Monday, February 20, 2012

If the world's got you feeling kicked down and beaten - let us remind you that the God of the Universe loves you desperately.  There is hope and joy in Him.  Join us as we focus our hearts on Jesus.

ARTIST OF THE DAY
Mark Harris

After 15 years with 4Him, a collaboration that resulted in 22 No. 1 hits and 8 Dove Awards, Mark Harris has gone on to have a sterling solo career as well! As 4Him’s primary songwriter, Harris had spent years writing from a corporate perspective, making sure his words encompassed what the entire group wanted to say. Now, speaking only for himself, he was able to communicate more personal messages straight from his own heart.

In order to give his family a solid foothold on life, Mark Harris is also the Head of Worship Ministries at Bay Community Church near his home on Alabama’s Gulf Coast. That security and home base allows for more time with family - and a needed church roots system.

Broken Bones: Mark's doctor told him that once a bone breaks and heals - that spot is stronger than before the break.  That's where the title for his latest album came from.

Fact: Before 4Him, the guys were a part of the ensemble cast of Truth.

Album: Stronger in the Broken Places

Twitter: @MarkHarrisMusic

Tour: CLICK HERE

Want More? CLICK HERE

Video: Where There Is Faith (Live - vintage)



SCRIPTURAL PURSUIT

Q: Why did God tell Moses to remove his shoes?

A: Because he was standing on Holy Ground. (Exodus 3:5)

A big congratulations to Kayla in Seaford, DE!

Friday, February 17, 2012

FRIDAY!  You are welcome.

ARTIST OF THE DAY
Steven Curtis Chapman

More than 3 years have passed since the Chapmans’ horrific loss when on May 21, 2008 Steven’s youngest daughter, Maria, was killed in a tragic accident. Since then Steven has sensed people waiting to see how he and his family were faring in the wake of the tragedy and what the next step in his musical evolution would be.

"We feel like morning is really starting to break for us and we’re beginning to sense there is new life starting to sprout. The real morning is still yet to come when we finally get to see Maria again in heaven, but as a family and individually we’re beginning to feel like there’s oxygen coming back into our lungs."

Re:Creation: The new album is a collection of new songs and re-made classics from Steven.

SCC by the Numbers:
10 million records sold
56 Dove Awards
5 Grammy’s
1 American Music Award
16 studio projects
45 career number 1 radio singles

Family: His sons Caleb and Will formed their own band (CALEB) and frequently open for their father, as well as other big names in Christian music.  His wife Mary Beth is an acclaimed Christian author (several books the Chapmans have co-authored).

Album: Re:Creation

Twitter: @StevenCurtis

Tour: CLICK HERE

Want More? CLICK HERE

Video: Do Everything



SCRIPTURAL PURSUIT

Q: Why did God appoint Aaron as a spokesman for Moses?

A: Moses complained he was not a good speaker. (Exodus 4:10)

Score for E'leo of St. Leonards, MD!

Thursday, February 16, 2012

It's the day before the day before the weekend.  So there's that...

ARTIST OF THE DAY
Gungor

“The story of God has gotten bigger to me,” relates Michael Gungor, who is perhaps best known for co-writing distinguished songs like “Friend of God” and the Dove Award-winning “Say So.” “We had become ‘professional’ Christians. We got to the point where we needed to figure out how to be the church in a more honest way for us.”

It was with that attitude the The Michael Gungor band sort of disbanded.  Half of them followed Michael and his wife Lisa as they moved to Denver, CO and founded a church/community of believers called Bloom.  Under the name Gungor they released last year's Beautiful Things record to critical praise and after touring with David Crowder*Band and John Mark McMillan, their fan base exploded.

This past year they put together an album called Ghosts Upon The Earth. It was even more exceptional than Beautiful Things!  Ghosts even garnered then a GRAMMY nomination (their 3rd!).  Gungor was named Best Musical Surprise by Relevant Magazine in 2011.  This year they are hard at work producing a live album/DVD based on their current tour.

Factoid: The title, Ghosts Upon the Earth was somewhat inspired by the allegory by C.S. Lewis titled The Great Divorce, in which the “ghosts” of a grey town encounter a heaven that is astonishingly, even painfully, real.

Fun: Tonight Michael and Lisa will stream live from their house - play music and answer questions - via their USTREAM channel at 9 PM EST.  CLICK HERE!

Album: Ghosts Upon The Earth

Twitter: @gungormusic

Tour: CLICK HERE

Want More? CLICK HERE

Video: When Death Dies (acoustic)



SCRIPTURAL PURSUIT

Q: Who was Moses' & Aaron's sister?

A: Miriam

 Congratulations, Angela in Marion, MD!

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Valentine's Day is over, so what's next on the Holiday schedule?
EASTER!
But that isn't until April 8th, so gear up for a long dry spell...

COMPASSION

You can still sponsor a child through Compassion International. 
CLICK HERE to learn more! 

