Video: The Stool

Found this awesome video on GodTube. Great illustration!

Happy (belated) Thanksgiving!

Hope everyone had an awesome Thanksgiving! We sure did!

There is so much to be Thankful for: family, friends, good health, chocolate.. my husband and puppy! ohh and coffee! :o)

Sale: Love My Shoes (ends: 12/4)

Check out the Love my Shoes sale!

Sale: Michaels Craft Store

Saturday, November 29th sales

Monday, December 1st sales

Article: Music with a heart for the poor - CompassionArt hits shelves this week

Via: Christianity Today

Twelve CompassionArt songwriters, joined by seven genre-defining guest vocalists, have come together for an unprecedented offering to help the poorest of the poor through the 14-song charity album, CompassionArt: Creating Freedom From Poverty.

This groundbreaking recording, which includes a compelling 50-minute DVD CompassionArt documentary, will be available at both physical and digital retail outlets in Europe through Fierce!/Kingsway and sold at WH Smith stores across the UK.

Nineteen of the most well-known artists in the whole genre of Christian/Gospel music are featured on the CompassionArt recording. The songwriters on the album are Paul Baloche, Steven Curtis Chapman, Stu G, Israel Houghton, Tim Hughes, Graham Kendrick, Andy Park, Matt Redman, Martin Smith, Michael W Smith, Chris Tomlin, and Darlene Zschech. Kirk Franklin, Amy Grant, Joel Houston, Leeland Mooring, Christy Nockels, tobyMac and CeCe Winans all feature as guest vocals.

The goal of CompassionArt and this recording is to engage people everywhere to help end world poverty. None of these artists will ever receive a dime for their efforts.

CompassionArt is not a one-time Live Aid concert, nor just one We Are The World-type song, but a whole album of original songs forever donated to the poor. Songs can be heard, recorded, re-recorded and sung for generations, earning royalties for publishers when the songs are played and through a variety of other outlets over many years.

In addition to the songwriters and guest vocalists, the publishers, managers, record labels, copyright institutes and agents involved are donating their efforts on this project to CompassionArt.

“We are a global community, an underground adventure, a map being drawn as we speak that connects wealth with poverty, art with hope, compassion with despair,” says CompassionArt founder and Delirious? frontman Martin Smith. “We have united ourselves as a community of artists and songwriters to give it all away. Please join us by purchasing the album, playing these songs and singing them in your church services.

“Every CompassionArt songwriter has nominated a charitable project that will share in half the proceeds that these songs raise,” continues Smith. “The projects supported include those that offer people primary healthcare, clean water, education and more. But we also wanted to do something together; we wanted to invest the other half of the proceeds in projects that would join the dots between art and compassion.”

Four collective projects were chosen to receive 50 per cent of the proceeds from these songs: Hand of Hope, offering relief and restoration for families caught up in Mumbai’s sex trade and food and education for children scraping for survival on a rubbish dump in Phnom Penh, Cambodia; Stop The Traffik, a global movement against the trafficking of people that has more than 1,000 member organisations in 50 countries and a grassroots following of ordinary activists around the world; Ray of Hope, a team of people in remote parts of Brazil that meets the needs of children - food, education, support, advice, clothing and medical aid; and Watoto, a charity helping orphaned children to abused mothers, and helping to restore hope to people whose lives have been devastated by suffering, providing creative life centers, encouraging artistic education and plans for a better future for all.

The Littlehampton-based CompassionArt held a songwriters’ retreat in January. The 12 songwriters worked together toward a common goal to write 10-12 songs for charity, but by the end of the retreat, had completed 22 new songs. The CompassionArt songwriters began recording the songs for the CompassionArt: Creating Freedom From Poverty album in February at the famous Abbey Road Studios in London, with later recording sessions in Nashville, New York and Los Angeles. Joining the songwriters and guest vocalists to work on the album were such acclaimed musicians, producers and engineers as Josiah Bell, Matt Bronleewe, Danny Duncan, Sam Gibson, Andy Hunt, Ted Jensen, Lakewood Choir, Dan Needham, Paul Moak, Jack Joseph Puig, The Prague Philharmonic Orchestra, Tommy Sims, Akil Thompson and the Watoto African Children’s Choir.

