Review - Group 1 Crew's Fearless

Last fall Group1Crew had some changes within their group. Pablo left the group to spend more time with family. Manny and Blanca continued forward with their music fearlessly. Due to this personnel change Group 1 Crew’s music focused on Manny and Blanca’s strengths.  The song “He said” featuring Chris August is an excellent example. They are true to their hip hop beats while fusing with some contemporary melodies. I think that the fusion is a great idea that works. Fans of tobyMac will greatly enjoy this new Group 1 Crew sound. If you are a fan of their more hip hop dance songs, not to worry they still have some of those songs on this album too.

I have to admit that I am not a huge fan of a synthesizer. I agree that it is really fun to use, but I am in some ways really old school purist. That being said, the project has almost two different audiences in mind, the synthesized dance people and the hip hop fused contemporary songs people. You are never bored when listening to the project.

One recommendation the I have for you is when first listening to this new album approach it openly and enjoy the music as what it is and not compare it to how different they had sounded with Pablo. I did not do this the first time and I missed out on some really great new music. I did not make the same mistake twice. I really enjoyed the music the second time through. It is defiantly true when they say that different doesn’t mean less. They are still Group 1 Crew, but different.

TobyMac - Eye On It

This newest project by TobyMac, Eye On It, brings his music forward with a nod to the past. I found this album very reminiscent to Portable Sounds with one song, "Family" very similar in the sound vibe to "City on Our Knees" from Tonight album. Eye on It as a whole take on a techno feel of Owl City with the hip hop jibe of GROUP1CREW. Blanca from GROUP1CREW is featured on the album in one song. For the first time that I am aware of, the Christian music giant, TobyMac, teams up with Christian Rap's biggest musician, Lecrae. They come together in this great song called "Forgiveness." I have always enjoyed when two different artists come together and compliment each others sounds. The mixture of the hip hop, rap, and contemporary sounds makes the lyrics of that song all the more powerful.

The song "Thankful for You" is one where I would love to sit down with TobyMac and ask him questions. The song is one of gratitude to both God and those who like his music. The questions that I would ask would be on his journey from before DC Talk to where he is now.

Definitely, a quality album as to be expected from TobyMac with many great songs on it.

Here is me without you ....

Sanctus Real's Matt Hammitt's Solo Album

I am a fan of the group Sanctus Real. Their most recent album Pieces of a Real Heart is an amazing album that really characterizes where the individuals and the group as a whole are at in life. With songs like "Lead Me" and "Forgiven," this album was so encouraging. That being said I was excited to hear that the lead singer and songwriter, Matt Hammitt, was putting together a solo record. Recently with online video resources, us music lovers can hear the stories behind the different songs. The stories behind the different songs on Pieces of a Real Heart were so touching and deep. Matt was the main speaker for the different stories, so you can get the feeling of knowing him personally.
      Last year Matt's family was challenged with the unknown future of their third baby. This album was Matt's out pouring of his struggles. All I can think is that God gives us talents and when we use them for his glory, we find healing. Healing for us and for others. As a person who works in music, I see this as true. Many times a musician will write a song out of their sadness, and it in return helps many others. Like with Steven Curtis Chapman's Beauty Will Rise, he wrote that album after the heartache of losing his little girl. Like with Laura Story and her song "Blessings." Music is truly the language of the soul, where sometimes it is hard for us to find the right words.  Thankfully our Heavenly Father provides gifted individuals with songwriting, like Matt Hammitt.



"All of Me" from Ryan Lynch on Vimeo.

Hillsong United coming to Grand Rapids

Don't Miss Hillsong UNITED coming to Grand Rapids 

August 15, 2011 at the Van Andel Arena. 

