Grace Chapel Worship: Songs of the Incarnation EVER WITH US

Grace Chapel Worship has released  Songs of the Incarnation: Ever With Us, a new 7-song Christmas EP, through iTunes, Amazon Music and Google Play. (Grace Chapel Worship photo)

 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (December 8, 2015) - Merry Christmas from Grace Chapel Worship! Hailing from beautiful Leiper's Fork, Tennessee, the worship team from Grace Chapel is thrilled to announce the release of their beautiful new 7-song Christmas EP, Songs of the Incarnation: Ever With Us on the Grace House Music label. The project is now available for purchase online through iTunes, Amazon Music and Google Play.

"My primary goal was to create a recording that people would want in their music collection at Christmastime," declares producer Scott Williamson (Point of Grace, Three Strand). "I think we did that. But, in doing so, we found our way into something even better--something truly worshipful that reflects the spirit of the season."

The EP kicks off with a decidedly Nashville version of the beloved carol, "Joy to the World," featuring an eclectic combination of electric guitars, keys and banjo, before seguing into the project's debut radio single, "Ever With Us." Written by music industry veterans Mia Fieldes ("Proof of Your Love," "He Knows My Name") Rick Cua ("I Can, I Will," "Above All Else") and Jonathan Allen ("All of Me," "Mighty Redeemer"), "Ever With Us" features lead vocals by Dove Award winner Alisa Childers (ZOEGirl). This lovely holiday-themed carol employs understated piano leads, gently strumming acoustic guitars and sweet strings to accentuate Childers' pristine vocals, as the lyrics remind listeners of the true meaning of the Incarnation--that the Word came down and walked among us. He is God with us! Worship, joy and awe collide in a song that is destined to become a holiday classic.

The EP's worshipful mood continues with the project's other original composition, the sweetly evocative, piano-driven "Peace Be Still," before subtly shifting into the more up-tempo "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" which merges the Old English mood of the original with contemporary sensibilities. A joyful atmosphere emerges on "Angels We Have Heard On High," then is imbued with a hovering sense of awe as veteran CCM recording artistAmy Morriss Lowry takes lead vocals on "Oh Holy Night." The project closes with a lovely and peace-filled rendition of perhaps the most iconic of all Christmas carols--"Silent Night." 

Contemporary Christian music pioneer and Grace Chapel pastoral care pastor Rick Cua credits Grace Chapel worship pastor Jonathan Allen with creating an atmosphere of worship that was conducive to producing the project. "Jonathan Allen's nurturing leadership has made a way for the worship team to pour it all out for Jesus each time we worship, while at the same time get out of the way so the congregation can stay focused and draw close to the Lord," says Cua. "Every track on Grace Chapel Worship's new Christmas EP is a reflection of what God is doing musically from week to week and song to song at our church. The foundation of it all is our desire to worship God by giving back everything He's given us."

"I've had the joy of serving with the worship community of Grace Chapel for years now, and I'm so excited to share our first Christmas project!" says Allen. "This project is the fruit of our annual Christmas Eve services where we take a quiet hour to remember that Jesus has come into our world and changed everything. We went into the studio with a few members of our community to capture the heart of those nights. The result has far exceeded my expectations, thanks to the brilliant contributions of our team and particularly Scott Williamson, who produced the project. My hope is that this recording, and everything we do, will make Jesus famous and be a blessing to worshippers."

In keeping with Grace Chapel's heartbeat for missions and in response to God's call to "look after orphans" (James 1:27), a portion of the proceeds from all Grace Chapel Worship sales will go towards Josiah's House, a boys' home started by Grace Chapel in the Dominican Republic.

About Grace Chapel Worship:Grace Chapel Worship is a community of gifted artists who love to worship God and love serving the church. They value authenticity and passionate biblical response to God. It is their hearts' cry to look at the God who loved us first and say "I love You too." For more information about Grace Chapel and Grace Chapel Worship, visitgracechapel.net. About Josiah's House: Located in San Pedro De Marcoris, Josiah's House, once completed, will be a complex of four homes housing a total of 32 boys, along with one married couple (house parents), in a family setting. The mission of Josiah's House is to give each child an education, Biblical guidance, life skills, and dailyaffirmation of God's love for them. In partnership with SCORE International and Grace Chapel, Josiah's House provides destitute boys with a place of hope. The vision is to expand the project to include a similar facility for destitute girls. For more information about Josiah's House visit josiahshouse.net.

Proverbs Prayers by John Mason - REVIEWED

About the Book:
Experience the wisdom of God in your life as never before
The book of Proverbs is a wellspring of wisdom, offering practical guidance for life and the tools to make good choices, withstand pressure, prioritize relationships, and avoid unnecessary trouble. 

