Unusual Package, Undeniable Joy

I was excited when this CD came in the mail. My sweet husband, who loves listening to all kinds of music, volunteered to review this for all of us. Here's what he had to say!

“For Your Kingdom” is a collection of twelve songs plus a short and possibly unneeded introduction. There is musical variety and superior vocal talent. The lyrics emphasize praising of God, emphasizing His majesty and often mentioning the worshiper's feeling of being overwhelmed with peace and joy, but they go beyond this point, and unlike much contemporary music, they speak of a resolve to worship and serve God.

The musical quality is excellent, whether the songs are calm or energetic, and some songs build from quiet reflection to bold celebration [“We Cry Holy”]. One-third of the songs have a style that, to my aging ears, can be described as “electro-techno-dance club pop”. Whatever it is, I don't care for it . . . but the professional performance is still evident. The only shortcoming I heard is that sometimes the vocal control of the female lead singer is so precisely delivered that it loses personality.

While the production values of the content are high, the packaging is strange. It's hard to tell if Higher Vision is the name of a production company, a church, or a musical group. The songs credits are given, but neither the male lead singer nor the female lead singer are identified. It looks like an “in-house” album, where everyone involved in presenting the result and most of the people who will hear it are already in the know. This is probably the case; the executive producer is the pastor of Higher Vision Church in California, and co-wrote several of the songs. It is easy to be caught up in the reverence, joy and desire to serve God evidenced in this album, but just adding a few names crediting the singers and musicians would have improved the personal connection and increased the impact.

“For Your Kingdom” is overall a very good album. After I listened to it twice for review purposes, I brought it out again three days later and enjoyed it again . . . yes, even the “electro-techno” songs. [A little, anyway]

For more information, check them out here: www.highervisionworship.com

This reviewer received the product free or at a discounted price in order to bring you an honest review. No other form of compensation was given. All opinions are those of the reviewer.

Roaming Through Time Giveaway #2 from 1ByOne

Roaming Through Time Giveaway #2 from 1ByOne ~ 1 Lucky Winner ~ Ends 7/01

This is something my husband would really, really like!

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Cynthia Ruchti Draws You In Right From The First Page Of Her New Book Song Of Silence

I was excited to receive a copy of this book by Cynthia Ruchti. I love her writing. This book was by no means a disappointment. Right from the beginning, she gets a hold of your heart and draws you in to the world she has created on the pages. The fact that this book centers around the love of God and music really captured me. Music is important to me and God has used it in so many special ways in my own life.

The characters feel so real. Cynthia developed them so deeply that you feel like you know them personally. I found myself caught up in their emotions and troubles as well as the way God moved in their lives in a very special way. It was so easy to see through their story how God has done similar things in my life.

This is a wonderful book, and I highly recommend it to you!

About the book:
Music taught Lucy love and beauty. Could silence teach her hope?

Lucy and Charlie Tuttle agree on one thing: they’re committed to each other for life. Trouble is, neither of them expected life to look like this. Charlie retired early, but Lucy is devoted to a long-term career . . . until the day she has no choice.

Forced to retire from her position as music educator in a small Midwestern K-8 school, Lucy can only watch helplessly as the program her father started years ago disintegrates before her eyes. As the music fades and a chasm separates her form the passion of her heart, Lucy wonders if her faith’s song has gone silent, too. The musical score of her life seems to be missing all the notes.

When a simple misstep threatens to silence Lucy forever, a young boy and his soundless mother change the way she sees—and hears—everything.

Learn more and purchase a copy HERE.

About the author:
Cynthia Ruchti tells stories hemmed in hope. She’s the award-winning author of 17 books and a frequent speaker for women’s ministry events. She serves as the Professional Relations Liaison for American Christian Fiction Writers, where she helps retailers, libraries, and book clubs connect with the authors and books they love. She lives with her husband in Central Wisconsin.

This reviewer received the product free or at a discounted price in order to bring you an honest review. No other form of compensation was given. All opinions are those of the reviewer.

Jeff Gold's Newest CD ~ Escapes And You Could Win A Copy

When I received Jeff Gold's album Escapes, I knew what to expect without the rest of the title. Jeff's passion is to produce music for relaxing. He wants his work to be suitable for “massage, yoga, scenic drives or just winding down.” I was also familiar another of his albums, Simple Treasures. While Jeff is proficient in composing, arranging, performing and producing, I am not part of his primary intended audience. I'm not into massage, yoga or scenic drives, and my “winding down” music is usually classic rock. Nevertheless, having been impressed by Simple Treasures, I decided to give this collection a chance.

I chose a day when I would be involved in two book reviews, sorting papers, and preparing a lesson from the book of Nehemiah. Jeff's music would be my way of “escaping” traffic sounds and background noise. I usually don't play music during such projects, since I can be drawn away from concentration by favorite lyrics or a familiar guitar riff. These instrumentals, if anything like what I had heard before, would have nothing jarring or distracting.

I immediately noticed that the emphasis was on piano, unlike the piano and violin basis of Simple Treasures. Then I got busy and the music went into the background of my thoughts. But about 25 minutes into this hour long CD, I suddenly realized that the guitar was the lead instrument. I thought, “When did that happen?” At around the 40 minute mark, I was aware of a shift toward woodwinds. Yet the transitions were achieved without abrupt changes. The tempo and style were consistent enough to maintain the meditative tone throughout the entire CD.

Escapes escapes the usual fate of such albums, which so often become repetitious and vapid. Jeff makes “music for relaxing” that isn't boring – even to me, and that's unusual. If this is the kind of thing you like, you should hear this one [and you can, at www.jeffgoldmusic.com]. I can honestly say that, while it won't replace any of my Bob Seger or Tom Petty albums, it will stay in my collection and will be heard again.

We can highly recommend the album to you and you can purchase it HERE!

Jeff, who by the way is a very nice man, has generously offered to give on of my readers their own copy of his Escaped CD! Use the Rafflecopter below to enter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Open to Continental US Residents only. Must be 18 or older to enter. Limit one entry per household/address. All entries will be verified. Winner will have 24 hours to respond to winning notification if if no response then another winner will be chosen. Contest ends at 12:01 AM 2/18/15. The Minister's Wife Stamps and Saves is not responsible for the delivery of the prize. The company sponsoring this giveaway is solely responsible for the delivery of the prize to the winner(s). The Minister's Wife Stamps and Saves is not responsible for lost or misdirected emails or physical mail. This giveaway is in no way administered, sponsored, or endorsed by, or associated with, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google, Instagram, or any other social media. Void where prohibited by law.

We received samples of the products for the purpose of review. No other compensation was given. All opinions expressed here are those of the author.