Chris Tomlin - Burning Lights {Review & Giveaway}

When I was about nineteen years old, I fell in love with a new worship movement especially geared for college students. It was fresh and real and freeing and gut-wrenchingly from the heart. They called themselves Passion, and the passion that they inspired in the hearts of not only but especially college students was just mind-blowing. A whole generation fell in love with the likes of David Crowder, Charlie Hall, and Chris Tomlin....including me.

Almost 15 years later, Passion is still going strong. Their worship leaders have multiplied and many have written and launched albums of their own. Yay!

This week, I am excited to tell you that one of my LONG TIME FAVS released a NEW album on Tuesday of this week.....Burning Lights.

Chris Tomlin wrote his first worship song at fourteen years old. Ten years later, he started a journey that would see him leading thousands upon thousands of the leaders of the next generation in worship. His songs have made their way into church worship services, youth group prayer vigils, car radios, and maybe even your personal iTunes playlist. from Give Us Clean Hands, We Fall Down, How Great Is Our God, God of This City and so many more comes worship songs for the new millennium.

Burning Lights continues this amazing trend with songs like White Flag that reminds us to lay our own agenda down in surrender to His, God's Great Dance Floor that just rocks your socks off and makes you want to leave your seat and get on your feet, and my current personal fav, Whom Shall I Fear {God of Angel Armies} that reminds me of the story in the Bible where Israel's enemies saw WAY more fire power behind the Israelite army than was actually there, and like them, I know that "the God of angel armies is always by my side."

Even though Sparrow Records gave me an album for review, I got so excited listening to these songs at Passion '13 that I could not wait to tell you about it because I know you will love them too!

PLUS......

And this is the best part.....

Five of you....yes that is right....FIVE of you will win Burning Lights for FREE!! Right here!!

Yay!!

Just enter the Rafflecopter below for a WHOLE LOT of chances to be one of those winners!! Be sure to come back every day to tweet or share for more entries!
{If you are reading this in your e-mail or a reader, please click over to the blog to enter.}

a Rafflecopter giveaway

What I Am Into These Days :: Fall 2012 Edition

Listening ... I haven't been listening to any one thing consistently recently. A few months ago, I purchased Deluge's latest album, Swell, and my favorite song there that stirs my heart is He Rose. Mandisa JUST released a Christmas album this year which I place to break out after Thanksgiving. {Review on that coming soon!}

Watching ... I absolutely ADORE The Voice. I will admit that I am quite often teary at a beautiful performance or watching an artist be praised for their efforts. I love to see a dreamer see some of their dreams coming true. Arno and I have been watching Alias together as neither of us saw it during its 6(or 7) season long run. Gotta love Netflix! I have also been catching up with Doctor Who on Netflix which I truly love. And of course, I could not wait until Downton Abbey was released in the U.S. in January, so I all caught up along with my U.K. friends in the current season. Love Mary and Matthew and I can honestly say shot that I STILL get a thrill of excitement every time I hear the musical intro. #MustDownload My interests are teasingly diverse...yes..that's me!

**Photo Credit

Reading ... I really did a lot of fictional catch up over the summer but seemed to have paused in that endeavor as of late. However, I am in the middle of Ted Dekker's {my favorite Christian fiction author}latest release, The Sanctuary. {Review on that coming soon too!}.  I am also really excited to be a part of the launch team for Graffiti by Alene Snodgrass. Stay tuned on my Twitter feed for more details about this amazing book from BOTH sides of the street. So amazing!

Pinning ... I recently bought Pinterpretation by Holly Gerth and Stephanie Bryant at Squee. I haven't written down all of my answers yet, but it was SUPER fun to go through my boards with all of the questions that they have AMAZINGLY come up with to figure out more of how I am wired! {I totally recommend it!}

Eating ... Um. Salted Caramel. EVERYTHING. The end.

Drinking ... See above. {Thank you, Starbucks, for this --> Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate}

**Photo Credit

Wearing ... Bought some fun random items recently :: sleeveless tuxedo dress, three-quarter length sleeved sheer white top with ruffles, a red ruffled skirt with blue flowers, a polka-dotted scarf, a maroon cotton dress, oh..and..two new pair of jeans. {Taking cute & comfy shoe suggestions for boot cut jeans. Criteria :: Must be able to wear "cutely"WITH socks and MUST be flats...no tennis shoes...comment below PLEASE!!}. Fall is my favorite clothing time of year with tights and boots and scarves. #SoFun

Feeling ... Winter weather is a bit tough on my body with recurring chronic pain flareups and insomnia issues. Thank you for your prayers on my behalf that it would be an AMAZING winter and not a painful one. Scared a bit about our foster care journey...some technical issues have put a pause on the progress but more on that at a later date.

Weather ... This week the forecast is sunny and high 50's -- just beautiful! Should make for perfect Thanksgiving weather!

Wanting ... A new telephoto lens for my DSLR. My current one is twelve years old and is slowly "giving up the ghost." Also for my oven to be fixed soon...looking forward to baking some yummy things this season...hopefully!