If you want more information: visit the Van Andel Arena website 

vanandel.arenacenter.org or call 1-866-614-4183 

What began as a bunch of teenagers playing music as a local church youth band, now Hillsong UNITED travels around the world playing to tens of thousands of different nations, cultures and challenges. As UNITED crisscross the globe they are confronted and ultimately overwhelmed by the stories of remarkable individuals facing injustice and the uncomfortable paradox of being united in worship yet divided in circumstance. If their entire focus is directed only to what happens on stage, then maybe they have missed the point altogether. Filmed over a period of 2 years, We're All In This Together follows the worship band, Hillsong UNITED, as they travel across 6 continents 42 nations and 93 cities in a cross-cultural journey of music, animation, interviews and live action documentary as they realize every story of hope, love, loss and sacrifice ultimately points to the one story. We're All In This Together includes the full 2 hour film documentary, 5 Hillsong UNITED music videos, plus a bonus CD of 10 Hillsong UNITED songs. 
        I have found this film heart moving and very relevant to what our world is going through today. While the film is geared toward teens and young adults, like their music, the message has a wider range of relevance and appeal. I have done some traveling to different parts of the world like Canada, Mexico, Ukraine, Romania, and Japan; but some of my travels have also been closer to home like from the large inter-cities to the small rural hamlets of our continent. There are many opportunities for the youth today to travel outside their comfortable bubbles and experience a different way and persecutive in living life. However, there are always those who don't or can't go for a number of reasons. This music and this DVD gives an opportunity to connect with people who are different and maybe far away geographically. Yet we can realize that there are similarities that connects us all like one large global family, and the sense that we are all in this together. 

The I Heart Revolution: "We're all in this together" AUS/NZ/SA Premiere from Hillsong United on Vimeo.

10000 Reasons - Matt Redman - A Review

Matt Redman is passionate as he leads the listener in a worship experience. The album begins right away with energy. "We are Free" is a song that invites the listener not to remain still with foot tapping beats and awesome melodies. His talent of singing and song writing is displayed as he successfully joins the concept of contemporary and classic worship music. The song "Holy" is an excellent example of this with a classical piano piece dominate throughout the song, and then the contemporary drums, sweet bass guitar, and electric guitars for a full chorus sound. The title song "10000 Reasons" with the swell and ebb of musical melody is a simple song yet profound in its Biblical lyrics.

Redman and friends create songs can be both emotionally based, like a praise chorus and theologically or intellectually based like a hymn. Evidence that proves this is answered by the single question, in what type or denomination do we find people singing his songs? The answer is all, traditional and contemporary; Baptist and Pentecostal; small and large. In my opinion, God has given him an amazing talent to lead others in worship. Also I believe that this is one of his best albums that he has ever made. It has a quality to it that I can't find the words to describe, but maybe because it interacts with the listener so much that description becomes more relative then definitive. 
This album is for any fans of Hillsong, Chris Tomlin, and Jesus Culture.

All Things Bright and Beautiful by Owl City - A Review

Owl City is Adam Young...and friends


      With great song writing and bright composing, the music fits together "beautifully." What I have always enjoyed about Owl Cit is that it is electronica without sounding repetitive and is from "real" instruments like the violin, cello, vibraphone, and hand claps as performed on various songs. The songs have high and low rhythms that dance with the words sung.
      All Things Bright and Beautiful poses such a happy and "bright" sound; however, the subject matter is kinda melancholy and sober like the song "Galaxies." This song is a tribute to the tragedy of the Challenger explosion. This album is one of those occasions when just listening to the radio singles is a real shame. The track before "Galaxies" is called "January 28, 1986," and features a clip of the Ronald Reagon's speech to honor the crew of the Challenger. Now with the the album being called All Things Bright and Beautiful, but  most of the subject matter is of a tragic nature, one wonders if there is a deeper meaning to this pairing of title and song. Can tragedy be beautiful? Can humans cling to the hope of a brighter day after the dark of a passing storm? The song "Alligator Sky" is about two guys leaving behind a apocalyptic Earth for a new life elsewhere. The song could be sad; however, here the leaving of Earth is shown in a prespective that is opitmistic and adventurous. Now one should not worry, there is one fun light romantic song on the album called "Honey and Bees." It is such sweet love song.
      Adam Young lives in Minnesota were it snows about 6 months of the year and only reaches 90 F about 5 times in the 3 months of the summer. Where during t winter months, one could go days without seeing the sun, and when you see the sun it is only between the hours of 8:30am till 4:30pm. So Adam to be able to create such  bright and beautiful art, this Michigander removes her mittens, and then gloves, and applauds you. Your music is like the sun on a cold January day.