Now bestselling author John Mason helps you make that wisdom a part of your inner life. For thirty-one days, he takes you through each chapter of Proverbs, unpacking the wisdom within and providing a heartfelt prayer based on the insights from that chapter. As you read and pray, you'll discover the principles found in this wisdom-packed book coming alive in your life in ways you may never have imagined.

My Thoughts:

“Lord, I choose today to pay close attention to wisdom and listen intently to understanding.  By doing so, I will exercise discretions, and what I say will be wise and fill of knowledge. In what areas do I need to grow in wisdom and understanding?”  (p. 29)

Praying God’s Word is a concept that was introduced to me in and past year or so, and, if I’m honest, sometimes I can’t seem to figure out what that looks like in regard to some scripture.  John Mason has been led by God to pen prayers using Proverbs.  This is a powerful prayer devotional, and a great teaching tool to model praying scripture. 

This devotional also includes a breakdown by topic for someone wanting to pray specifically and directly for areas of their own life or someone else who needs wisdom and direction from God in a certain area.  This would make an amazing gift for a spiritual leader in your life, and will serve as a powerful tool in your personal prayer time as well!

Please, consider this powerful encounter with Proverbs today!

About the Author:

John Mason is a bestselling author, minister, and speaker. He is the founder and president of Insight International and Insight Publishing Group, organizations dedicated to helping people reach their God-given dreams. He lives in Oklahoma.

Called to Pray by Linda Evans Shepherd - REIVEWED

About the Book:
When you feel a nudge to pray, what will you do?
Most of us have felt it at one time or another: that unexplained prompting in our hearts to stop and pray for a friend, a loved one, or even a stranger. Sometimes we are even awakened from a deep sleep with an even deeper need to go to God in prayer. Where do those urges come from? Are they truly from God? Or are they merely stray thoughts? And if we respond in prayer, are others' lives affected at all?

In Called to Pray, Linda Evans Shepherd shares dozens of inspiring true stories of people who have heeded God's call to pray and the astonishing results of those impromptu prayers. Through accounts of people being protected from harm and rescued from danger, of needs being met and hearts being encouraged, you'll see that God is involved in an active and dynamic relationship with us--and that we can be part of his plan to bless others.

If you have ever wondered if prayer has any real effect or doubted that God communicates with us personally, this heart-stirring book will amaze, inspire, and equip you to respond to those holy promptings.

My Thoughts:

“Let me proclaim you power to this new generation, your mighty miracles to all who come after me.” (Psalm 71: 18 NLT)

This verse is one of many that appears throughout Linda Evans Shepherd’s book, Called to Pray. God has given her Scripture that reflects the essence of the intercessory call to pray that guides each person in their particular situation.  God’s Word faithfully equips His children to hear and respond to His voice.  The Holy Spirit does indeed call us to pray for others, and the more often we respond to these nudges, the more effectively, promptly and eager we are to pray for others.

Many times the urgency of the matter is not revealed until the situation has passed, and other times we may never know exactly why we are prompted to pray.  Shepherd’s book illustrates this beautifully.  As you read, you may recognize similar occurrences in your own prayer life, and you will become strengthened in your prayer life and eager to learn more about God’s call to pray in your life.

Once again, God has purposefully placed this book in my life, “for such a time as this.”  I’ve been learning more and more about following the Holy Spirit’s direction in my life, and I’ve recently experienced  answers to prayer that have been very encouraging indeed!! 

I highly recommend this book as a source of encouragement and strength for all Christ-followers! 

About the Author:
Linda Evans Shepherd is an award-winning author, a popular speaker, and a radio personality. The president of Right to the Heart Ministries, she is the author of several books, including When You Don't Know What to Pray, Experiencing God's Presence, and The Stress Cure. She and her husband live in Colorado.

The Fervent Tour!!

Brother & Sister Duo Priscilla Shirer & Anthony Evans Join Together for Nights of Worship & The Word on The Fervent Tour To Launch in 2016 New York Times Bestselling Author Shares How To Experience God to the Fullest  & The Voice Alumni Performs Hits from Chart-Topping Album Real Life Real Worship Select Markets to Feature Their Father Dr. Tony Evans