**Photo Credit

Needing ... to learn balance in my schedule, in my personality, in my goals, in my approach to life {creativity vs practical}

Thinking ... Christmas! Yay! My absolute favorite season and with this great room, I plan to have the BIG tree of my childhood dreams. #WhoSaysYouHaveToGrowUp

Enjoying ... fireplaces in our new-ish home, visits from long-time college pals, photography classes with my sister, time to learn and grow and process, and as always...His never-ending grace.

What about you? What are you currently up to?
Would love to hear your life-song in this season.

Power in the Name of Jesus {For Your Weekend}

Nahum 1:13 - "Now I will break the yoke of bondage from your neck and tear off the chains...."

John 20:31 - "....and that by believing in him you will have life by the power of his name."

Ooo...and if you have not slipped over HERE to enter the Matthew West Giveaway, TODAY is the last day!!! So go on over there NOW and enter to win. SIX people will win! Those are some great odds, baby! {Psstt...you do not need to be a blogger to win!!}

AND

There is an exciting announcement over at (in)courage on Tuesday. You know the kind of stuff that is all about super powers and community and well....YOU! There is a place for you RIGHT SMACK IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS, I promise! So, please do not miss this announcement!!

For Love of You {For Your Weekend}

I have had Audrey Assad crooning in my van's CD player this week.

{I forgot how much fun it was to open a new CD 

and get to know the songs while riding in the car -- #GoodTimes}

For Love of You has been in my head the most...
so I wanted to share it with YOU to marinate in and be loved on over your weekend.

This is how God showed his love for us: God sent his only Son into the world so we might live through him. This is the kind of love we are talking about—not that we once upon a time loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to clear away our sins and the damage they’ve done to our relationship with God. 
~1 John 4:9-10~

Acquired Taste

Jen Price was one of the first true and REAL connections that I made after I began blogging. We were at the decision point of "to-sabbatical" or "not-to-sabbatical" and I stumbled across her blog. She and her husband, Jeremy, were in the midst of their sabbatical time after having pioneered Ten Thousand Homes, a non-profit ministry in South Africa for over 10 years. I reached out and her reception, understanding, and open heart endeared me to her immediately. Although we have never met (IRL), I feel that she is a TRUE friend, and I cannot wait to hug her and talk to our hearts content one day!

God has taken Jen & Jeremy on a dreaming journey over the past two years, developing in their creative gifts and talents as artists. Jen is an amazing photographer {you can find her oh-so-awesome work HERE}, and Jeremy just finished up work on his debut EP project, Acquired Taste

When Jen asked me to be a part of the blog tour, I was psyched to be a small part of their journey.

There is a richness in Jeremy's music that reminds me of nothing else, and I love that. There is an honest transparency that touches that nerve of raw uncomfortability and soulish candor all at the same time that draws you more and more upon every playback.

Another amazing friend, Alece, who also spent a decade in South Africa, asked Jeremy about his heart and journey with this project, and how his work in Africa ties in with it all.

I wanted to share Jeremy's own words with you—

I have been writing songs for over 15 years and spent much of my early adult life playing music all over the world. The last few years I have set it aside while building Ten Thousand Homes. But now is the time.

Ten Thousand Homes is a movement of ordinary people actively building HOPE and creating HOMES for Africa’s orphans and vulnerable children.

In creating home for these children we try to inspire them to pursue joy. In the midst of great tragedy and loss, we desire for them to pursue their dreams, that which gives them joy.

My pursuit in joy has always led me to music. And one day I realized that to really help these guys I must all out pursue that which gives me joy. So for the first time, freaked out and completely blessed, I am releasing my first EP, Acquired Taste.

I chose songs that were not all written recently. One was written this year, while others go back as far as 8 years ago. The title track Acquired Taste was written while in the bush of Africa. I really wanted to represent a journey, and while this is a simple recording, I am extremely proud of it! What I know now is that this is only the beginning!

I continue to work in Africa, and while Ten Thousand Homes has no paid staff, the sale of these albums does help the work continue. Thank you for listening. Thank you for investing in dreams. Now, go pursue that which brings you joy!

So why don't you go check out Jeremy's album? You can download it for as little as $3! What a great Christmas gift for the music-lover in your life or for YOU!!

Listen to and Download Acquired Taste.

Follow Jeremy on Twitter.

Like him on Facebook.

Never Once

As I think back on this year -- the year of the once-broken, now {redeemed} places, the season of walking through the valley and the desert, this song resounds fully in my heart. I pray that it encourages you as you listen and read these words today.....