The Road of Tricia Brock

If one likes the softer songs of Superchick and the worship music of Meredith Andrew, Laura Story, or the modern hymns of Keith and Kristyn Getty, then one will love the worship music of Tricia Brock.

Tricia is the lead singer of Superchick and has been for the last 13 years. This is her first solo album.
      "I love singing rock and always will. But going back to my roots, I grew up in a church where hymns were the worship norm, and I still have a love for them! For the reverance in the lyrics and the way they were written, not being afraid of keeping the thees and thous. There was just something special to me about How Great Thou Art, Amazing Grace, Leaning On the Everlasting Arms...so I wanted to bring that love into this album. More importantly I wanted lyrically to reflect my heart of worship and the place I find myself in my journey with God, my road to Holiness."


The Road is a reflection of the journey Tricia and her husband Nick have been travelling for the last few years. It hasn't been an easy path they found themselves on. They have been walking through an ongoing battle with cancer with Nick's mom, almost lost Tricia's mom to a heart attack 2 years ago, have had health scares of their own, all leading up to the start of the album. Next is her voice describing a part of her life's journey.
      "Anyone who has  walked through a wilderness of your own will know where I was last year. I just felt like we couldn't handle another disappointment, another closed door, another year of feeling like we had unanswered prayers. Not only us, but all around us we have family and friends affected by the economy, losing jobs, seeing dreams lost, trudging though this battle of their faith. And we have seen them make it through. It seems that sometimes God allows times where we don't see Him, we don't feel Him, we ask the hard questions...but always He has rescued us just in time. This album was my way of saying I will worship Him when I don't have all the answers, when I haven't seen my dreams fulfilled, when I might feel like there is no song left to sing. But I still believe He will rescue, He will heal what is broken in all of us, He will be faithful to make our lives what He knows they can be.
      So this winter we were mostly done and working on the final vocals for the album, I found out that I was pregnant, right around Christmas and couldn't have been happier. It felt like this baby was kind of an answer to so many prayers for so long, and my dream of being a mom was finally here. And then in January I found out I had lost the baby around 5 weeks. Finishing the record was one of the hardest thing I have ever done. I have gone through so many stages of dealing with the hardest loss I have ever known. I still have days where it is hard to accept and I am angry and confused with God. But I was able to look back at songs we had written months before and see that God knew. He knew the songs I would need to sing that would breathe some peace and some hope back into me. And I guess the comfort in that is that He has never left me. He sees our tears and our sorrows, and without answers to all my questions I just believe that one day it will make sense and that He will redeem all that was lost."


I hope that you will enjoy the album as I have enjoyed it. There is a real honest tone to the songs that pulls at the soul. Here is her first of many singles...

Swimming with Dolphins - A Review

If you like Owl City, you will also like Swimming with Dolphins. It is the same techno pop sound that Owl City made famous, but it also has some unique components to it.  This is not surprising, because Adam Young of Owl City produced Swimming with Dolphins. Although Swimming with dolphins hails from the chilly climate of Minnesota. Front man, Austin Tofte has created a sound with their music that is surprisingly war and upbeat. One can't help but thing of sunshine while listening to Swimming with Dolphins, but maybe this has to do with the fact that I'm from Michigan. 
      The music has a very youthful sound to it. Some of the sounds remind me of the music of the 80's, and some of the music reminds me of video games of my youth. Yay Mario Brothers! The overall inspiration for the album, however, came from the ocean and favorite childhood memories of America's largest lake (the Great Lakes). So this is some definitely music to play by the pool or lay out to. So smile and enjoy so easy listening music.

