Living In Grace

Haiti

I am horrified by the images and stories coming out of Haiti.

Please go here and here to find out how you can help. Tangibly.

God bless the people of Haiti and the family and friends outside who wait for word.

HUGE! Amy Greant giveawaway ... HUGE!

BooMama is now more my hero than ever before.

If you are a child of the last 30 years or so, you've grown up with Amy Grant.

And now, there is a HUGE HUGE HUGE giveaway with all things Amy!

Go here for all the details.

Yes- I will die a thousand times should I win that phone call and all 17 CD's!!

Mandisa. My new (Pretend) BFF. A giveaway.

WINNERS!!!

Cyndi and Hannah! Please send me your mailing address to: jkbach(at)comcast.net and I will have your Signed Mandisa CD mailed to you!

Congratulations!!

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Mandisa.

How I love me some Mandisa. Her music just grabs me by the heart and sends me soaring.

And now? She has a new album out. Just released!

(And because of all things medical around here, I'm considerably late in hosting this giveaway. My sincerest apologies to my dear, sweet, forgiving virtual BFF, Mandisa.)

(From her Bio)

Mandisa has been established as one of the most promising new talents in the Christian music industry. But she takes nothing for granted, and is quick to point out what’s truly important to her.

Mandisa approaches everything with that same humble, self-effacing perspective, which is part of what has drawn people to her since she first appeared on TV screens before an audience of millions just a few short years ago.

On how the new album came to be:

“I realized that the theme building in my life right now is the theme of freedom. There are many things I’ve not conquered, but to actually be able to say that God has freed me from some things in my life is… well… freeing! I can see the work he’s doing in my heart, and it’s definitely being reflected in the songs I’m writing, and the songs I’ve been drawn to as we put together this album.”

In the liner notes, each song has a story. And a Bible verse. It brings out her heart for people, in that she wants to accomplish more than just entertain.

She is there is minister. Be a vessel for God to touch lives.

My personal favorite from this album is "Leave it in the Valley":

(Psalm 23:4, John 16:33)

Behind the Song:
“Leave It In the Valley” is, it’s an encouraging song for people to let them know no matter what you’re going through that Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil and so I think people need to recognize that in these times where things can be very difficult, that we serve a God who promises that if we would yoke ourselves with Him that He would make our burdens easy and light and so it’s just a song encouraging people that no matter what you’re going through just leave it in the valley." - Mandisa

Lyrics:

I got your message on the phone so tell me what’s going on?
You say your day started so great and then it went so wrong
No one ever plans for the bad days, do they, no
But I am here if you’re needing a friend

Hey, don’t give up tonight
I know you’re going through the valley, but you’re gonna make it out alright
Hey, tell your troubles goodbye
Go on and leave it in the valley, leave it in the valley tonight

So you think He don’t know what He’s doing
You think He ain’t by your side
Well, God knows when you’re broken
And He’s loving you, He’s holding you so, so tight

So let the rain fall He’ll be standing there getting wet with you
You might get cold but you won’t be there alone

And when you’re hanging by a thread hold on
You know the darkest part is right before the dawn
So when your fear has worn you out
Feels like the sky is on the ground
He ain’t gonna let you down
He’ll never let you down

That song is my rock right now.

And here is the BEST part!

Her label has been gracious enough to give me not one, but TWO signed copies of Mandisa's Freedom album.

Entering to win a signed copy is easy!

First go here, and listen to a few cuts of the album. Then, come back here and tell me which your favorite one is and why.

How did it speak to you.

I will not only choose  two winners from the entries received, but will also be forwarding your comments to Mandisa through her reps.

Think of the blessings we can give back to her through our words! I think she will be tickled to death to hear directly from her fans!! Don't you?

The legalese:

This giveaway is open to everyone, regardless of what part of the world you are in. You simply need to have a valid email address that I can use to contact you, should you win, and also be willing to share your mailing address with me. I will pass it along to the record label, who will be mailing your signed CD directly.

So!

Go.

Listen.

Be blessed.

Then come back and share.

I will close comments and draw the two winners  on Friday, May 1. Sometime after 5pm PT.

(May 1st? Geesh. Where has the time gone?!)

(I will update things from around here is the next few days).

We Have a Winner!!

First of all thanks everyone for all of your wonderful Happy Things! It made me oh, so happy!

Our winner is Linds from Rocking Chair Reflections!

Linds, tell me what online store you'd like me to get your gift certificate from, and I will get it done right away!

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Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

39

Timestamp: 2009-03-05 04:46:43 UTC

Linky Love for All Us Parents

So many different perspectives, but all so very true ...

