Speaking Louder than Before
By Faith_Mom | December 4, 2008
A Review of Jeremy Camp’s new album.
Album Title: Speaking Louder than Before
Artist: Jeremy Camp
Label: bec recordings
Category: Christian/Rock/Contemporary
MOF Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Intro: An inspiring and soul awakening album that is sure to remain in your CD player and ipod list for years to come!
Review: I am a HUGE Jeremy Camp fan and I recently acquired his newest album, Speaking Louder than Before. Jeremy Camp has a gift. His music and lyrics touch your soul. When I heard, Speaking Louder than Before, I could feel the anointing.
For those of you who do no know who do not know who Jeremy Camp is, let me share a little bit about him. Jeremy Camp has had 16 No. 1 songs, five Dove Awards, three ASCAP Songwriter of the Year wins and an American Music Award nomination. He is the son of a pastor and sold out for Jesus Christ.
He has been through pain and sorrow with the loss of his first wife to cancer. Yes, it hurt and he suffered, however, his faith became stronger through the sorrow. Now, remarried with two young children and a new home base in Nashville he is refreshed and Speaking Louder than Before, and this album showcases that in spade!
Speaking Louder than Before is an album of surrender. Willing joy-filled surrender to the throne. There is definitely a Kingdom mentality coming through the lyrics. He has come full circle. He knows who and WHOSE he is.
I get chills thinking about the track, Surrender. It is an AWESOME song. It is what I want…to completely be surrendered to my Daddy God.
A few others that really stood out for me are Giving You all Control. It is another song of surrendering is all to the Lord.
There will be a day makes me cry. It is a wonderful reminder that this world is not our own. This world is hard to live in. There is so much pain and sorrow. However, there is HOPE! We have a future with our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
The title song, Speaking Louder than Before is about reaching this generation and remembering that we have a hope to share, LOUDER than before!
All of the songs on Speaking Louder than Before are encouraging, Truth, life-giving, and make you want to dance and cry out to the Lord and look forward to an eternity with a Loving Savior!
Conclusion: This is a GREAT gift for a loved one, stocking stuffer, or a great treat to yourself. I also think this is a fabulous CD to give to a teenager. They need to have their ears filled with Truth in a world where evil is screaming louder than ever.
I am honored to have done this review and I pray that God continue to bless his son, Jeremy Camp. I pray that God continue to give him a voice that touches our souls and helps us want to Speak LOUDER than Before!!!
One last thought…BUY this album. Do not be tempted to burn it. Bless the servant of God and buy it. You WILL be blessed in many ways!
God Bless,
Topics: Announcements, Christmas, Entertainment, Fun, Health, Holidays, Moms, Music Reviews, Parenting, Teenagers, mommy time | 1 Comment »
Praying for your Husband is Vital to your Marriage
By Faith_Mom | December 3, 2008
As wives, Christian wives, I do not think we realize the power of prayer and the importance of it in marriage. We have a responsibility as Christian wives to be help meets to our husbands, and part of that means praying for them every day.
I know for me personally, praying for my husband when we are on the outs is VERY hard. I find myself praying that God “fix HIM!” LOL! Unfortunately, that sort of prayer is not going to benefit you, your husband or your marriage.
Pray [also] for one another, that you may be healed and restored to a spiritual tone of mind and heart. The earnest heartfelt, continued prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available dynamic in its working. - James 5:16b
We MUST pray for our husbands. It is life changing and powerful for them, our children and our marriages. Every day we should be praying throughout our day…especially when we are fighting or irritated with them. THAT is the BEST time to pray for them….IF the pray is FOR them and not ABOUT them!
What causes us to pray ABOUT them instead of FOR them?
I mean, many times when we are upset with our husbands, we ask God to fix their issues instead of asking God to bless them.
Back to Causes…
- unforgiveness
- bitterness
- selfishness
- pride
- denial
- unrealistic expectations
We are all fallen. Our husbands are not perfect and never will be. They will ALWAYS let us down in one way or another. That is just the way it is. A great way to see how God focused you and and where you are in your personal relationship with Him is to do a self check.
What do I mean?
Let me explain…
We ALL have had some sort of unrealistic expectation in our marriages. This world makes it very difficult for a wife to have a REALISTIC view of what a husband should be.
Worldly Perspective:
- husband should buy chocolates and flowers
- husband should meet all my needs
- husband should be romantic and sweep me off my feet
- husband should love me no matter how fat I get
- husband should remember everything
- husband should read my mind
God’s Word Perspective:
- wife is to be a help meet to her husband and that means HELP him…they do not forget because they do not love us, the forget because they need help. Period.
- wife is to love and forgive her husband.
- wife is to honor and respect her husband
- wife is to pray for her husband
- and most IMPORTANT…wife is to seek GOD to meet her needs and put her hope in Him, NOT her human and sin filled husband.
If you see that you have a more worldly view and feel let down by your husband, you may need to get on your knees more FOR your husband. You may also need to seek God and develop a personal relationship with Him.