Lovewell Live in Concert - A Review

The Lovewell Live in Concert was an excellent way to end one's weekend. Natalie Grant, Brandon Heath, and the guys of MercyMe gave an great crowd interacting preformance with a great light show that didn't need a lot of smoke (which is never good for pictures). I should apologize right now if this review seems bias toward Brandon Heath, but that is due to the fact that he is one of my favorite contemporary Christian artists.


Natalie Grant was golden with her talented vocal range. The control that she has has also been impressive. What was interesting with her section was her song choices. She is a self proclaimed Tweeter Geek, and she had asked her followers to request what songs they would like to hear. I agree with Natalie when she said that the stories received with the song requests make the song more than just about a song. It is about the message of Jesus within the songs that have the power to touch someone's heart and life. This song has a story that was shared. Parents had written to Natalie and said that this song helped them deal with the sudden lost of their little child do to an accident.

Brandon Heath knows how to put on a great show with just enough new mixed with classics songs and sharing words with his audience without sounding preachy. YAY! The only sad news that I have to share is that my video of Brandon didn't turn out so well (the camera couldn't handle the bass). Brandon sang songs from his new album of "Stolen," "Leaving Eden," "Your Love," and "Light in Me." He also sang amazing songs from his two previous albums of "Love Never Fails," "Give Me Your Eyes," and "I'm Not Who I Was." It was some great times of singing along, and Brandon kept the crowd encaged through a couple of different ways. As when he jumped up and then down from a big black box and walking into the audience by walking on chairs. There was this one little boy who didn't release that Brandon had left the stage until he looked up and Brandon was right in front of him. The little boy was so excited. It was cute. I thought the way in which Brandon related with the crowd was sweet. He told us of how he rode his Harley to Yesturdog, a famous hot dog place in Grand Rapids, and he has a connection with Youth Unlimited that headquarters in Grand Rapids. Needless to say the crowd loved him.

MercyMe is a band that loves the audience to participate, and I can see their logic. It is more fun to participate in life than to just watch from the sidelines. MercyMe had the audience participate in a number of ways. One was singing along and pointing your finger as a motion. There was one point in which Bart Millard had asked the audience to dance with him. He put it like this, "I grew up Southern Baptist, where one person dancing is a sinner, but where many people are dancing is choreography." I don't know about you, but I wish that I used that line in my conservative Christian high school. They had done a rock song from the 80s that has been their warm-up song for many years (though now I forget the song), but it was interesting with the different generations that either knew or didn't know the song. Being that MercyMe is over ten years old, there was many choice songs that they used. Some that I was happy to hear again. One of my favorite parts was when the confetti exploded over us. It was a great concert well deserving of the encore that it received.

Laura Story's Blessings - A Review

This sophomore album of Laura Story is of a reflective melodious beauty. The music she composes is a delightful balance between smooth praise & worship and more contemporary muses. Even if one may not be familiar with her name, they will recognize the songs that she writes, like "Indescribable" made popular by Chris Tomlin.
    Laura admits, “Everyone wants to be a mature and equipped follower, but would I have signed up had I known what it would take? God has grown us up, deepened our faith, our awareness of our great need for him as a savior, daily. We knew it before, but we didn’t see it. This is a good place to be.”
    Blessings reflects that hopeful place. A worship project at heart with constant threads of pop energy and singer/songwriter warmth, the album was recorded in Georgia at Chris Tomlin’s studio and produced by Nathan Nockels (Passion). Story penned most of the ten songs herself but partnered with co-writers including Brenton Brown and Third Day’s Mac Powell.
    Laura's songs refect her faith, just as her bio reflects a man who lived many years ago. Her first single, "Blessings," off this album is a great example of that faith and life. 

                   

What if your blessings come through raindrops? What if your healing come through tears?

What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know you’re near?

What if trials of this life are your mercies in disguise?