Owlhaven - Going

My Quiet Corner - The Cost of a Child

Life of Grits - Missing Kids, When It Doesn't Make a Lick of Sense

This Ain't New York (at Internet Cafe) - Introductions

These woman have touched my heart this weekend. I hope they touch yours as well.

Lastly.I give you Boomama and her perspective on "Interruptions". This post gave me lots to ponder, and work out. I think it will stay with me for quite along time.

Winners!

We have two winners for the Jeremy Camp giveaway!

The Random Number Generator picked the following:

#2 - Amy (email @ us.ibm.com)

#7 - Cindi (email @ hotmail.com)

Unfortunately, I'm too inept at trying to get a print screen to upload on ya old blawg....

I have emailed you both, and you have 48 hours to respond with your mailing address. These will be forwarded to the record label who will get our your great and awesome new CD!

Jeremy Camp Giveaway

When you think of Jeremy Camp, the words “shy” and “quiet” don’t come to mind.

Energetic? Yes.
Passionate? Definitely.
Straightforward? Absolutely.

Camp’s thoughtful lyrics and booming voice have earned him legions of fans and accolades including 16 No. 1 songs, five Dove Awards, three ASP Songwriter of the Year wins and an American Music Award nomination.

So why would someone so well known for his willingness to speak his mind and share his heart title his latest release Speaking Louder Than Before? After all, his message has always come through loud and clear.

Through his songs we’ve seen the joy and the sorrow, his devotion to God, his fear of falling short and his certainty that Jesus is the answer to life’s toughest questions. Even when Jeremy’s message became painfully personal when losing his first wife to cancer just months after their wedding, he boldly wore the mantle of comforter, soothing the pain of others by sharing his story, listening patiently to theirs, and providing them with songs that expressed what they were feeling when their grief left them unable to speak. It was that life-altering tragedy that inspired his early career.

Now, remarried with two young children and a new home base in Nashville, Camp feels like he’s
starting fresh. “It’s so new because I’m in such a different place,” he says. “I’m 30 years old now. I’ve
been doing this for a while and so much has happened since it began. At this point, I have a more clearcut purpose and vision of what I’m meant to do. I’m more purposeful in what I’m sharing.” Being more purposeful is important now that time on the road can mean time away from his family.

So Speaking Louder isn’t so much about Camp turning up the volume as it is finding greater clarity in what God’s called him to do. And while he continues to grow and mature as an artist and a man, it only makes sense that this rocker with a preacher’s heart would use his platform to proclaim – louder than ever – the message he knows today’s kids need to hear.

Speaking Louder’s songs will resonate with people of any age, but Camp’s message this time around is directed squarely at youth. “I see the hurt, the lack of direction, in this new generation,” the former
youth leader says.

“Some people might think I’m being preachy. I’m not angry; I’m not pointing a finger. Really, my heart
is breaking. I’m talking about loving people and serving people.” And it’s not a message he necessarily
believes everyone is called to deliver. “I’m telling my story,” he clarifies. I’m pointing that finger at me.”

The track “You Will Be There” is drawn directly from Psalm 139, while “I Know Who I Am” is based
on Paul’s impassioned speech in Romans 7 about doing the things he doesn’t want to and failing to do
what he knows he should (who can’t relate to that?).

There’s also the very personal song “Healing Hand of God,” which serves as an epilogue of sorts to the story of Camp’s loss of his first wife, a subject he needed encouragement to revisit. “I never want this to be just a story. It was my life, it was her life, and it was hard. But I still have people who come up to me every night who have lost someone, and God showed me that this is still part of His plan for me. It’s a chapter of my life He still wants me share.”

“God called us to be the light of the world as we represent Him,” he says emphatically, his conviction never wavering. “When you’re speaking the truth, when you know what you believe, you speak loud.”

If that’s the case, it’s no wonder Camp goes through life with the volume turned all the way up.

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Jeremy's label has graciously agreed to offer TWO lucky winners a copy of this new release, which comes out this week!

So, let's have some fun, shall we?!

To win, leave me the following in comments below:

1. Your name

2. Contact info (email or blog) Open to US residents only

3. Two things you would like for Christmas: One has to be something you expect (maybe something you get every year without fail), and then the one thing that would absolutely blow. your. mind if you found it wrapped under the tree.

Remember, you have to trust me with your mailing address should you win. Comments will be open until Friday, November 28th until midnight PT or so. Winners will be drawn by Random Generator and contacted via email by Sunday, November 30th. You will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be drawn.

Remember the things you must leave in comments to qualify!

Now, dream away!

Interuppting my terribly ineffective week, to bring you some "Linky Love"

I'm buried in life right now. Terribly buried.

Like, not able to be online, buried.

I.

Know.

