Monday, January 31, 2011

I got to give my one year-old daughter cake for the first time this past weekend. It was epic! How was your weekend? Did you experience a once-in-a-lifetime event or was it just your regular routine?

"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it. " - Ferris Bueller

ARTIST OF THE DAY
Scott Wesley Brown



Scott Wesley Brown's musical career began in the 6th grade. He was having a hard time grasping grammar in English class, but he excelled at poetry. A wise teacher used his love for rhythm to help teach Scott grammar, and he used his poetry to create his very first songs. In the 1970's Scott was a part of the Jesus movement. It was a thrilling time to be a Christian songwriter. Being a young adult, surrounded by a firey faith solidified his calling.

While times have changed and Christian music has become a multi-million dollar industry with hundreds of artists and songwriters, Scott's method is still that of a songwriter - taking poetry and putting it to music.

Originally from Philadelphia, Scott now records, tours and is a minister at a church in Scottsdale, AZ. His songs have been recorded by Sandi Patty, Amy Grant, Petra, Pat Boone and many others. After taking many years off from the recording world, he found a place to fit again with the hymn revival that has taken place over the past few years.

Latest Album: Songs From The Valley
Want More? CLICK HERE

Scriptural Pursuit

Q: How was Joseph told about Jesus' miraculous conception?

A: In a dream (Matthew 1:18-21)

Congratulations, James!

Friday, January 28, 2011

Have a great weekend!

ARTIST OF THE DAY
Caedmon's Call



Caedmon's Call has been producing eclectic, acoustic driven music for two decades. Cliff Young fronts this family of songwriters that includes Derek Webb, Danielle Young (Cliff's wife), Andy Osenga, Todd Bragg, Garett Buell, Jeff Miller and Josh Moore. Ask any Christian performer who they think is authentic in a world of pop culture glitz and they'll tell you, without skipping a beat, Caedmon's Call.

When Christian music was playing sold out arenas and massive mega-churches, Caedmon's Call continued (in spite of their great success) to play coffee shops and bars. They always wanted to be where they felt Jesus would be. Caedmon’s Call has sold over a million units of its 15 records to date but has always been more of a community itself than a band.

Caedmon’s also helped launch or boosted the careers of artists like Bebo Norman, Jill Phillips, Waterdeep, and Andrew Peterson. The band is also a longtime promoter of missional living, through their longtime partnership with Compassion International, and more recently with the Dalit Freedom Network, an organization fighting caste discrimination in India, and the band’s own Share The Well Foundation.

Latest Album: Raising Up The Dead

Want More? CLICK HERE

Scriptural Pursuit

Q: How did Elisha purify bitter water?

A: He threw a container of salt into it. (2 Kings 2:19-22)

Congratulations, Janet!

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Today is my daughter's 1st birthday! She doesn't know why she got her favorite breakfast (pancakes) or why there are streamers all over the dining room or why Mommy and Daddy have been so extra cuddly - but we do! This weekend we have a lot family and friends coming over to celebrate her birthday, but today is that special day that my wife (Elena) and I get to think back over the most life changing year we've had yet.

So happy birthday, Kaylee. Love, Daddy.

ARTIST OF THE DAY
Jonny Diaz



When Jonny Diaz headed off to Florida State University on a baseball scholarship in the fall of 2002, he was prepared to focus his time and efforts on his athletic skills. However, God had other plans and He began a work in Jonny’s life that led him to put down his bat and glove and instead, pick up his guitar. Jonny is the youngest of four brothers - all of whom went to college on baseball scholarships. His brother Matt currently plays for the Atlanta Braves. So it was a shock to the family when this jock got all intimate on the acoustic guitar.

Jonny’s debut album, Shades of White, released August 2003 as he entered his sophomore year of college. A few years later, More Beautiful You (his third album) struck gold with the title track - a loving anthem of self-worth for young women. Jonny has had the opportunity to open in concert for some of Christian music’s biggest acts (Mercy Me, Stephen Curtis Chapman, ect). He has also performed at some of the largest Christian music festivals in the country (Atlanta Fest, Alive and more). Although he primarily travels as an acoustic act, Jonny has an amazing group of musicians who join him for full band shows.

Latest Album: More Beautiful You

Want More? CLICK HERE

Scriptural Pursuit

Q: What is the 3rd book of the Bible?

A: Leviticus

Congratulations, Trish!

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

ARTIST OF THE DAY
Scott Riggan



Scott Riggan is less worried about being cool and more obsessed with writing songs that he loves. But writing and recording and living add up to a pretty fast paced life. His family life and local church ministry also tie up a lot of attention.

In addition, Scott’s ministry has taken him all over the world – including places like Tanzania and Ghana and, most frequently, China. He has toured as a guest of the Chinese government, produced a Mandarin worship CD, facilitated short term mission trips and served with the underground church. His work in China continues to expand.

His latest hit "I See You" is a duet recorded with Jaime Thietten. The song was originally written and recorded by Rich Mullins. Riggan took loving care of the song and also managed to create something unique and beautiful on its own.

Latest Album: Remember: The Scott Riggan Collection

Want More? CLICK HERE

Scriptural Pursuit

Q: What was Moses supposed to do to the rock at Horeb to bring water from it?

A: Strike/Hit It (Exodus 17:1-6)

Congratulations, Deborah!

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Tax season.

I've made it a point to always have extra taxes pulled out so that this can be a positive time for me. My parents, however, have not always been so fortunate. My dad is an ordained minister, which creates a sort of complicated-self-employed hybrid financial status during tax season. I can remember times when they've gotten refunds and when they owed. It was always a stressful time.

