Hear The Angels Sing

TO HEAR THE ANGELS SING

What is it like to hear the angels sing?

Can you even imagine what that heavenly chorus – a multitude of angels praising God would sound like?

We read in Scripture that the lowly shepherds heard them as an angel of the Lord announced our Savior’s birth.

Hear the angels sing

What a beautiful foretaste of the salvation to come: God gave the first message of His Son to common shepherds, those looked upon as sinners. The angel’s appearance was that of splendor and glory. This was the Shekinah glory. The angel’s message was one of reassurance and good news. He proclaimed the Messiah’s birth and charged the shepherds to visit the child.as quoted in preceptaustin.org.2

Shekinah glory – “the visible manifestation of God’s presence and glory.”3

What is it like to hear the angels praise God?

Some day when our eternity comes, we will know.

And, we will join them honoring our Heavenly Father Most High!

Hear the Angels Sing – the Greatest Gift is Jesus

When I heard Andrea Bocelli sing the “The Greatest Gift” along with his son and precious young daughter, I knew I wanted to share it here.

It’s so beautiful, the chorus of this song plays over and over in my head throughout the day!

You may want to turn up your speakers for this one. 

I don’t know about you, but I get goosebumps.

Wishing you much joy this Christmas as we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus.

 


Scripture quotation is from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

Precept Austin quotation is from the Luke 2 Commentary, [2023] Courtesy of Precept Austin, Subheading, “Some Shepherds Watching Sheep”. Web. Accessed 6 December, 2023.

3 Precept Austin quotation is from the Overview: The Glory of the Lord, [2023] Courtesy of Precept Austin, Subheading, “The Glory Cloud Of The Lord”. Web. Accessed 6 December, 2023.

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Song To Brighten Your Day

A Song (or Two) To Brighten Your Day

It’s no secret that I love music, especially Christian music.

In fact, I have so many favorite songs that it’s hard to list them all!

Theologian Martin Luther once said, “Music is one of the fairest and most glorious gifts of God.”(Martin Luther quote, n.d.)1     

It is indeed.

Music can make you happy, lift your spirits, and turn your frown upside down.

Do you need a smile and some soul-stirring today, a song or two to brighten your day?

Check out the Imani Milele Choir from Uganda, Africa.

In this video, they sing a cover of the classic, “O Happy Day” originally performed by the Edwin Hawkins Singers.

You might want to crank up your sound on this one!

A Joyful Song to Brighten Your Day 

No matter what is going on in your life, friends – let your heart sing!

We serve a God who sees everything, knows everything, and hears everything.

He is with you and me and nothing and no one can ever take that away.

I love this verse in Psalm 95.

Whether it’s in your shower or congregational singing in church, we have a blessed reason to sing for joy to the Lord.

He sent us His Son to die for us so that we can have eternal life.

Come, let’s sing for joy to the Lord,
Let’s shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation. – Psalm 95:1, (NASB).2

With great excitement, I present to you the Imani Milele Choir singing their engaging cover of “Joyful, Joyful.”

Have a blessed day!

The Lord is in this place.

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1 Martin Luther quotation. From AZquotes.com., Martin Luther (1818). “The familiar discourses of dr. Martin Luther, tr. by H. Bell”, p.428. Accessed  July 25, 2023. Web. Retrieved July 21, 2023.

Scripture quotation is from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

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Blessing Offor: Seeing God’s Light

Blessing Offor: Seeing God’s Light In The Darkness

Blessing Offor: seeing God's light

Do you like to sing in the car?

Well, me too.

A big thanks to my husband for not covering his ears.

My current favorite song for gracing the cars next to me with song (wink wink) is a No. 1 radio hit, “The Goodness” by Toby Mac. 

When I noticed the other vocalist’s name who Toby was featuring in the song, I just had to look him up.

In one word, “amazing.”

Are you familiar with Christian musician, vocalist, and songwriter – Blessing Offor?

Blessing Offor

There are so many wonderful things to say about this man and yes, “Blessing” is his real first name.

Blessing has already collaborated with many top Christian artists and shared his own vocal expertise on Season 7 of The Voice.

A virtuoso on the piano, Blessing (in his own right) has been called “a force to be reckoned within the music stratosphere” and rightfully so. (JFH News, 2022)1

But there’s much more.

Born in Nigeria, Blessing knows what it means to face overwhelming challenges. Congenital Glaucoma, combined with a freak accident later in elementary school, claimed all of his vision before he turned eleven years old.

Even so, he has a gift from God that continues to shine through the challenges he faces.

His incredible voice and the joyful attitude I saw him display in an interview drew me to his music.

Released last year, the song “Tin Roof” is one of my favorites. Not only just for Christians, it strikes a chord for anyone who is in the midst of despair.

As Christians though, we know that through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, our sorrows are washed away once we’re in Heaven.

That beautiful analogy is like the comforting sounds of raindrops on a tin roof.

Blessing Offor: Seeing God’s Light

How do we react when we face overwhelming challenges in our life?

