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CD Review and Giveaway: All In by Matthew West

Matthew West 's brand new album " All In " is releasing today! This album is different than his other albums. In this album, Matthew West, a gifted musician, singer-songwriter, and story-teller, shares lots of his own personal stories. The listeners will get to know better who he is and the God he lives for. This album will inspire and challenge you to go all in with your faith, family, and community. " These songs are written in the hopes that they will be arrows straight to your hearts reminding you that the goal is to reach the end with no regrets. " (Matthew West) Below is the list of songs: 1. All In 2. Broken Things 3. Mercy Is A Song 4. Amen 5. The Sound of A Life Changing 6. Something Greater 7. Jesus & You 8. The Beautiful Things We Miss 9. 1 Song 10. Power Love Sound Mind 11. Never Ever Give Up 12. Dream Again 13. Becoming Me 14. You Are Known All In is a song of resolution to surrender all to Jesus and to be fully devoted ...

Book Review: The Mediterranean Love Plan by Stephen & Misty Arterburn with Becky Johnson

I think we can all agree that marriage takes work. But some people forget that it can and should be lots of fun, too! Even a happy marriage (like mine) can benefit from getting a refresher course in passion every now and then. I love this unique & inspiring book and eat it up. The Mediterranean Love Plan is unlike other marriage books. The authors (husband and wife) share 7 secrets to life-long passion in marriage and how these secrets are regularly practiced in the Mediterranean cultures/countries like Italy, Spain, France, Greece, and Israel. My husband and I are pretty romantic and playful. We have done several things mentioned in the book but I still found some fantastic, romantic ideas that I can't wait to apply. The book aims to help married couples enhance the joy of living and deepen the intimacy in their marriage. I like and appreciate the authors' candidness as they share their own experiences and thoughts on sex, food, fun, faith, beauty, creativity, health, a...

A Wonder-Filled Week of Family Vacation

Only one of five members in our family is a planner (our daughter). I can plan but I usually don't unless it's necessary. When it comes to a family vacation, planning seems necessary so I planned a little here and there and made our packing list two days before our departure. However, my husband is extremely spontaneous (he makes life more exciting :)). In a way, he literally walked by faith step by step. He did not make any hotel reservations (very hard to find availability in summer) or ferry reservations until a day or so before arrival at each destination. God has been so good and gracious to us. We're truly grateful for His provision and protection throughout the whole trip! Thanks to Annette (Eric's sister), we slept 3 nights at her place while we were in Washington and she was our tour guide in Seattle. Thursday, Aug. 10: Olympic National Park : Quinault River-Pony Bridge (5 mile hike on Graves Creek trail), Lake Quinault, Stayed the night in Ocean Shores ...

CD Review and Giveaway: Every Mile Mattered by Nichole Nordeman

The giveaway winner was randomly chosen using random.org. The winner is Mandy Bamford. Congratulations! Nichole Nordeman 's new album, Every Mile Mattered , is now available in stores. Nichole Nordeman  is a gifted song writer and she has a beautiful voice.  This new album is filled with reflective songs from her heart. They tell stories of her life's journey with raw emotions and with gratitude to God. Below is the list of songs. 1. Every Mile Mattered 2. You're Here 3. Dear Me 4. No Longer 5. Lean 6. Hush, Hush 7. Listen To Your Life 8. Beautiful Day 9. Sound of Surviving 10. Anywhere We Are 11. Slow Down (feat. Pepper Ingram) Every Mile Mattered is a meaningful song that reminds us to let go of the past and not let our past mistakes and/or regrets define us but to rely on God's mercy and grace, instead. You're Here is a comforting & encouraging song about God's presence that makes all the difference in the world. Dear Me is a letter t...

Book Review: Israel--God's Heart: Landscapes and Legacy of Israel

Israel is one of the countries I've always wanted to visit. Photography is one of my hobbies. Therefore, I really enjoyed reviewing this book. Ron Gafni's aerial photography is remarkable. Kathleen Barrett's Biblical narratives are insightful. In this book, the Holy Land's ancient landscapes are beautifully captured while its legacy of God's redemptive love story is clearly told. It is indeed a rare treat for anyone to be able to experience Israel from a bird's eye view. It offers a unique perspective. The book is divided into five sections: Beloved Jerusalem, Divine Design, Landscapes of History, Marvels of Modern Israel, and Salt of the Earth--The Dead Sea. Each of the color photographs has a caption describing location and interesting fact. You will see photos of historical landmarks, birds, wildlife, flowers, landscapes, modern life, and more. Some of my favorites are rocks formation at the Mediterranean Sea, the Dead Sea, Dead Sea sinkholes filled with...

Book Review: The Good Book by Deron Spoo

The best and greatest book in the world is the Bible (God's Word)! It's definitely life-changing! For new Christians, it can be daunting to read and understand the Bible. Often they feel overwhelmed and don't know where they should start. The Good Book by Deron Spoo is an excellent book that gives readers 40 highlights from the Bible. Hopefully, it will encourage and motivate readers to read the rest of the Bible. Even for those who have read the Bible regularly for years, it offers fresh insights and fuels the passion and appreciation for God's love letter even more. The book is divided into 8 main sections: In the Beginning, God Is Good When Life Gets Messy, God Is Big, Tough Love; Troubled Times, Jesus Has Just Entered the Building, Jesus Won't Leave Us as We Are, Following Jesus, and God's Message for You. There are five chapters in each section. Though I am familiar with all 40 chapters (half from the Old Testament and half from the New Testament...

Book Review: The Joy of Letting Go by Vicki Caruana

As a mother of three who are 23 (about to graduate from college), 18 (working and deciding whether to go to college), and 15 (homeschooling), I have been experiencing both the joy and the anxiety of letting go. I want to help my children spread their wings and soar successfully in this wide world. Yet sometimes I don't want them to grow up too fast or too independent. This book aims to help ease the letting go process so that it will be not only effective but also enjoyable. Each of the 52 devotional readings begins with an insightful quote and ends with Thought Poke (including great questions for reflection), and a relevant Bible verse. Each devotional reading is short and concise. The author offers valuable lessons from her own personal experiences and practical advice. The Joy of Letting Go  helps parents be prepared mentally and emotionally as they equip their children for independence and adjust themselves to changes. It's an easy, encouraging read! " Yo...