The music video for this song features images from Boston and other tragedies. It's kind of a pop song but still hopeful and pleading for peace, knowing it will happen someday when Christ returns. Check...
A Heart Revealed
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I have to say, it was quite a bit of creative thinking that resolves this one. It was lovely seeing the other O'Connors again. Julie Lessman writes well. However, it's not for everyone - if you skip...
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This is the second man-on-death-row-is-he-innocent? book I've read recently. (The other was Randy Singer's "The Last Plea Bargain") I thought this was well-written, but sad too. There's two twists...
An inspiring sequel | Posted May-16-2009
He never set out to be a relationship expert, but God had plans for Joshua Harris. Plans that lead him to Shannon Hendrickson, a newer Christian than he was and his future wife and mother of his 3 kids.
"Boy Meets Girl" tells the story of Josh and Shannon's courtship, from first meeting to marriage. It also continues where "I Kissed Dating Goodbye" left off in that it goes deeper into the idea that respectful, mature courtship is an option that should be considered.
Now while everyone can agree that sexual purity and considering the other person first goes without saying, Josh suggests that we as Christians have a choice. We can either choose to date someone by starting off with romance, or getting to know them as friends first and lovers later.
Josh provides several examples of people he's known and where they went right or wrong in their relationships. He isn't afraid to admit he's been tempted by sexual sin before (although he did stay a virgin until his wedding night). He speaks clearly and concisely about his opinions, and quotes several other books where the authors have explained his points exactly. The book also features a lengthly discourse on The Cross and how we're sinners and even the worst sexual sins can be forgiven.
Josh never forces us to accept his views. He says that if, for instance, you want to kiss before you're married (he didn't), that's your choice. But there are some things that are indisputable.
This was a great read and I would recommend it to anyone who is considering/is dating.
(And by the way, I loved that "Courtship Cop" story!!! :) )
Really made me think | Posted May-16-2009
It's a fresh perspective in this world of hookups and breakups; don't rush into going out with someone just as you wouldn't rush into a marriage. Don't date just for an escort or an excuse to wear nice clothes. Joshua Harris's personal choice makes a lot of sense in this crazy mixed-up world.
I have to say that as a person who's never dated, not once, it's made me feel better about it. I never conciously chose not to, I just never really got asked. Now I'm wondering if maybe that wasn't Providence rather than being undesirable.
He talks about all the heartbreak that can come from flippantly "going out" with somebody and shares stories of people he's known that made right and wrong choices. It's really inspiring. At one point or another, everybody in my family picked the book up (I think it may have been the title that caught their eyes)
Everybody should read this book, and whether or not they agree with every/anything in it, they'll be forced to take a good hard look at their relationships.
(Another neat thing; if you take romance out of the equation, a lot of the things he says about relationships and listening applies to friendships too.)
Truly cool! | Posted May-13-2009
I really loved the songs on this CD. My favorites were "Only the world" "shackles" and "He will come"; the last one was a very nice departure from the rest of the CD and sounded (wonderfully so) like she sung it at an intimate gathering of friends. Matthew West co-wrote a lot of the songs and it was interesting to see that he can write such diverse material. Absolutely a great album.
Very Inspiring! | Posted May-09-2009
I got this book for Christmas a few years ago and enjoyed it very much. Its goal is to inspire young women to speak out when they see injustice stand up for Christ when He's attacked, and live a pure life. It was nice to see that although the book included Rebecca St. James as one of it's profiled "Esthers", it also featured several lesser well known young women. I would recommend this book to girls of all ages.
I really liked this | Posted April-29-2009
I listened to the CD twice, once in the living room of my house, once in my room with headphones. Here's what I thought:
Taste And See- My favorite song on this CD. I really liked the beat of this one and the flute(?, or whatever that was) added a nice touch. It starts off slow and picks up by the chorus. The word choices ("reservoirs" for example) were interesting.
Take Us Away- A song of longing for the rapture, it's comforting in that while we hurt now, there is yet hope for the future. The song is medium tempo and the verses are not disjointed; they segue well into each other.
Arms Open Wide- Desribes the day the narrator came to Jesus, and all the good things God is. Speaks of the trust we should have in God. It's a very upbeat song and the guitar-playing is great. Ends off quietly.
Redefined- Another trust in God song; also proclaims the singer has been made new. The chorus is unusually high-pitched. Could have done without background Jason-computer voice.
Lamb of Glory- Repeating the same verse for first and second really drives the point home about Jesus' sarcifice. The simple piano and strings background really works for this song; it makes it more of a slow, quiet, worshipful moment. However, it ends too abruptly.
