "Not Real Yet" with the piercing and confessional chorus, "Say that You love me, tell me You want me, I want to believe it, hear it, I’m listening, wish I could see You, wish I could touch You, Lord I need You hear next to me, please remind me, help me feel it, it’s not real yet." The power ballad “In Your Sight” is totally inspiring and is a great reminder as Kerrie prays, “I will rest, knowing You are holding me, I believe You will never say goodbye, I close my eyes, unafraid of what I can not see, because I am always In Your sight.” We need to have that type of faith that Jesus describes in the Bible, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” Amen. “Wake Up” and“Like Jesus Loves” close out the themes of this album: Trusting God, loving Him and loving others as He loved us. All of the songs are catchy, exciting and worshipful. After listening to the album, I am stirred with compassion to love people as Jesus loves us.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Kerrie Roberts has the greatest voice wrapped around extremely hooky dub-step electronic dance musical arrangements I've heard this year. Her vocals are so strong and pure. Musically and lyrically, her album Time for the Show is brilliant. I feel like I'm eavesdropping on Kerrie's prayer time during many of these songs and as I get caught up listening to Kerrie's excellent vocals, I start praying along with her. My favorite albums all have that impact on me. This is one of my favorite albums of the year. Kerrie Roberts is my choice as "the voice" in Christian music. Time for the Show is a five star “Masterpiece” that brings me closer to God.

Music Monday: {Every Good Thing} by The Afters

Happy Music Monday!  I pray that you all had a blessed Easter, celebrating and rejoicing in the Resurrection of our Savior, and spending time with loved ones!

This new song by The Afters is uplifting, encouraging, and so UPBEAT!  Just makes you want to get up and dance!  As my daughter would say, "It's my jam!" :D

Whenever we turn on the TV or read the newspaper, tragedy and suffering seems to be at the forefront, but it's important not to focus too long on the darkness.  God has given us so many beautiful gifts, and there are so many things to be thankful for . . .  thank you, Lord, that you are the reason for every good thing! 

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.  James 1:17 (NIV)