These words hold so much the power of faith that no matter what storms may come in life, they have a meaning for your life. There is an old Chinese story that says something along these lines. Many years ago, in a time where China could still have more than one child, there was a man who had only one son. The man and the son worked hard together, but the man was advanced in years, so most of the work was left to the son. One day, the son was working in the field when an accident happened that left him with a broken leg. The family was devastated for now how will they survive, and what kind of future will this young man have? The next day, however, some soldiers came to the town and collected all the young able-bodied men to be the builders of the great wall of China. Those workers were never seen again. However, the son was not taken. The accident that broke his body saved his life. Stories like this are so common. Yet when it happens to us, do we have the faith in God to see us through?

What If We Were Real by Mandisa - A Review

This third studio album of Mandisa is another solid project that one can expect from the amazing vocal talents of Mandisa. I see Mandisa's first album, True Beauty, as one that does reflect more on the issues of image. This not surprising containing it was one of the reasons for her falling out of American Idol. Her second album, Freedom, is a declaration of a new Mandisa, and how she came so far not by herself. God has delievered her through so many trials in His loving arms. What If We Were Real is an album that encourages the listener to live life today, and if you can't find the strength inside then look to the One who is strength.
     The album, What If We Were Real, begins with the first single "Stronger."

The rest of the great collection contains the songs like "What If We Were Real," "Say Goodbye," "These Days," "The Truth About Me," and "Lifeline." Well most of these songs are from the first half of the album, but these songs were the ones that I thought featured her great vocals with meaningful lyrics. Or you could say that these were my personal favorite songs on the album. The one exemption from the beginning songs is the song "Lifeline." "Lifeline" is actually the last song on the album, and it does a great job ending the album with the lasting thought that God is the only lifeline that we can cling to.

Hello Fear - Kirk Franklin - A Review

This has to be one the best albums that I have heard yet this year. The music was well made, well produced, and well written. This album when I listen to it seems to flow from one song to another and at the end, the sense is one of completion.

      This Kirk Franklin album is a little different from all his previous album. The album begins without an upbeat, foot tapping song or an engaging story, but the beginning song "Hello Fear" has a lot of heart and describes the entire album. Kirk Franklin has shared his experience of his fight against fear. The album reflects on the struggle that many of us go through. Kirk Franklin changed the way we experience gospel music back in the earlier 1990's, when he mixed in the hip hop sounds with gospel music. I was expecting to hear something along those lines of intensely upbeat praise music. I was happily wrong and right, because the upbeat song "Today" that possess what one would expect from Kirk Franklin is on the same album of the lyically reflective song "Everybody Hurts." This album is more reflective and smooth R & B much of the time, but maintains the unique sound that is Kirk Franklin.
      When I first heard this album, I just wanted to share it with everybody that I saw. His song "I Smile" is one of reasons. It is really interesting to me because he describes bad things happen in an upbeat rhythm.  The song that tells us that even when bad things happen, we should still smile because of Jesus's joy in our hearts. I love how almost all the songs describe a silver liner in life that is the joy of Christ Jesus.
       Also on this live recorded album (and by "live" I mean that it was real backup singers and real instruments used), there are other artists featured of Marvin Sapp, Beverly Crawford, Rance Allen, Marvin Winans, John P. Kee, Isaac Carrie, and Mali Music. I love how Kirk Franklin was able to have the gospel legends and the new, talented Mali Music together on the same album. This is a multi-generational reaching type of worshipful album.

           Please enjoy the first single from this album below and I hope that you enjoy the rest of the album as much as I did.

A Shine of Rainbows - A Movie Review

A Shine of Rainbows gives life to a wonderful story of belonging, home, and family.
      Tomas, a shy eight-year-old orphan, is adopted by Maire McDonald, a beautiful woman bursting with life. She brings him home to Corrie, a remote island off the coast of Ireland, where he meets Alec, her reticent husband, who cannot hide his disappointment. 
       Maire shares with Tomas the classic and whimsical folklore of the island, the secret of the seals, and other wonders; mainly, that you can find hope anywhere if you really look. In this rugged and enchanting world, Tomas thrives and Alec begins to see in Tomas what Maire always has. But when tragedy strikes, Tomas is faced with his greatest challenge. He'll lose everything unless he can find and share the hope that's inside of him.
      What makes this movie great is the use of colors. The colors are a hint to the emotions of the shot. When there is many bright and vibrant colors, the emotions of happiness or light heartedness are present. When there is darker hues, the emotions are sad or more subdued. The movie is well done with excellent acting, gorgeous transitions, and the plot was well thought out. And for those who have a hard time with other accents, don't worry the Irish accents used are very easy to understand. It was a movie that brought laughter, smiles, and tears. I know that many will enjoy this movie as much as I did.

