It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!
You never know when I might play a wild card on you!
and the book:
Grand Central Publishing; 1 edition (February 22, 2010)
Tiffany L. Warren, is an author, playwright, songwriter, mother and wife. Her debut novel What a Sista Should Do, was released in June of 2005 and has ministered to over 50,000 readers. Her second book, Farther than I Meant to Go, Longer than I Meant to Stay was a national bestseller. In 2006, Tiffany and her husband, Brent, founded Warren Productions and released their first gospel musical. What a Sista Should Do - The Stage Play debuted in Cleveland, OH at the famed Allen Theatre.
Now, to follow my own "suggestion" I kept it just as you see it. I didn't clean anything off (except my cup because I went to get a drink when I set my timer). I took my picture and went to set the timer. My challenge while cleaning the desk? Don't get on the computer! It was right there in front of me. I was a bit distracted by a DVD I had running.
The Word of Promise® New Testament Audio Bible (NKJV)After listening to the CD, I'd have to say my favorite actor to listen to was Lou Gosset Jr. He has such a rich, convincing voice. I didn't feel as though I was being read to. Each actor/actress made theirs a vital part of the coming alive of the New Testament. The only downside for me was that I listened to it while I was driving so I couldn't flip through the little booklet that comes with the set that tells who is acting out each part. I'd hear a voice and do my best to pick out which actor I thought it might be.
I have to be honest in my personal response to the role of Jim Caviezel as Jesus. I like him as an actor, but I wasn't sure I'd like him as Jesus, again. He played Jesus in The Passion and did it spectacularly. I kind of cringed when I found out he was the voice of Jesus. I didn't feel his voice carried the strength of Jesus. He seemed to be begging us to believe him as he "acted" out his part. I just wasn't convinced and couldn't get into his narration.
I felt the creators did a good job on the background noises to help the listener feel a part of moment. I also felt the music lent itself well to the mood of the reading. The cast and sound effects makes this Audio Bible and experience. I know there are many versions of the Bible on audio, but they truly can't compare to a dramatic reading such as this. And to have such a wonderful selection of artists as part of it, made the listening that much more enjoyable.
I received my review copy from Thomas Nelson.
If I were to compare Meredith Andrews' sound I would have to say she reminds me of Jewel. I don't know if she would be ok with that, but that's who her voice reminds me of. I actually like Jewel's sound and in turn really loved Meredith! Hey, did I mention my real name is Meredith? Honestly, it is.
I wouldn't categorize As Long As It Takes as a worship-y album, because I think you could say that about any Christian recording. They all worship the Lord whether it's with Rock, Alternative, Hymns, etc. That being said, Meredith has some amazing, sing it at church songs. Not only that, she has a couple of crank-it-up songs. I'm so excited to have this CD as we head into Spring & Summer because I can roll my windows down and share with the world as I rock out in worship!
There is a real sweetness to this CD that I think can't be missed. If you are needing songs that help you return to your first Love, remind you of the One who gave His life for you, or to just open up your arms and worship full-out, As Long As It Takes would be the CD to get!
No 1. NEVER MOVE ON: Do you ever have those worship songs where you are rockin' out lovin' the Lord? That would be this song...volume HIGH! Head to the cross, stay there and never move on!
No. 2 ONLY TO BE YOURS: Ready to be emptied? Need a song to inspire you to get to that place? This is that song. Close your eyes and lift those hands!
No. 3 CAN ANYBODY HEAR ME: Love singing this song when I'm driving in the car! I know that God can hear me, even when I feel as though He's so far away. We can't be separated from His love (remember that!)
No. 4 AS LONG AS IT TAKES: Are you a talker like I am when it comes to communicating with the Lord? I'm sure you've heard as I have that it's so good to wait (as long as it takes) to hear His voice. This song encourages us to stay in that place to hear from Him.
No. 5 COME HOME: This is a song Meredith dedicated to her brother. What a poigniant song begging him to come home, away from the lies he's bought into. This song touched me personally and brought the tears. Makes me want to hold my daughter.
No. 6 ALL WILL FADE AWAY: I want to say this song is somewhat ethereal, but I'm not sure that's the right wording. I picture Meredith singing on the side of a beautiful cliff, alone, arms raised to the Lord knowing that everything here will disappear one day when our time here is through.
No. 7 WHAT IT MEANS TO LOVE: Strong and powerful song. Sometimes meeting one person won't allow us to go back to how our lives were before that meeting. Meeting the Lord is a one of those times where we won't be the same after we know Him.
No. 8 LIVE THROUGH ME: Kind of a rock-y, edgy song, especially during the chorus. Definitely a song my girls would like! If we give Him room, allow ourselves to be the clay, God can work through us!
No. 9 MY SOUL SINGS: Another great roll-your-windows down kind of song! A great worship type song. How can our souls not sing with the love of the Lord?
No. 10 IN YOUR ARMS: Complete surrender kind of song. I can totally see our worship leader leading our church in this song. Replace the loudness of this world for the quiet and peace of the Lord. You gain such a strength in the words of this song of God's grace and mercy.
No. 11 HOW GREAT IS THE LOVE: SO powerful! Honestly, how great is the love of our Savior? Would be a perfect song for Easter. Bummer that I didn't listen to this sooner because I could completely see this song being sung during our offering time! So, so powerful. God saved us, he redeemed us, He died & rose for...US. What an amazing love that is!
So, where can you find Meredith Andews? You can learn more about her at her website http://www.meredithandrews.com/ From there she can be found on Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace! At Meredith's site you can find her tour dates, see pictures from performances and sign up for her newsletter! You can even shop her site!
I would like to thank Word Label Group for the review & giveaway copies of As Long As It Takes.
