Fruitbearers

Higher Vision Church is a vibrant, diverse church just outside of Los Angeles. For Your Kingdom is Higher Vision Worship 's debut album. I have a big collection of praise & worship CDs and I was glad to add For Your Kingdom to my collection.  Below is the list of songs: 1. (Continuum) 2. Higher 3. Freedom of Your Love 4. Worthy Is the Lamb 5. Trust In You 6. He Is Here 7. We Cry Holy 8. Set Our Hearts 9. For Your Kingdom 10. Hands Held High 11. Hallelujah 12. Near to the Broken 13. Broken the Chains I enjoyed listening to this CD. I felt like I was at a worship concert. Some of the songs are very upbeat while others are more mellow. Some of my favorite songs on this album are Higher , We Cry Holy , For Your Kingdom , Hallelujah , and Near to the Broken . Higher exalts God's Name with fun, clapping music. We Cry Holy  is a beautiful song that praises God's holiness and proclaims Jesus is our Strength. For Your Kingdom  (the title of this album)...

Since God is the One who designed marriage, it makes perfect sense that His Word (the Bible) is the best manual for marriage. In Your Marriage God's Way , the author offers a  thorough study of what God's Word says about marriage and roles of husbands and wives. The author, Scott LaPierre , is passionate about helping married couples experience joy in their marriage by obeying God's instructions. The book  covers important topics such as headship and submission, love (agape) and respect, beauty, intimacy, and more.  I appreciate all the Scripture references and the explanation of original Greek words. I find it helpful that the author discusses what respect looks like to a husband, what disrespect looks like to a husband, how we submit is as important as submitting, what submission does not mean, how a wife can make her husband's spiritual leadership easier, what you are to do if you are married to an unbeliever, how husbands and wives should respond  when...

As another year draws to an end, we reflect upon God's goodness and faithfulness through all its ups and downs.  This year has been a year of sorrow and celebration, loss and gain. On January 22nd,  my mother-in-law, Juanita went home to be with Jesus. Very unexpectedly. We visited her the night before and she was improving. We had her celebration of life on January 30th at City View Chapel. On March 3rd, we bought Juanita's home in Salem from her husband, Joe. Alyssa bought her first car (2006 blue Buick) from Joe for $2,350, which died on her shortly after she arrived in Texas (she left Oregon on Aug. 25th and arrived in Texas on Aug. 29th). On April 7th, during a wind storm, the Tree of Heaven in front of the garage fell on our red Toyota. Eric was standing there two minutes earlier. We're so grateful that God saved Eric's life! On April 8th, Josiah bought his first car (2000 green Ford Taurus) for $1,200. On May 13th, Alyssa received awards in the morning, had a d...

I like to check out new Christian music albums. I was glad for the opportunity to review a new CD, "A Girl Like Me" by Julie Elias . I had not heard of her before. Julie Elias was an actress (appearing on shows like "Grey's Anatomy" and "CSI: NY") and now she is a Christian singer and songwriter. She has a beautiful voice. She wrote all the songs on this album except three. She used her own personal experiences in her songs, hoping to share with others how God has worked in her life. Below is the list of songs: 1. Unchained 2. Only For Awhile 3. Awaken 4. A Girl Like Me 5. Alive 6. Forgive Me 7. Lost 8. Run Away 9. Here With Us 10. Wherever You Roam 11. A Wild Rose 12. In the Light I enjoyed listening to this CD. Some songs are catchy and some are soothing. All original songs are intentionally crafted to share stories that aim to encourage and inspire young women. Unchained is a song about freedom and transformation and a...

I love studying God's Word. I like using a variety of different Bible versions because they help me gain a better understanding of the Bible. I was excited to receive a  She Reads Truth  Bible  for review. It is a Poppy Linen hardcover. It is Christian Standard Bible (CSB) version. It may look plain on the outside but it is quite pretty and appealing on the inside. This Bible's key features are color-coded genre indicators, key verse arts, book introductions, maps, charts, reading plans (including supplementary passages for added context and deeper understanding), timelines, and devotionals. I'm a visual learner so I find maps and charts very helpful. I think it's great that "How to Read the Bible", "This is the Gospel", and "Introduction to the Christian Standard Bible" are included in the beginning of the book. In the back of the book, you will find a list of key verses, genre guide (color-coded), the Apostles' Creed, the Bible i...

1. I am thankful that " God works in me both to will and to act for His good pleasure ." (Philippians 2:13) Thank You, Lord, for fixing our electricity problems! 2. I am thankful that I am chosen, royal, holy, special (treasured), and called out of darkness into God's wonderful light (1 Peter 2:9). Thank You, Lord, for Your protection over Josiah! 3. I am thankful for God's mercy, love, compassion, and forgiveness. 4. I am thankful for God's Word and the Holy Spirit that leads, guides, encourages, teaches, nourishes, and comforts me. 5. I am thankful for childlike faith. I am thankful for God's provision. 6. I am thankful for my eyes, the gift of sight. I am thankful for restful sleep. 7. I am thankful that out of Christ's inexhaustible fullness, I receive...grace upon grace, blessing upon blessing, comfort upon comfort. 8. I am thankful for the blessings of abundant life and everlasting life. 9. I am thankful for heat/warmth, warm shelter....

World View: Seeking Grace and Truth in Our Common Life is a collection of columns which Marvin Olasky, as the Editor-in-Chief of World Magazine,  wrote for the magazine. He presents  Christian/ Biblical worldview on a wide variety of current world events and topics such as government role, abortion, racism, immigration, welfare, education, economics, environmentalism, tax, movies, marriage, and more.  The book is divided into 5 main sections: Basics, Changes, Institutions, Causes, and Conclusions. There are 10-13 articles/columns under each section.  These columns are short (only 2-3 pages long) but packed with Biblical wisdom and practical insights. The author  exemplifies how to confidently speak Biblical truths in love with grace, respect, and humility and to passionately live out conviction with integrity, mercy, and compassion. Today's culture keeps  challenging our faith. How do we effectively communicate about God, the Bible, and Biblical v...