Never Once

Standing on this mountaintop

Looking just how far we’ve come

Knowing that for every step

You were with us

Kneeling on this battle ground

Seeing just how much You’ve done

Knowing every victory

Was Your power in us

Scars and struggles on the way

But with joy our hearts can say

Yes, our hearts can say

Never once did we ever walk alone

Never once did You leave us on our own

You are faithful, God, You are faithful

Kneeling on this battle ground

Seeing just how much You’ve done

Knowing every victory

Was Your power in us

Scars and struggles on the way

But with joy our hearts can say

Yes, our hearts can say

Never once did we ever walk alone

Never once did You leave us on our own

You are faithful, God, You are faithful

You are faithful, God, You are faithful

Scars and struggles on the way

But with joy our hearts can say

Never once did we ever walk alone

Carried by Your constant grace

Held within Your perfect peace

Never once, no, we never walk alone

Never once did we ever walk alone

Never once did You leave us on our own

You are faithful, God, You are faithful

Every step we are breathing in Your grace

Evermore we’ll be breathing out Your praise

You are faithful, God, You are faithful

You are faithful, God, You are faithful

~Matt Redman

#JustWrite

After writing for 31 days straight, coming off of an incredible conference in Pennsylvania at Relevant, and reading through post upon post of new friends and others's experiences, not to mention all of the cool giveaways linked up at The Nester's blog, I planned NOT to write today, but something inside of me felt incomplete, unfulfilled, lacking in some way.

And since I have devoured my Twitter feed in a whole new way since returned from Relevant '11, I kept seeing #JustWrite come up, so I after a few of those subtle reminders, I thought, "Lindsey, JUST WRITE!"

You see, I have so much that I have learned, so much that God had been teaching me, such buried treasure He has spent time digging up inside of my very soul. I am not sure what to do with it all quite yet, not sure how to put the lessons into words, the journey into purpose, the destiny into magic.

So I #JustWrite because I must. I am a writer. Words are the tools with which I craft my art. This mechanical contraption with fruitful heritage becomes the instrument where I can breath life into my ordinary moments.

I pause. I ponder. I wonder. How to do this without editing, without fixing, without fuss.
I discovered this weekend that I am not naturally gifted in the freedom of allowing words to flow freely like a river from my soul, crashing, caressing, weaving their refreshment onto the souls of those with whom their paths may cross.

So I #JustWrite.

I simply let my heart go, let my mind loose, let my meditations find wings.

Or at least I try.

Because I am not just a blogger.
A girl with a computer, writing her stories, her travels, her heartbeat, her song
A women who find beauty in brokenness.
I am an artist.
His creative palate which which He paints a beautiful portrait of His purpose and His life.
I am free to be.

To be.
To be ALL that He has called and meant for me to be,
Since before the foundation of time where He took my place
that I might live

this life fill with freedom

and purpose

and destiny

and wholeness.

So, I......

#JustWrite.

Worship Wednesday: Held

My friend, Katy, shared worship on this Wednesday, and I thought that was a beautiful idea so I thought I would share a song that I "heard" the other day not for the first time with my ears, but for the first time with my heart.

In this journey of life....

This is what it means to be HELD

How it feels, when the sacred is torn from your life

And you survive

This is what it is to be loved and to know

That the promise was that when everything fell

We'd be HELD

If hope if born of suffering

If this is only the beginning

Can we not wait, for one hour

Watching for our Savior

Multitude Monday - #51-66

Gratitude - a feeling of thankfulness or appreciation, as for gifts or favours;

the state of feeling grateful

Thank You, Lord for.....

~51. a day filled with laughter and shopping with family (twice in one weekend!)

~52. the fact that my family was "ALL together" this Christmas....every single one...parents, sister, cousins, aunts, uncles, grandmother, grandfather, and even every single married/grafted in ones -- I am blessed!!

~53. the big beautiful snowstorm that dumped 12 inches in a routinely non-white Christmas area that I live in

~54. my mom, a eating healthy expert, who is helping me detox this week to shed those unwanted pounds that have creeped in over the past few months

~55. giggles with my girlfriends -- Mom & Kasi -- great times, remembering & reminiscing

~56. a new year to draw closer to, to be loved by, and to walk in grace with my precious FATHER

~57. my dad, who gets us firewood, puts the lights on the Christmas tree, and even goes and gets us "another" size in the dressing room without complaining

~58. the cozy fireplaces during our winter snowstorm/blizzard

~59. discovering new music like that of JJ Heller....spoken to my very soul in a moment of sheer agony

~60. watching my husband sport his new "style" today -- that man is just so adorable!

~61. visiting with my besties last week -- one of us just had a baby, one is going to get married this year, and one of us is embarking on some new twists and turns this year

~62. beautiful words from incredible bloggers out there that just blow me away with their insight and wisdom

~63. although the snow has melted, the world still looks so beautiful and fresh this morning

~64. having heart-to-hearts with Mom, Sis, Tricia, Alison, Stacey, Arno

~65. His Word - like honey, like manna, like fresh running water to my heart and soul

~66. making me me -- even though in this season, I have found myself finding so much fault with myself, I see HIS precious hand drawing me in and molding me and using the ME that HE created me to be....He is faithful to complete the work He started in me....

I have joined The Gratitude Community -- a place to be inspired by others and what God is doing in their lives, a chance to share my own journey of gratitude, and an opportunity to REMEMBER to be grateful in ALL things. So on Mondays, I will add to my list of 1000 gifts of all the graces God has provided in my life. Would you consider joining me? Even if you don't blog, you can join the gratitude community by starting a gratitude journal, mentionning your gifts on Facebook, or sending e-mails to your friends. Let's work together to help in creating a more thankful, joyous world!!