Make Your Move Concert - A Review

Last night, Sunshine Community Church rocked out the Make Your Move Tour with Travis Moore, Tenth Avenue North, and Third Day.
      Travis Moore is new to the stage, but not new to music as a songwriter for many well-know songs. He rocked out with his great guitar playing and his catchy lyrics. Any drawbacks, I would have to say was with his last song, "Jesus Rode the Subway," that I had some issues with the lyrics. Now this is a purely bias reason as I am someone who uses public transportation and it annoys me when assumptions are made to the types of people who use public transportation. However, the meaning was clear that God loves everyone even those who others turn away from.

1.       Tenth Avenue North gave an expected awesome performance. They rocked out with their worshipful songs, playing the songs form their new album The Light Meets the Dark as well as "By Your Side" and "Love is Here." The audience was treated to a new song, "You Don't Owe Me Anything." It was another meaniful song  of theirs that points to a God who cares inspite of us sinners. Many times last night, they were called men of God by others and I would have to agree. Any drawbacks was the sense of rushed between songs, but maybe this is because I have recently enjoyed their new project release, Tenth Avenue North Live: Inside and Inbetween. The DVD provides music videos, concert videos, and anointed song parables.

      Third Day came out with a bang as they rocked this concert in their 20 or so year as a band. Band members like bass player, Mac Powell and his heartfelt devotional talk, would come out on stage and speak to the audience. This interaction presented a sense of community between the vocalists and the listeners. This sense was even stronger when the band played among the seats in the center aisle. All night Third Day had been playing songs from their two newest albums and favorite songs of the past. So when they opened it up to request a funny thing happened that made the concert perfect. In one of the songs, Mac Powell had forgotten song of the words to the song. It reaffirmed that some songs are not dependent on the artist but are timeless in the hearts of the listeners. The audience was treated with a sneak peek to a new movie "8 Days in Utopia" where "Born Again" will be heard. This movie will be good, so look forward to seeing it in theaters this summer. Any drawbacks would be the time spent in the middle of the aisle where not everyone could see, but I guess if one is going to put that much effort into moving locations to make it worth while as they did.

       It was a great night that had incited an enchore performance of Third Day coming back out for two more songs. YAY!

Rising Stars is stellar! - A Review

So I sat down to watch this movie pretty skeptical about it, and I was pleasantly impressed with it. Lately, I have seen many movies that I have just found lacking something. Some have had a great story ideas, but either the transitions were cliche, the acting just not there, or the delivery is awful. In many cases one can overlook the lacking production, but thankfully here I did not have to as this movie was filled with talent both in front and behind the camera. 
      Imagine a singing competition and a film competition all in one TV show. The beginning introduces the three finalists in the singing and three finalists in the film categories. The finalists travel to a fine arts school, where the film finalists will create a music video of the singing finalists. Sounds musically exciting right? Well, the teen finalist come from diverse backgrounds, and all possess different personalities. These differences invite some challenges for the kids to overcome in order to win as they have to work together. And if we can more drama, there is this producer who will do anything to succeed. Just how far will these kids go to succeed? For what reasons do these kids want to succeed? This is another great movie about how life is not just about destinations, but also the journey of how we got there.
      Though this movie is not a movie about God, it is one that asks some important questions of how we live this life. This would be a great movie to share with those would normally be turned off by any movie labeled as "Christian". This is a positive movie for the whole family to enjoy as I have done with mine!

Here for You is Passionate!