ARTIST OF THE DAY
Matthew West

Dove award winning, GRAMMY nominated Matthew West is the songwriting darling of Nashville.  A pastor’s son, West grew up in Downers Grove, Illinois and released three independent projects before signing to a major label and issuing his first studio album, Happy. The project yielded the hit “More,” which topped the chart for nine weeks and became the most played song on Christian radio in 2004. The following year, he released History, an acclaimed collection that included the hit title track and the instant classic “Only Grace.” 

Then life happened.  West underwent a career-threatening vocal surgery in 2007.  He didn't know if he'd ever sing again.  But God brought healing and fresh perspective.  Less than a year after his surgery, West released Something To Say and garnered more listener and critical acclaim than ever before.

West's latest album (The Story of Your Life) is a series of songs written based on stories submitted by his fans.  There were encouragement in response to heartache, confessional and their depth surprised even their own writer.  West was so inspired by the stories that he is already working on a follow up in the same vein.  If you have a story to share with Matthew West - CLICK HERE - and perhaps he'll use your story as the basis for his next hit song! 

Album: The Story of Your Life

Twitter: @matthew_west

Tour: CLICK HERE

Want More? CLICK HERE

Video: My Own Little World



SCRIPTURAL PURSUIT

Q: Where was Joseph taken by the traders who bought him and pulled him out of the pit (cistern)?

A: Egypt (Genesis 32:28)

Way to go Rachel in Salisbury!

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Happening Now...

The Compassion International Child Adoption Marathon!
CLICK HERE to learn how you can make a difference.

Happy Valentine's Day!

The HISTORY of Valentine's Day.

NEW RELEASE TUESDAY

Heart
by Audrey Assad | Genre: Adult Contemporary

Live in Miami- Welcome to the Aftermath
by Hillsong United | Genre: Praise & Worship

Keep Quiet
by SONS | Genre: Rock

WANT MORE? CLICK HERE

The Artist of the Day & Scriptural Pursuit returns tomorrow afternoon!  Thanks to everyone who has sponsored a child through Compassion International.  You are saving lives and bringing entire communities the Good News!  As Romans 10:15 says, "..how beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"

Monday, February 13, 2012

Tomorrow we will be hosting a Compassion International event.  It will be our opportunity as a community to offer hope and salvation to many children in El Salvador.  CLICK HERE to learn more.

GRAMMY Winners

CLICK HERE to see all the Christian/Gospel winners from last night's GRAMMY Awards.

ARTIST OF THE DAY
Chris and Conrad

Chris Kuti and Conrad Johnson record, write, produce, and live in Lakeland, FL.  In fact, they were a part of the first wave of Christian songwriters who decided to stay at their home churches instead of relocating to Nashville (like David Crowder*Band, Big Daddy Weave, Third Day, Chris Tomlin, Laura Story and many more).

Chris and Conrad came together as a duo in 2007 after being introduced to one another as solo artists and potential co-writers. Along with writing their own music, the duo wrote for other bands.

Writing Credentials: Chris Kuti wrote We Want The World To Hear for Big Daddy Weave.

Ironically, while both Chris and Conrad are accomplished songwriters, their first and biggest single (Lead Me To The Cross) was written by Brooke Fraser. The band, unfortunately, is no longer touring together. Chris and Conrad split in November, 2010.

Album: Chris & Conrad

Twitter: @chrisandconrad

Want More? CLICK HERE

Video: You're The One



SCRIPTURAL PURSUIT

Q: Who was Joseph's mother?

A: Rachel (Genesis 35:24)

Score for Linda in Laurel, DE!

Friday, February 10, 2012

FRIDAY!  You are welcome.

ARTIST OF THE DAY
Jared Anderson

Known for his work with New Life Church and the Desperation Band, Jared Anderson is the writer of such modern worship favorites as “Rescue” and “Amazed.”  Anderson's artistry has blossomed at New Life Church, pastored by Ted Haggard. He grew up at the church, and then went away to college at Oral Roberts University where he studied music and made a couple of indie records. He eventually returned home to Colorado, and to New Life.

As his church was rocked by scandal surrounding their lead pastor, the church learned about Grace, forgiveness and delved into a closer walk with God.  As they continue to rebuild, they find themselves asking new questions about who God is calling them to be.

In writing the songs for Live From My Church, Jared sought to create music that could easily be recreated by any church band.  The goal was to bring to life accessible worship music for others to embrace, adapt and lead people to Jesus.

Locale: Jared calls Colorado home. 

Album: Live From My Church

Twitter: @jaredanderson

Tour: Hear Us From Heaven 

Want More? CLICK HERE

Video: Hear Us From Heaven



SCRIPTURAL PURSUIT

Q: Who was Jacob and Esau's father?

A: Isaac (Genesis 35:29)

Congratulations, Patti from Delmar, DE!