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Uncommonly Great Devotional | Posted April-01-2008
I am privileged to have experienced this daily devotional based on The Message translation of The Bible written by Eugene Peterson. There are selected passages for all 365 days of the year and I'm a quarter of the way through it so far and it truly is the best daily devotional I've ever read and experienced.
First off, I've never actually read The Message translation although I love the contemporary language. I'm looking forward to reading all of the translations throughout this year and comparing them to my favorite NIV Bible verses. This book has given me both the opportunity to read a new modern translation AND experience the verses by doing a devotional. My pastor J.R. Briggs, along with Jan Johnson and Katie Peckham wrote the daily devotional content.
One of the studies I really enjoy is called Lectio Divina. It is a way of praying with Scripture that calls one to study, ponder, listen and, finally pray from God's Word. Mostly this involves focusing on a certain word or phrase from the text and meditating and praying over that text.
I truly find this to be an uncommonly great devotional. I spend about 15-30 minutes per day delving into God's Word and experiencing what God has to say to me. I highly recommend this book.
God Bless!
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Unique Christian Vocalist | Posted March-18-2008
I am surprised there are no reviews of this album considering the success of a couple of the singles "Lost At Sea" and "Fence Riders", which are truly Christian renditions of Jason Mraz, who I happen to really like so I picked up this album on the strength of those 2 songs. They are highlights to be sure and they are Biblical, unlike Jason Mraz, so they are songs worth supporting. If you're expecting the rest of the album to be that vocal style, you'll be disappointed but I was not as I like this album for the ballads, especially "Dearly Loved" and my favorite overall song on the album is "Stand On Grace", which is a tender devotional based on Romans 5:1-3, one of my favorite passages from the Bible. Find comfort and blessings here:
Romans 5:1-3.
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I Still "Stand" with Smitty | Posted March-14-2008
I still "Stand" with Smitty. Due to the overall quality of his body of work, sometimes people overlook the newer releases by Michael W. Smith, myself included. I've had this album "Stand" for over a year and I was originally drawn to the songs co-written with Leeland Dayton Mooring "Cover Me", "Open Arms" and "Be Lifted High" and those are certainly highlights. Recently I've been very touched by the middle of the album, particularly "How To Say Goodbye" written for Michael's daughter when she left home for college. I'm moved by that song since I have 3 daughters myself. I also really love "Grace", co-written by Martin Smith of Deliriou5?, "Oh Lord You're Beautiful", written by Keith Green and my favorite song on the album is "The Stand" which is a great worship anthem based on Romans 5:1-3 which is one of my favorite passages from The Bible. Find comfort and blessings here:
Romans 5:1-3
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Fantastic 2nd Album, top 10 of 2008! | Posted February-26-2008
I LOVE this album and this band. "Beautiful Love" from their debut was a monster success and I expect even bigger things from this 2nd album. "Never Going Back To OK" is one of those rock anthems you can't get out of your head (a good thing) and "Myspace Girl" is catchy and clever, and for me the other highlights are the tender "Keeping Me Alive" and the rocking "Tonight". It's early in the year, but I can't imagine this album not being top 10 of 2008!
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Excellent Debut Album, Top 10 of 2008! | Posted February-21-2008
After Edmund is a great example of the new wave of Christian rock bands that have come out in the last few years. Similar sound to MuteMath, The Fray and Snow Patrol on the mainstream side (all favorites of mine) and Leeland, Deas Vail and Ruth (my favorite new Christian bands). "Thank God" kicks it off, and I find "Fighting For Your Heart" "Come and Rain Down" and "Like A Dream" to be the other highlights. Excellent debut album and top 10 of 2008 in my opinion!
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Excellent Worship Album! | Posted February-14-2008
I'm so glad Hillsong United recorded a studio album and this album is such a perfect combination of upbeat and reflective songs, they are great in any format. Brooke Fraser's vocals on "Hosanna" and "Lead Me To The Cross" are extremely worshipful and captivating at the same time and "Solution", "Point of Difference" and "Saviour King" just round out an excellent worship album!
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Excellent Worship Album! | Posted February-08-2008
Along with Jared Anderson, Steve Fee and David Crowder, Robbie Seay is among the best worship leaders today and this is an excellent worship album. It flows extremely well, starting with the title track "Rise" where the chorus urges to "give yourself away" and has been used in American Idol commercials, then "Song of Hope (Heaven Come Down)", "New Day", "Eternal One" and "Beautiful Scandalous Night" are the other highlights. Robbie's vocal intensity matches the lyrical intensity and this is my favorite worship album of the year!
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Solid Christian Rock Album | Posted February-07-2008
I've been greatly enjoying "Be Still" since last summer when it came out and I liked "Everything and More" so I planned on downloading the rest of the songs on "We Are Not Alone" but didn't get the chance until recently and I'm glad I did. "Tell Me What You Think Of God", "Fall Down", and "I Give You More" are my other favorites but "Be Still" is one of the best songs I've ever heard and I love it more and more. Good album and group, I'm looking forward to more.
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Great Worship Album! | Posted February-06-2008
I really like these guys. I kept downloading songs, first "Glorious One", then "We Shine", then "Lift High" and they are all great worship songs, and at that point I decided to download the whole album and I don't regret it. "Burn for You", "All Because of Jesus" (also covered by Casting Crowns) and "Happy Day" (written and also recorded by Tim Hughes) are the other standout songs. Great diversity of styles, similar to Chris Tomlin and also Delirious and Tim Hughes.
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Brilliant Live Christian Album! | Posted February-05-2008
If you like to get to know the artists you listen to and what they stand for, then this album delivers. Derek Webb doesn't sugarcoat his awesome message which is mostly that Jesus came to save us from being Pharisees. He spells that out before "Nobody Loves Me" and "I Repent" which are 2 of the outstanding tracks, along with "She Must And Shall Go Free", "Faith My Eyes", "Lover" "Take To The World" and "Wedding Dress". Amazing, brilliant album!
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KevinDavis_NRT's Music and Book Reviews 