Los Angeles, Calif. (Dec. 1, 2015)-  On the heels of the #1 box office hit Warroom, author and speaker Priscilla Shirer will join her brother, celebrated worship artist Anthony Evans, for the nationwide Fervent Tour in February 2016. Registration will be open starting December 1. The winter event is the follow up to the fall leg of the tour that was a sold out success. Produced by Anthony Evans Productions/Entertainment in conjunction with Jerry Shirer and Going Beyond Ministries, the inspirational event will kick off in Springdale, Ark., on February 15 and visit major markets including Austin, Texas, Oklahoma City and Nashville, Tenn., closing in Cumming, Ga., on February 26. See a full list of tour dates below. The evenings of Worship and the Word will include the New York Times best-selling author’s dynamic teaching approach on how everyone can experience the power of prayer in miraculous and practical ways. Additionally, Evans will perform songs from his Billboard chart-topping album Real Life Real Worship.This will be the first major event Evans will make after his acting debut in the feature film Caged No More, where Evans co-stars alongside Emmy winning actress Loretta Divine and Kevin Sorbo. The film, produced by the team who brought you God’s Not Dead, is set to open in theaters nationwide January 22. Lastly, guests in select markets will even witness the preaching of their father, mega church pastor, author and radio personality Dr. Tony Evans. For more information on The Fervent Tour, please go towww.theferventtour.com. FerVent Winter Tour - February 2016 February 15 - Springdale, AR February 16 - Austin, TX February 17 - San Antonio, TX February 18 - College Station, TX (Kingdom Family Conference featuring Dr. Tony Evans) February 19 - Houston, TX (Kingdom Family Conference featuring Dr. Tony Evans) February 20 - Oklahoma City, OK February 21 - Wichita, KS February 22 - Memphis, TN February 23 - Nashville, TN February 24 - Charlotte, NC February 25 - Charleston, SC February 26 - Cumming, GA

Every Crooked Path by Steven James - REVIEWED - and releasing today!!!!

About the Book:
Who is the Piper? . . .

Special Agent Patrick Bowers returns in an electrifying prequel to the Bowers Chess series from critically acclaimed, national bestselling novelist Steven James. 

A mysterious suicide and a series of abductions draw Patrick into a web of intrigue involving an international conspiracy where no one is who they appear to be and the stakes have never been higher.

Soon, Patrick discovers that the secret to stopping the Piper’s current crime spree lies in unlocking answers from an eight-year-old cold case—and the only way to do that is by entering the terrifying world of the conspirators himself.

Dark, probing, and chilling, Every Crooked Path takes an unflinching look at the world of today’s cybercrimes and delves into a parent’s worst nightmare as it launches a new chapter of Patrick Bowers thrillers.

My Thoughts:

Love sets us free.  But in many ways it also holds us captive.”  (p. 274)

This statement captures the essence of Steven James’ latest novel, Every Crooked Path.  This novel takes readers back to Patrick Bowers' relationship with Christie and introduces us to our first glimpses of Tessa.  The novel fills in much of the backstory that makes Patrick Bowers such a memorable and vibrant character in the minds of the readers who have come to care so much about this broken FBI agent.

To me, this is one of the darker books in Patrick Bowers’ life.  It deals with a subject that has ripped the hearts out of many lives and something that feeds the darkest addictions known to humankind.  James’ still writes with great clarity, and each of his characters’, no matter which side of the law they fall on, are so well developed that you come away from the pages feeling as though you KNOW these people, and somehow, they touch the essence of your heart. 

This is an unbelievably difficult journey for these characters.  By the end, you wish you could read with your eyes closed.  It’s pretty intense!  But, that is why I remain a very ardent fan of Steven James’ writing.  He captures the human spirit directly, succinctly and so truly, that anyone who comes to the pages of his novels has to do some honest self-evaluation.  He shines the light on some of the darkest places of the human heart, but he also weaves in the truth of redemption – couched amid honest and probing questions.  It’s like looking at your faith through the lens of intense trauma and deciding where your heart lies within the scope of that faith - or lack thereof.

RUN to the store and buy this book!  RUN!! You will not sleep much as you devour this story, but you will come away changed.  Once again, I must say with deepest appreciation, BRAVO!!!

About the Author:

Steven James is the national bestselling author of nine novels including the critically acclaimed thrillers Checkmate, The King, Opening Moves, and The Queen. He has won three Christy Awards for best suspense and was a finalist for an International Thriller Award. His thriller The Bishop was named Suspense Magazine’s book of the year. Publishers Weekly calls him ”[a] master storyteller at the peak of his game.” He has a master's degree in storytelling and has taught writing and creative communication around the world. When he's not writing or speaking, you'll find him trail running, rock climbing, or drinking a dark roast coffee near his home in eastern Tennessee.