Being a Christian wife is more than believing Jesus died on the Cross and rose on the third day. It is a lifestyle. It is a daily dying of self. It is growing. It is seeking God daily. It is developing a RELATIONSHIP with your Daddy in Heaven.
So, the next time you have then enemy whispering in your ear how much better so an so is as a husband, or how you should have never married this man, or poor you bologna, PRAY! Pray FOR him and pray for God to change YOU! Yes YOU!
Let’s Pray,
Daddy God, thank you for my husband. Thank You for all that he is and all that You created him to be. I pray that You bless him in all he does. I ask that You give him the secret desires of His heart. I pray that you give Him a hunger and desire for You. Lord, I ask that You wrap Your loving arms around him and let him KNOW and feel how much You love him. Lord, I pray that You heal any areas of his body that are not right or painful. I pray that you heal his heart and mind from any hurts. I pray that You keep him safe on the roads today and help him to be salt and light in the world he faces today. Lord, I ask that You help me to be a wife that brings YOU glory. Help me to love my husband. Help me to HELP my husband. Help me to pray for my husband. Help me to honor and respect my husband in thoughts, words and deeds. Lord change me. Change anything in me that does not bring YOU glory or line up with what YOUR Word says. Help ME to be a good wife and for my kids to see what a good wife and marriage should be through our marriage. Teach me Lord. Help me to have a GOD view and not a worldly view of what a marriage relationship should be. Help me see my husband the way YOU do. Help me to forgive him for his faults and come to You with my disappointments. I love YOU, Daddy! THANK YOU for loving me! In Jesus Mighty Name!
Your Homework:
Memorize: I give you a new commandment: that you should love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too should love one another. - John 13:34
Study the following Scriptures:
- Matthew 6:15, 11:25
- Luke 6:8
- John 13:34
- Romans 12:10-14
- Ephesians 4:2
- Colossians 3:13
- James 5:16
- 1Peter 4:8
Copyright © Lara Velez, All Rights Reserved
Be Blessed and BLESS your husband with PRAYER!!
Til Next Week,
Topics: Devotionals, Marriage, Moms, Prayer, Spiritual Growth | 2 Comments »
Tuesday’s Mommy Tip - Chest Congestion Reliever
By Faith_Mom | December 2, 2008
Do you have a great tip for Moms? They can be about anything (family friendly, of course) that pertains to a Mom’s life, including; beauty, kitchen, health, parenting, and so much more! Click Here to find out how YOU can join Moms of Faith’s Tuesday’s Mommy Tips!
NOTE: PLEASE read the rules. We have a few who are not posting to the ACTUAL TIP post on their blog. I need you to post your link to the actual TIP POST…NOT the main page of your site. THANK YOU!!
OK, on to this week’s Mommy tip…
Chest Congestion Reliever
I got this tip from my good friend Dianna. She emailed it to me a couple weeks ago and I must say it really does help. Before bed, take Vicks Vapor rub…or store brand equivalent and slather it all over the bottom of clean feet. Carefully put two pairs of socks over it. One is not enough to keep it from seeping through. (now for my part of the tip) Then slather some more on chest and back on the lung area and put on a fitted but not tight t-shirt. When you wake up you will feel relief. Really.
My oldest daughter balked when I made her do it, however, when she woke up, she said she slept better and her cough was more productive. My little one was better after 3 days of doing this. It’s not a miracle drug, however, it DOES work and it DID prevent us from taking the girls in for antibiotics. I have done this cough enough to know where it was heading..ESPECIALLY with my little one.
Seriously, if anything it helps you breath and sleep better…and…it helps the cough become more productive.
IMPORTANT NOTE: It DOES stain, SO, only put on old socks and clothing that you are not worried about staining.
Also, check with your doctor for little ones or alergies. I am NOT a doctor…just a Mom with something that worked for me!
Topics: Autumn, Dr. Mom, Family, Health, Moms, Parenting, Product Reviews, Teenagers, Toddlers, Tuesday's Mommy Tip, Winter, children | 3 Comments »
Happy Thanksgiving!
By Faith_Mom | November 27, 2008
Hello Moms of Faith! I want to wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with joy and laughter.
GOD BLESS YOU ALL!
http://www.momsoffaith.com/he-makes-all-things-new.htm
Sincerely,
Lara and Moms of Faith Staff!
A few leftovers recipes…
Turkey Casserole Recipe
2 C. cooked turkey breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
2 C. sliced celery
1 C. mayonnaise
3 T. grated onion
1 to 1-1/2 T. lemon juice
1/4 C. slivered almonds
1 C. grated cheese
1/2 C. chow mein noodles
Preheat oven to 350° F. In a 2-quart casserole, combine turkey, celery, mayonnaise, onion, and lemon juice. Top with almonds, cheese, and noodles. Bake about 30 minutes.