I just found out that I will be able to giveaway Meredith's CD As Long As It Takes!! So, here is how you can win:
Required: Follow Meredith on Twitter and leave me your Twitter name.
Giveaway open to US Residents who are at least 18 yrs or older. Must leave an email or have it available in your profile. No email/profile = No entry. Giveaway will ends 4/15, 10pm CDT. Void where prohibited.
Extra Entries:
*Follow Woven by Words (1 entry)
*Tweet this giveaway (1 entry daily) "RT Win a copy of Meredith Andrew's CD "As Long As It Takes"! Awesome music!! @meremusic http://bit.ly/9ypPeI"
*Follow my new review site Marvelous Mom Reviews (2 entries, comment 2x)
*Sign up for the Word Label Group Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the happenings of their great artists (2 entries, comment 2x) middle of homepage
*Become Meredith's Fan on Facebook and leave a message "I'm entered to win your CD at Woven by Words". Leave me your FB name (2 entries, comment 2x)
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*Purchase anything from Meredith's Shop (5 entries per purchase, comment 5x) will be verified
Whether you're young or young at heart, you are going to love this CD. These guys are modern Christian rock and it shows throughout the entire CD. Their songs each have a great depth of sharing their faith and walk with the Lord. They challenge the younger generation not to be complacent in their walk with the Lord, of course that could apply to anyone at any age.
I have 3 copies of Me In Motion's self titled CD to giveaway! Would you love to win a copy?
Required: Follow Me In Motion on their Facebook page saying you are entering to win one of their CD's from Woven by Words. Leave a comment with your FB name to be verified.
Giveaway open to US residents at least 18 yrs old. Must leave an email or have it available in your profile. No email/contact = Ne entry. Giveaway ends 4/13, 10pm CDT. Void where prohibited.
Extra Entries:
Follow Woven by Words (1 entry)
Follow MiM on Twitter (1 entry)
Tweet about this giveaway (1 entry DAILY) "RT Me In Motion CD Giveaway! 3 WINNERS!! If you're a "Loser" you will ♥ this CD! @meinmotionband http://bit.ly/bsGvvD"
Follow me on Twitter (1 entry)
Sign up for MiM Newsletter (1 entry)
Follow my new product review site Marvelous Mom Reviews (2 entries, comment 2x)
Sign up for the Centricity Music Newsletter (2 entries, comment 2x) bottom of homepage
Purchase Centricity Music Sale of the Week (5 entries, comment 5x) must be confirmed and MiM is their sale of the week for $5
Here Burns My Candle
I'm so thrilled to be working with Ashley from CSN. Their selection of departments to shop from is mind boggling! One of the departments I'm looking at right now is their bar stools. Yes, bar stools! We have a counter that doubles as a eating bar and that's where my boys always love to eat.
The boys have Spring Break next week so I was planning on taking them to see the movie! We've been excited since the Super Bowl commercials for it to come out!
I'd also like to thank Megan from Twittermoms.com for letting us know about the opportunity to share this with our followers!
Spend 30 minutes cleaning or organizing. Once that time is up, take your finished picture. Even if it isn't perfect or a completed project, take a picture! It will be a great reminder to you of what you've accomplished in a short period of time. It's ok not to finish, and that's what we have to be ok with. The fact that there was an attempt (at least at my house) is fantastic! If you finish before the 30 minutes, let us know. I think often I "know" cleaning this or that will take at least 3 hours when in reality it only might take 15 mintues or 47 minutes. In my mind, the pile or mess becomes Mt. Kilimanjaro!
Down the road I might implement some spots for us to work on as an assignment, maybe get the kids involved. It's just a thought. We'll see what comes of this. If everyone is mortified about airing their dirty laundy (literally) then I won't worry about it. =)
Alright, I'm no doctor, but I've been living with myself for 40 yrs now. I have a feeling I know myself better than anyone. I think I'm being affected by SAD. It's a phenomenon I'd never heard of until a few years ago.
I want to state for the record that WebMD says we should not diagnose ourselves and that we should see a specialist! I completely agree.
I think I have a hard time during this time of the year for a number of reasons. Work is cut back significantly. The last 3 yrs I have worked 3 days a week through the winter, but this year, I'm cut back to 2. Thankfully last week I worked a full week working in a different department. But, 1 week out of 5 isn't helpful to my brain, my body, or my checkbook!
This year I have definitely gained weight. Not a lot that people can tell by looking at me, but my jeans can tell. I can feel it and it's not a good feeling! I haven't felt this way for years and years. I've been eating out of boredom and sitting at home I seem to be hungry more often.
Definitely having issues with fatigue. I took a nap today that was an hour and a half and when I woke up, I wanted to keep sleeping. Of course, but then 1/2 my day was gone. I hate wasting mornings to sleep.
And the issue I'm having the hardest time with is my desire to be alone. I have no desire to call anyone, do anything, or be involved in any activities. When I look back at my time when my girls were little, I was so active! I was volunteering at the elementary school constantly. I knew all the teachers, knew all of their friends. It was so much fun. I have all of this time on my hands and you'd think I'd do something with it. Nah, seems I'd rather sit at home in my pajamas and on the computer getting absolutely nothing accomplished.
What I do know is I can't continue this way. I will end up a 200 lb blob with absolutely no friends and depressed 24/7/365 if I don't do something. The hard part is finding the desire to do that something! Yesterday I went and did some running around and I was exhausted by the end of the day. How ridiculous is that? Tomorrow I'm going to my son's school to make pancakes to celebrate "If You Give A Pig A Pancake".
I've learned over the last couple weeks that I probably won't do well with retirement unless I keep busy. I always thought, "Oh, I can't wait until I retire. I'll sit around reading books, watching tv, and just doing nothing in general." Surprise, guess I don't know myself as well as I thought!