Keeping Christmas by Dan Walsh - REVIEWED

About the Book:
Nothing is more beautiful than family
For the first time since their children were born, empty nesters Judith and Stan Winters spent Thanksgiving without the kids, and it's looking like Christmas will be the same. Judith can't bring herself to even start decorating for the holiday; her kids always hung the first ornaments on the tree, ornaments they had made each year since they were toddlers. Sure, the ornaments were strange-looking--some were downright ugly--but they were tradition.

With Judith refusing to decorate the bare spruce tree in their living room, Stan's only hope for saving the holiday is found in a box of handmade ornaments . . .

My Thoughts:

“Name one thing I do that’s  important or essential. One thing I do that makes a difference.”  (p. 45)

Judith really took an extreme view of her role of wife and mother when her children can’t make it home for Christmas.  Depression is a real response to the holiday season for many.  Whether it is the natural progression of children leaving home, the death of a spouse, divorce…there are many things that change the trajectory of family traditions, and the first encounter with that change sometimes hits harder than planned.

I could identify with many of Judith’s emotions, because the first couple of holidays after my divorce – especially when I was alone – were emotionally difficult.  Dan Walsh deals with these emotions realistically in his latest novella, Keeping Christmas.  His solution revealed a selflessness that many wish could be found in their spouse during the holidays! J 

This was a touching story, and a stark reminder that if our review remains focused on our unmet expectations instead of others, we will always be disappointed and depressed by the holiday season.  I know I’ve discovered the only way through many, if not all, of these emotions is to focus on serving others.  That’s what the holidays are supposed to look like anyway.  Merry Christmas!

About the Author:

Dan Walsh is the bestselling author of several books, including The Dance and The Promisewith Gary Smalley, as well as The Unfinished Gift, The Discovery, and The Reunion. He has won three Carol Awards, and two of his novels were finalists for RT Book Reviews Inspirational Book of the Year for 2011 and 2012. A member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Dan served as a pastor for twenty-five years. He lives with his wife in the Daytona Beach area, where he's busy researching and writing his next novel. Visit www.danwalshbooks.com for more.

The Aleppo Code by Terry Brennan - REVIEWED

About the Book:
Will the code reveal history's most powerful weapon for destruction--or humanity’s only hope? 

The living members of Tom Bohannon's band of adventurers gather again in Jerusalem--physically battered, emotionally exhausted, spiritually challenged, and in various stages of shock--to examine a copy of the tenth-century Aleppo Code, the oldest complete text of Jewish scripture. What the clues inside reveal could lead to the reuniting of the Ark of the Covenant with its true source of power, a weapon that could lead to victory for this ragged bunch trying to save the world. 

Hunted by the relentless assassins of the Prophet's Guard and caught in the web of an international conspiracy plotting the conquest of Europe, Bohannon's team searches the ruins of Ancient Babylon. Their search lands them amid the chaos that engulfs western Iraq, but they must press on to accomplish one of the most pivotal pieces of end-times prophecy. This intrepid group will uncover secrets that require them to risk everything for their faith, their country, and the peace of all mankind. 

Unfolding against the backdrop of an Israeli/U.S. strike against Iran and the planned economic overthrow of the European Union by the sinister, secret head of the international Muslim Brotherhood, The Aleppo Code is a heart-pounding race. Brennan takes an epic story on a grand scale and tells it primarily through the eyes of one man who is desperately trying to save the world as he follows God's purpose for his life.  

My Thoughts:
 “That’s not a very wise prescription for you future health.”  (p. 365)

Truer words have never been spoken!  Between those called to protect the secrets of the ancient scrolls, the Temple Mount, and everything the prophet Jeremiah revealed in scripture, there are a host of people on both sides of every issue presented in this book.  The United States and Israel join in ways I hope never become reality, the Muslims and Jewish people are continuing to war, The Prophet’s Guard and Bohannon’s eclectic gang of self-appointed (God-called) protectors of the Cipher are trying to kill one another…..I’m telling you that every single page of this novel is jam-packed with information, action, intense personal sacrifice…this is a book for everyone!!

Terry Brennan has woven fact and fiction in such a way that it becomes hard to know where one begins and one ends.  The secrets of the ancient texts go back centuries, and he is good enough to outline fact and fiction at the end of the book.  But, in the meanwhile, strap in for a wild and exhilarating ride!! And don’t think things settle down too much…because those last pages will leave you sputtering in disbelief!!  This is GOOD!!!

Don’t miss The Aleppo Code!!

About the Author:

Terry Brennan is the award-winning author of The Sacred Cipher and The Brotherhood Conspiracy, the first two books in The Jerusalem Prophecies. He is also a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and has received the Freedoms Foundation award for editorial writing. Brennan is currently chief administrative officer for Care for the Homeless in New York City. More on Brennan can be found at www.terrybrennanauthor.com.