Source: razzledazzlerecipes.com
Savory Turkey Cobbler
4 tablespoons butter
2 ribs celery, sliced
1 bunch green onions, about 6 to 8, thinly sliced
6 tablespoons flour
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup leftover or canned turkey gravy, or use more chicken broth
1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon poultry seasoning
2 cups frozen mixed vegetables, thawed
3 cups diced leftover cooked turkey
Topping:
1 large egg
1/2 milk
4 tablespoons melted butter
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup cornmeal
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 tablespoon granulated sugar, optional
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 scant teaspoon poultry seasoning or crumbled rubbed sage
1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes, optional
cranberry sauce, optional
In a large saucepan, heat 4 tablespoons butter over medium-low heat until frothy; add celery and cook until celery is tender. Add green onions and cook 1 minute longer. Add 6 tablespoons flour, stirring until well blended and bubbly. Add chicken broth and turkey gravy; continue cooking, stirring, until thickened and bubbly. Add seasonings, thawed vegetables, and turkey; heat through. Pour into a buttered 9-inch square pan or 2-quart baking dish.
Heat oven to 400°
Topping: In a medium bowl, whisk 1 egg with the milk and melted butter. In another bowl, blend the 1 cup of flour with cornmeal, baking powder, salt, poultry seasoning, and parsley. With a wooden spoon, stir dry ingredients into the egg and milk mixture until well blended. Drop spoonfuls of the dough all over the hot filling. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until topping is browned and filling is bubbly.
Serve with cranberry sauce on the side, if desired. Serves 4 to 6.
Turkey Pasta Casserole With Asparagus and Cheddar Cheese
8 ounces mini penne pasta or similar shape
6 tablespoons butter
6 tablespoons flour
1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 bunch green onions, thinly sliced
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
2 cups milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning blend, or to taste
2 cups cooked asparagus, cut in 1-inch pieces
3 cups diced cooked turkey
8 ounces shredded Sharp Cheddar cheese
1 cup soft bread crumbs
1 tablespoon melted butter
Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Heat oven to 350°
Cook pasta in boiling water following package directions.
In a large saucepan over medium-low heat, melt butter; add bell pepper and sauté until tender. Add garlic and green onion; sauté for 1 minute longer. Stir in flour until well blended. Stir in chicken broth, cooking until thickened. Stir in milk; continue cooking, stirring frequently, until thickened and hot. Add seasonings, asparagus, and turkey; heat through. Stir in cheese and cook until melted. Stir in the cooked drained pasta and pour into the prepared baking dish. Toss bread crumbs with 1 tablespoon melted butter and sprinkle over top. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until hot and bubbly.
Serves 6 to 8.
Source: southernfood.about.com
Topics: Announcements, Autumn, Cooking, Family, Holidays, Mom's Kitchen, Moms, Recipes | No Comments »
Better to Give then to Receive
By Faith_Mom | November 20, 2008
A couple weeks ago we had a womens leadership meeting at my church. We were discussing what we want to accomplish as a church with our in house single Moms during the Christmas season.
One of the ideas we came up with was a “giving tree.” I am sure most of you have seen these at grocery stores and such. It is a tree with paper ornaments on it. Each “ornament,” has a name on it and a wish list. They are usually for children who live in childrens homes. These kids usually have no contact with their families and will never know who the person blessing them was. However, it is a HUGE blessing to these kids.
We have decided to do it with the single parent families in our church. Each of these kids will make a “wish list” card and someone from the church will pick a child and fulfill their wish list.
I think this is an awesome thing, and I have had a personal experience with it. When I was about 14/15, I lived in a childrens home. I had no contact with my Mother for months. Christmas rolled around and I was only 1 of 3 kids left in the cottage. All the other children were able to go home to be with their families. I was very sad and confused.
However, on Christmas morning, there were presents under the tree for me! Every item that I had put on MY wish list was there. I was SO happy. It is the most memorable Christmas experience I ever had because someone cared enough to go beyond their own wants and care for a stranger.
Now, back to our meeting…
While we were discussing our plans, our pastors wife shared what they did one year with their daughter. She told us how their daughter grew up with lots of privileges and never really lacked for anything. So, they decided that one year they would not exchange presents. Yes, you read right, they were not going to give her any gifts. Instead, she was going to use the money they would have spent and buy gifts for needy children.
Well, of course you can imagine what people in their church thought and said…I mean this was outrageous. Not to mention what their daughter was thinking and feeling. LOL!
Fast forward several years later when their daughter became an adult…she shared with her Mother how THAT was the BEST Christmas she ever had!
WOW!
So, I leave you with these questions to ponder…
Do your kids REALLY know the meaning of Christmas? Do they know the great gift of Jesus Christ given to them? Are others…OUTSIDE your family…the priority? Do we take the time to realize that while we are shopping for ipods, clothes, jewelry and toys that there are MANY who will have NOTHING under the tree if they even have a tree?
CHRISTmas is NOT about getting gifts or piling a ton of them under the tree for our kids. It is about a savior who was born to save a dying world. It is about love. Loving others MORE than ourselves. Loving those who are dirty and poor and OUTSIDE of our family unit and comfort zone.
Aren’t you glad that God GAVE?
Topics: Christmas, Family, Holidays, Moms, Parenting, Ramblings, Spiritual Growth, Stewardship, Teenagers, Toddlers, children | 1 Comment »
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