A Million Angels- Thanks God for caring, asks the question that so many have wondered; "Why does God love me?". Expresses his dedication to God. Not sure if I liked it or not, but why does his voice go from one pitch to another in each part of each verse?
Final Verdict- A great first CD, I'd love to see more out of him.
(My mom listened with me the first time and she likes it too. Except she thinks that the instruments drown him out sometimes.)
Inspired me | Posted April-02-2009
First of all, let me say that I wrote a couple of lyrics of my own as a direct result of this CD. ("Perservere" is one of them.)
Second, the 3 songs ("Tunnel" "Mountain of God" and "Cry Out To Jesus") that became singles were well deserving of the role. They had awesome vocals, great messages, and interesting metaphors.
The one thing I didn't like was the fact that the last 2 songs both used the same phrase in them "strength to carry on". But that's okay.
I got this CD from NRT after it had been in the prize bin since before I joined. Well worth the points!!! :D
(I wanted to get it at Wal-mart around Christmas and hid it in the store. But my dad wouldn't let me get that copy. Oh, well!)
Pleasant surprise | Posted February-11-2009
I saw this CD at Wal-mart just before Christmas, but didn't get it, because I'd only heard one of their songs, the very popular "Here I Am" over and over, and I didn't know if anything else would be good. But now, having borrowed the CD from the library, I can only say two words; birthday present!!! The lyrics are fresh, new, and use words I hardly ever hear. My favorites are "The Beggar Who Gives Alms" (love the imagery!!) "The Problem" (new way of thinking about life) "All At War" (metaphors rock!) "How Many Kings" (beautiful chorus). What I really enjoyed was the way the two vocals switched off, and the myriad of music styles used. It gave the album a first-listen unpredictability. A really great album.
(By the way, I laughed out loud at the climax of "Don't Miss Now". Am I the only one who expected them to burst out with "Sherry", a la Jersey Boys?)
100% Bible | Posted February-07-2009
The best thing about Casting Crowns is that they consistently tell the truth in no uncertain terms, even if some people don't want to hear it. This album is a great example. "Stained Glass Masquerade" and "Set Me Free" are the two most daring, because they talk about bottling up our feelings and sins in front of eachother, and demon possession, respectively. "Set me Free" would be a great song for addicted people as well. "Lifesong" is simple, yet it expresses a very important idea; everything we do must give glory to God, or else we sing praises that mean nothing. "Does Anyone Hear Her" is a great song that attacks our quickness to judge without loving. And "Praise You In This Storm" is made all the more powerful by the story behind it. "Prodigal" is a nice Bible story adaptation. "In Me" doesn't have a hard hitting punch until you listen to Mark's testimony that he gives at concerts...the one about him sitting at the piano playing the same 4 chords over and over. (there's a video of the testimony on youtube) "Love Them like Jesus" is sweet and slow, and simple; beautiful too."While You Were Sleeping" is a very strong song when done with the Jerusalem lyrics instead of the second Bethlehem verse. Much more powerful, because it takes us through the most important 3 stages of Jesus' life; His birth, His death, and His eventual return. "And Now My Lifesong Sings" ends the CD as they like to end all of their CDs; with worship or contemplative songs. A great album.
Second Listen Liked It | Posted January-24-2009
I listened to this first when I had a headache, so pretty much everything sounded bad. But afterwards, I really liked it. With quiet reflective vocals, including duets with self, the songs are simple and beautiful. She reminded me of the women in the Rankin family as far as voice goes.
My fave song was the one where she takes on the role of Mary, reminiscing about Jesus being her little child and wishing she could comfort him as he was dying. A great debut.
Shaking my head?? | Posted December-13-2008
Not sure what to think about a book that gives the holy spirit and God the father a female shape (the latter for most of the parts where it appears). It was like the book was two different books; one, sounding like most family grief stories, the other deep and philosohpical and richly metaphorical. I read this book in one sitting with a couple of short two or three minute breaks. Not one I'd read again, but kind of amazed by the actual truth that is in it...about God loving us all. I personally like Christian life books, like Karen Kingsbury's. I've never read the adult version of Pilgrim's Progress, but from skimming the kid's version I can pretty much say that "The Shack" is far richer and deeper and harder to understand. BTW, little side note...this book is ID number 666 on this site. So a pretty interesting book. I wonder how it'd translate on the screen.
LauraCC's Music and Book Reviews 