Kids take to heart when their parents worry. That's one of the myriad of reasons Jesus told us not to worry. Aside from it only ever being a negative impact on our lives - it affects those around us.

A dear friend of mine who is a children's minister sadly showed me some art work she had her young elementary kids draw during Christmas time a couple of years ago. Almost all of them showed pictures of money. Sometimes on trees. Sometimes their parents smiling and holding a wad of cash.

That's what they wanted for Christmas. Not the money - but their parents to stop worrying.

NEW RELEASE TUESDAY
What's New in Christian Music?

Come Home
by Luminate | Genre: Pop/Rock

Monster, Monster EP
by The Almost | Genre: Rock
*Another band featuring Aaron Gellespie

Here With You
by David M. Edwards | Genre: Praise & Worship

But, wait - there's more! CLICK HERE for the complete lowdown!

ARTIST OF THE DAY
Francesca Battistelli



“We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us.”—E.M. Forester

Francesca Battistelli's last couple of years were more like a whirlwind than actual time! Bursting onto the scene with My Paper Heart, an album so rich with sincerity and filled with radio hits, made 2010 something of an out of body experience. And to think this was not the life Francesca set out for ...

At only six years old, Francesca was an aspiring actress. She longed to be on Broadway - singing and dancing and acting. Francesca’s passion for life on the stage wasn’t all that surprising, given her mom and dad’s extensive theater background. In fact, they met when her dad was the assistant conductor for the national tour of “The King and I,” while her mom played Anna, the show's female lead opposite Yul Brynner.

And when Francesca was 15, she put her skills to good use in an all-girl mainstream pop group in Orlando, an experience that helped pave the way for what she does today. But when the gig eventually ended, Francesca says she was thankful for an opportunity to clear her head. “Not long after, I recharged my batteries by going to this youth ministry that I absolutely loved,” Francesca shares. “It was there where the Lord really captured my heart for Christian music. I started playing guitar and really longed to bring something authentic to the scene that even non-Christians could listen to.”

Francesca married Matthew Goodwin in 2009 (he plays drums for her band now) and they welcomed baby Matthew into the family this past September. The 2009 Dove Female Vocalist and New Artist Of The Year has a brand new album hitting shelves this March - Hundred More Years. It features her latest hit song, "This Is The Stuff."

Latest Album: Hundred More Years (Coming March 2011!)

Want More? CLICK HERE

Scriptural Pursuit

Q: For how long did the plague of darkness hang over the Egyptians?

A: 3 Days (Exodus 10:21-23)

Congratulations, Toni!

Monday, January 24, 2011

Happy New Week!

Did you have a momentous weekend? Was it just so-so? Was it beyond terrible? However the weekend went, it is now over. Time to move on! So what does this week have in store for us?

ARTIST OF THE DAY
After The Chase



After The Chase is husband and wife duo, Nathan and Jenna Strong. As worship leaders and performers, their approach to music is unique. When performing live, they bring more than music to the stage - they add drama and stories to their songs - and also mix in their own quirky sense of humor to every concert. Along with leading worship, this California couple talk discuss topics that are close to their hearts: short term missions, the environment and social justice.

The name of the band, After the Chase, comes from an old Southern saying about romance: "He chased her until she caught him." "Throughout our lives," says Nathan, "we find ourselves chasing after God, only to find that God has been catching us all along. Our music is our response to being caught up in the unconditional love offered to every one of us by the Creator of the universe."

Latest Album: Make Me New

Want More? CLICK HERE

Scriptural Pursuit

Q: What did Moses cast into the bitter water at Marah to make it sweet?

A: A tree or piece of wood (Exodus 15:23-25)

Congratulations, Donna!

Friday, January 21, 2011

I am a morning person. Sort of.

I like to sleep in, but I operate best when I get up and moving in the morning. Sometimes I'll hit the treadmill an hour before the rest of the family is up - just for some quiet time. But some mornings the blankets are so warm - the house so cold - that it is hard to imagine that anything good could come of moving away from the bed.

Mornings are a special time to me. I think they represent Hope unlike any other time of day. Christ is all about new beginnings. Freedom from sin - the promise of life - the joy of the Spirit! I am tuned in to those aspects of the Christian walk best in the mornings.

The challenge is to try and hold on to that throughout a busy, often times frustrating day. This afternoon I hope that together we can recapture that Hope of the morning - even as the sun prepares to set.

THE HAPPIEST COUNTRIES

Forbe's Magazine released their list of the Top 10 Happiest Countries in the World. The US is #10. The top 3 are a genuine surprise! Check them out HERE.

ARTIST OF THE DAY
Rush Of Fools



Alabama based Rush of Fools were an immediate success when they cropped up on the scene in 2007. Their debut and follow up album each provided radio hits - big sales - and successful tours. Such immediate success has left them wondering What do you do if at first you DO succeed?!

The band is fully aware of the trappings of success and fight hard to be good husbands and servants. Touring full time keeps them away from home and family sometimes, and that can be stressful. This summer the guys will be taking a step back from touring to be the worship band for Centrifuge at Ridgecrest, North Carolina. They'll get to spend the summer with their families and impacting the lives of teenagers.

Rush Of Fools:
Kevin Huguley – BGV’s, electric guitar & keys
Wes Willis - Lead Vocals, acoustic guitar
Jacob Chesnut – Bass
Jamie Sharpe – Drums
Dustin Sauder – Electric guitar

Latest Album: Wonder Of The World

Want More? CLICK HERE

Scriptural Pursuit

Q: What 2 people walked on the water?

A: Jesus & Peter (Matthew 14:22-32)

Congratulations, Tony!