     I have to say that I simply love the Passion Conference that happens every year. In some way it reaffirms the thought of a powerful God moving and active today. I mean how else could a gathering of so many Followers of Christ be able to come together and make such beautiful noise together.
     This musical experience begins with a great song by Chris Tomlin called "We Are Here For You." It is the kind of song that compels one get up and worship. By saying that we are here for the LORD, it gives purpose in everything we do. Life isn't all about us; it is about HIM. The next song, "Symphony," continues on this thought of life all about God with the entire creation glorifying its Creator.
     The Passion Conference is not just with Chris Tomlin but also features gifted musicians of Christy Nockels, David Crowder Band, Matt Redman, Kristian Stanfill, and featured in the song "Shadows" with David Crowder Band is Lecrae!
     As with Passion's Awakening released last year, don't be surprised to be soon singing these anointed songs in your church's worship! One might wonder if Here for You is as good as what Awakening was. I would have to say that that is a tricky question, because Here for You is the next step in this journey that we call life. Personally if I could combine the two projects on one compilation, because I would say that they are both that good.
     At the heart of it all, Passion exists to see a generation stake their lives on what matters most - the fame of the One who rescues and restores and our opportunity to amplify His name in everything we do. 
     CHECK OUT THIS PREVIEW TO THIS NEWEST PASSIONATE MUSIC

Some Exciting News for Francesca Battistelli Fans!

Francesca Battistelli's sophomore album is due to come out March 1st!!!
I'm not the only one who is excited about this new release- check out Francesca's own thoughts about her new album:


Dear friends and fans,


I am THRILLED to share with you this exciting news: my new album is finished and coming to you in 2011!! It's been such an incredible journey since the release of my first album My Paper Heart and I had a blast working with Ian Eskelin again for this new project. Your support means the world to me and since I absolutely cannot wait for you to hear these new songs, you can hear my upcoming single "This Is The Stuff" on below. Be sure to listen for it on your favorite Christian radio station in January. I wrote this about the day-to-day "stuff" that can get under my skin but ultimately God uses to work in my life.


One last thing… I'd love to hear what "stuff" drives you crazy! So be sure to tweet @francescamusic with whatever the "stuff" for you is with the tag #thisisthestuff. Each week I'll pick five responses and feature on my website. Can't wait to read your responses!


- Francesca

Need a Gift for your Father? Here is a musical idea!

  For many people finding the perfect gift for the father or man in their life is a difficult task. The newest project by Sanctus Real entitled Pieces of My Heart is an excellent idea for a number of reasons, like the heart filled songs. The song "Forgiven" is a celebration of forgiveness as described by Psalm 51:12 "restore to me the joy of your salvation." The song "Lead Me" was written by lead singer, Matt, during a time when he was tired in life and having a hard time on the home front. Interesting to note that when Sanctus Real plays this song at concerts, they look out into the audience to see the different reactions. Some couples are all loving, and sadly you have more the broken and struggling. What I love about this song is that it challenges and encourages at the same time. Even though the message is almost for men folk, it also is speaking to women also to have Christ lead their lives.

Barbara Faith Jordan

If you are looking for a easy listening festive sound look no further. The Gift of Christmas Peace is a simple joy to listen to.Barbara Faith Jordan is a Christian folk singer from Traverse City, Mi. With Dave Proulx as her piano/keyboard accompanist and her soothing voice, the Christmas season is made a musical special. The Gift of Christmas Peace is a collection of new favorites, classic favorites, and some old favorites. When you listen to this collection, grab a cup of hot chocolate (or coffee), and watch the large snow flakes fall softly among the happy Christmas lights outside. This song, All Through the Night/ Infant Holy, Infant Lowly, is just a sample of the soothing music that you will enjoy, just click on the title to preview.

A Lamp in the Dark - video review

Normally I don't post a negative review; however, I don't want others out there to assume as I did on this Bible documentary. I had asked our Bible expert to view it for me so that the review would be credible; however, the video itself is not very.
This is the link to his blog where he did review it.
bbhchurchconnection.wordpress.com