Catching the vision of CompassionArt early, several music festivals this past summer, including a couple of the largest festivals, Creation and Cornerstone, ran a three-minute CompassionArt promotional video on their JumboTrons in support of this movement.

Notably, WH Smith, has chosen CompassionArt to be a featured Christmas release to promote in its 486 stores.

Recognised already for its charity work, CompassionArt became the recipient of the inaugural “Gospel Angel Award” presented by the Gospel Music Channel during the network's telecast of this year’s Dove Awards.

My Redeemer Lives - Team Hoyt

I love this video! It's paired with My Redeemer Lives (an awesome song) by Nicole C. Mullen.

Dick and Rick Hoyt are a father-and-son team from Massachusetts who together compete just about continuously in marathon races. And if theyre not in a marathon they are in a triathlon — that daunting, almost superhuman, combination of 26.2 miles of running, 112 miles of bicycling, and 2.4 miles of swimming. Together they have climbed mountains, and once trekked 3,735 miles across America. Its a remarkable record of exertion — all the more so when you consider that Rick can't walk or talk.

This video is an awesome representation of how awesome our God is. No matter the struggles or heartaches He carries us through to VICTORY!



Team Hoyt

Why oh Why??!?!?

Why do celebrities insist on giving their babies ridiculous names? Is there some contest that's going on that I don't know about??

Ashlee Simpson and her “Fall Out Boy” husband Pete Wentz have finally welcomed their son. The new baby's name is Bronx Mowgli Wentz.

No clue yet on the basis of the Bronx moniker.

But Mowgli is the name of the character in Rudyard Kipling’s short story “In the Rukh,” and is best known for being the lead in the popular animated film, “The Jungle Book,” inspired by Kipling’s work.

Here are some other interesting celebrity baby names from TimesOnline.com

50 craziest celebrity baby names (in alphabetical order)

Aanisah: Macy Gray (also mother to Tahmel)
Apple: Chris Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow
Astrella Celeste: Donovan and Linda Lawrence (also parents to Oriole Nebula)
Atherton Grace: Don Johnson and Kelley Phleger
Audio Science: Shannyn Sossamon
Aurelius Cy: Elle Macpherson and Arpad Busson
Blue Angel: U2's The Edge and Aislinn O'Sullivan
Bluebell Madonna: Geri Halliwell
Brooklyn: David and Victoria Beckham (also parents to Romeo and Cruz)
Calico: Alice and Sheryl Cooper (also parents to Sonora Rose)
Camera: Arthur Ashe and Jeanne Moutoussamy
Destry: Steven Spielberg and Kate Capshaw
Diezel Ky: Toni Braxton and Keri Lewis (also parents to Denim Cole)
Fifi Trixibell: Bob Geldof and Paula Yates (also parents to Peaches and Pixie)
Fuchsia: Sting and Frances Tomelty
Gaia: Emma Thompson and Greg Wise
Gulliver: Gary Oldman and Donya Fiorentino
Heaven: Lil' Mo (also mother to God'Iss Love Stone)
Heavenly Hiraani Tiger Lily: Paula Yates and Michael Hutchence
Hopper: Sean Penn and Robin Wright
Ireland: Alec Baldwin and Kim Basinger
Jaz: Steffi Graf and Andre Agassi
Jazz Domino: Joe Strummer
Jermajesty: Jermaine Jackson and Alejandra Genevieve Oaziaza (previously married to Jermaine's brother Randy)
Kal-El Coppola: Nicholas Cage (Kal-El is Superman’s original birth name)
Kyd: David Duchovny and Tea Leoni
Lark Song: Mia Farrow and André Previn
Lennon: Liam Gallagher and Patsy Kensit
Liberty: Ryan Giggs
London Emilio: Slash
Luna Coco Patricia: Frank Lampard and Elen Rive
Marquise: 50 Cent
Memphis Eve: Bono
Moon Unit: Frank Zappa, also father to Dweezil and Diva Muffin
Moxie CrimeFighter: Penn Jillette (also father to Zolten)
Ocean: Forest Whitaker (also father to Sonnet and True)
Pilot Inspektor: Jason Lee and Beth Riesgraf
Poppy Honey: Jamie and Jules Oliver (also parents to Daisy Boo)
Rocket: Robert Rodriguez (also father to Racer, Rebel and Rogue)
Rufus Tiger: Roger Taylor also father to Tiger Lily and Lola Daisy
Saffron Sahara: Simon and Yasmin Le Bon (also parents to Amber Rose and Tallulah Pine)
Sage Moonblood: Sylvester Stallone and Sasha Czack (also parents to Seargeoh)
Satchel: Spike Lee and Tonya Lewis Lee
Seven Sirius: Andre Benjamin and Erykah Badu
Shiloh Nouvel: Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie
Sosie: Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick
Suri: Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes
Tallulah: Bruce Willis and Demi Moore (also parents to Scout and Rumer)
Willow Camille Reign: Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith
Zola Ivy: Eddie Murphy and Nicole Mitchell