Do we dwell in anger over our suffering, or do we look forward to a brighter day?

Even though Blessing faces a daily challenge that most of us can’t even imagine, he’s never given up on his dreams . . . or on God.

When you find that your faith is up to the challenge and in fact grows for the challenge, it’s a kind of joy that nothing else can touch. – Blessing Offor.2

Earlier this year, Blessing released his full length debut album titled “My Tribe.”

Here’s a favorite – the soul-searching and faith-affirming song, “Believe.”

Blessing Offor’s upcoming tour starts March 2nd of this year. You can find his tour schedule here.

Face the problems head on, ask questions, ask God the tough questions, but don’t give up.

We are all going to go through hard things, really hard things, but we can have the confidence to know that there will be brighter days ahead.

“Even if He doesn’t save your eyesight, He’s still good.” – Blessing Offor.3

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1From JFH News Report via PFA Media, No. 1 Artist Blessing Offor Shares Soaring live Video For Single Believe. (November 11, 2022). https://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/news/2022/11/11.BlessingOfforReleasesLiveVideoforBelieve.asp

2-3Blessing Offor interview.  “How Losing His Sight Affected Blessing Offor’s Faith.” [YouTube]. March 8, 2022, Web. Accessed February 16, 2023. Retrieved from: Interview With Blessing Offor

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God Makes A Way

God Makes A Way

Have you ever heard the expression, “God finds a way”?

The truth is – if it’s in His will, God makes a way.

I remember after our tragic family accident in 1997 (you can read about it here), our lives were completely turned upside down.

life-changing accident

While grieving and still recovering from the tragedy days before, there were also many difficult decisions that we had to make, constant phone calls with friends and family, plus my husband wanted to attend the out-of-state funeral. 

When my husband left, we needed someone to stay with me since I couldn’t walk at the time.  Thankfully, in His gracious way, God prompted one of our cousins to volunteer to do just that.

My left leg was in a heavy knee-to-ankle boot for about three months. There was no way I could drive to work like that.

At the time, I was working at a Fort Worth TV station – which wasn’t even close to where my husband’s job was located. After not being able to work for a few weeks, I was starting to worry about being let go from my job.

After much prayer, God’s grace shone His brilliant light on us once again.

A co-worker at the TV station unexpectedly offered to pick me up half-way every morning.

As only God can do, the arrangement worked out perfectly and my co-worker and I forged a bond and then a close friendship that is now just as strong as ever.

We had so many wonderful faith-filled conversations on those drives.

God Makes A Way

I am forever grateful for experiences like that which affirm God’s grace and compassion.

God makes a way right when it seemed like there was no way.

When faced with seemingly impossible situations – we need to remember that, nothing is impossible for God.

Our Sovereign Lord, if it is in His will, is the God of our impossibles.

Brandon Heath God Made A Way

Recently, I was checking out new Christmas music and came across a song that I couldn’t wait to share.

Just in time for the Christmas season, Dove Award winner, Brandon Heath, released a new song duet with the incredibly talented Tasha Layton.

Here is “God Made A Way.”

I hope this song blesses you as much as it does me.

“God Made a Way” debuted on YouTube on November 22nd of this year. As of this writing, it has garnered over 3000 views on the social media platform.

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Mac Powell’s “New Creation” Album

Mac Powell’s “New Creation” Album

Mac Powell's New Creation album

Are you a Mac Powell fan?

If you are a fan, I have great news!

If not, what in the world are you thinking?

Kidding!

Just a few days ago fans across the globe celebrated a new arrival.

Mac Powell’s “New Creation” Album debuted on October 15th.

Released through Capitol Christian Music Group, the album features ten great songs showcasing his exceptional song writing ability, engaging vocals, and musical expertise.

Former lead member of the award-winning group, Third Day, Mac’s “solo” works do not disappoint.

In fact, I already have my favorites.

I love the lyrics of his title song because the words are so meaningful to our lives as Christians.

And, the words really spoke to me because they’re a reflection of my own life.

(If you haven’t yet read my testimony of faith, you can find my life-changing testimony here.

In Mac’s own words,

“I believe this collection of songs have come from God, and I can’t wait to hear the stories of how they connect with and help people through the days we’re living in.” – Mac Powell, as quoted, from a Jesus Freak Hideout.1

I believe he hit it right out of the park with this song.

Here is “New Creation,” (a celebration of 2 Corinthians 5:17), by Mac Powell.

This one’s going in my music library of keepers.

Mac Powell is currently on tour! You can find his tour dates here.

Can Blessings Really Come Out of a Tragedy?

Is it possible?

Can blessings really come out of tragedy, like the song says?

Yes they can.

I am living proof.

When those difficult challenges turn your life upside down, it may seem there’s no end in sight.

But, we have this: God always keeps His promises.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

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1 Mac Powell quotation. “Mac Powell Releases Debut Solo Christian Album, New Creation, Today.” [Jesus Freak Hideout]. October 15, 2021, Web. Accessed October 17, 2021. 

2Scripture quotation is from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

*Mac Powell photo from my private collection.

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