ok, ok.. I must confess.. Aaron & I have been talking about baby names (for the future).. and I did mention Brooklyn! Well.. hey.. Thats were I'm from... I even suggested Brooke Lynn (break it up into a first name and middle name). Aaron is not keen on it.. and this coming from the guy that named our puppy.. Lyla Butts!

Need a celebrity baby name? Well go check out YeahBaby.com for your strange baby name needs. It will generate a celebrity baby name for you. Here is what I got.

Boy: Sidewinder Dusk Gibson
Girl: Meadowlark Vixen Gibson

Guitar Hero Praise

I was joking with Aaron a while ago about a Christian version of Guitar Hero.. Well someone stole my idea! lol..

Introducing Guitar Praise!



Live the Dream! Play with Rock Stars!
Strap on the guitar and strum along with your favorite bands including Relient K, Skillet, Stellar Kart, tobyMac, Casting Crowns, Jeremy Camp, and more! With over 50 songs - each with 4 levels of difficulty - and custom lead and bass guitar notes per song.

Works with Windows and Mac computers.

Baby got Book

I thought I've heard it all.. until I came across this video.. there are no words..

Etsy Find: Colorfly Studio

While browsing through the C.A.S.T. (Christian Artist Street Team) Etsy member sites, I came across Colorfly Studio! She does amazing paper cut out prints!! Here are some pictures:

Coffee Recipe: Mocha Cinnamon Cream

Mocha Cinnamon Cream: coffee with chocolate and spiced whipped cream

1 1/2 cups coffee, hot
1/2 cup cream
3/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 tbs sugar
4 tsp chocolate syrup


Add a teaspoon of chocolate syrup to the bottom of 4 small cups. Stir together cream, 1/4 tsp cinnamon, all the nutmeg and sugar. Whip until you have soft peaks.

Stir remaining cinnamon into the hot coffee. Pour coffee into cups and stir to blend with the chocolate. Top with spiced whipped cream

.

Praise Break | Rance Allen

I think we all need a little Praise Break. A time to act a fool for JESUS! :o)

GodTube: Jon & Kate Plus 8 Stars: An Answer to Prayer

I love Jon & Kate!

Etsy Find: Larie's Creations

I love Etsy! It's the best! There are so many quality handmade vendors, it's amazing!

While browsing through the C.A.S.T. (Christian Artist Street Team) members sites I came across Larie's Creations! She has beautiful jewelry! Here are some pictures:

Grandparents 50'th Wedding Anniversary!

My grandparent's celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary! Leave it to my mom to come up with a theme. Everyone was encourage to dress in 1950's attire. Mom went went as far as printing 1950's slang words from the internet! Learning 50's lingo was not easy, but nonetheless hilarious! Here are some pictures (Aaron could not make it to the party :o/)

My Attempt @ a 50's hairdo (it took me a bit)


A family friend ready to Party


My uncle & cousin making good use of the cardboard photo prop


The men


My auntie & I


Sisters! My auntie & grandma


Playing "instruments"


singing


She made her own skirt!


The table


Lollipop cake


Our attempt in making our grandparents home a bit 50's!


My grandparents baccccckk in the day


Grandma


Grandpa


And to think, Aaron & I have 49 years 10 months to our 50th wedding anniversary! Yippee!

SALE: Vosges Chocolates

10% off web purchases at Vosges Chocolates for the month of November! Use the code 2810WB1.

What's a Million Dollars to God?

Worth it all by Rita Springer