You have to wonder about just how bad that must be, huh?

But, I want to share a site with you that ya'll may want to bookmark, visit occasionally, and leave an encouraging word at now and then.

Y'all are so very good at that.

I.

Know.

(and for you Gilmore Girl fans, are you hearing Lorelei's voice when you read that?)

I do.

I .

KNOW.

When we moved to Billings, the kids went to Canyon Creek Elementary, a k-8 school. During the initial walk through after classes were over, we got to see the classes they would attend, and meet some teachers who were jut lucky enough to be stuck there late.

Near the end of our three hour tour, a three hour tour ...

(it's sitcom hell today, oh yes ma'am)

we saw a young man walking around, carrying a trash can, wearing a hoodie. I made the comment to the teacher giving us a tour how wonderful it was that they gave jobs to middle schoolers like that.

Can you see it coming?

Can you?

Can you?

Yeah.

No middle schoolers there, folks.

Nope, Mrs. Bach meet Chad Jackson, DEAN! OF! STUDENTS!

Yeah.

I always do things like that.

Turns out "Mr. J" as they called him, was a tad taller than his middle school students.

And I'm, an idiot.

Mr. J turned out ot be one of those teachers everyone loved, including the parents. Always wore a dress shirt and tie on non-Casual Friday work days (guess what day we met him on), kept the kids gently in line (and not so gently when needed), had their respect and a healthy obsession appetite for Star Wars.

He even gave the boys in Study Hall a few pointers before the first inter mural dance. (Never go to a dance without tissue in your pocket. Girls hate sweaty palms, use it in your pockets and they will never know. Things like that).

At the end of the kids second year, Mr. J announced he and his sweet wife were going to Bolivia as missionaries to build a school, then teach in it for two years.

It was a bittersweet time- the kids would miss him, as would we, but we knew he was going to touch some lives.

Fast forward a few years and several "I wonder what ever happened to Mr J conversations" later, and we found out two things.

1. Mr and Mrs J are still happily ensconced in Bolivia.

2. Yep! They BLOG!

With pictures!

So, hop on over here and take a look around at the sweet faces.

And send them some love from the States (or wherever you hail from).

Tell them Jon Bach's mom sent you!

And, I will be back. Soon. Once life decides to let me up for air.

And the WINNER Is ......

First of all, let me just say ... y'all ROCKED on the cool things instructions.

I have had SO! MUCH! FUN! reading about all of you, and I have 86 super questions i need to get on answering here this upcoming week.

Thinking? I Might do 10 a day, top to bottom.

So, be sure to come on back and read all the answers!

Oh, and go back here and read through the comments. You will definitely find some new blogs to read, based on the answers about "Name two really cool things about yourself."

Anywho, the winner.

I asked John (who is pressing me to get going since we qhave errands to run- Priorities, people, prioirities) to pick a number between 1 and 86.

So, without further ado- the winner is:

#73  Janie R!

Janie's comment ....

2 Really Cool Things About Me:

1. The first time I ever got on an airplane, I was 18, it was a 2-seater, and I FLEW IT. All by myself for about 5 minutes. It was amazing.

2. I can crochet just about anything you can think of, but I specialize in goofy looking animals. My 5 nieces and nephews under 3 love me forever because of this! :)

Email me at jkbach(at) gmail,.com with the name of GC you would like, and your address!

Lookie Lookie! It's a Giveaway!!!

Who doesn't love FREE MUSIC!!

Repeat after me ...

ME!ME! ME! ME!

There. Now dontcha all feel soooo much better.

The great news is that Chris Tomlin has released a brand spankin' new album, and I have a copy to give away!

"Following his 2006 RIAA Gold-certified record, See the Morning, Tomlin's latest project communicates what he describes as the "need to introduce ourselves to love again." Produced by Ed Cash (Steven Curtis Chapman, Amy Grant, Bebo Norman), Hello Love endeavors to give voice to the Church to worship their Creator. This is evident throughout the album on songs like "Love," "God of This City," "Sing, Sing, Sing," and "I Will Rise" to name a few. Tomlin explains, "With each new record, I continue to strive to create songs that will help people voice their worship to God. Worship is a massive word with a very broad scope, but in the end, it is very simple. It is love! It's our response in love to our great God who loved us first."

Here are some samples for your listening pleasure ....

But wait! there's MORE!

(I always wanted a reason to say that)

Pop the CD in your later to gain access to an exclusive Hello Love Tour concert ticket offer!

The tour dates currently run from January 22, 2009 through April 10, 2009.

I've been enjoying this CD since I received my copy a couple of weeks ago, and know you will be blessed so much by the music.

My fav is Love, which features Chris singing along with the Watoto Christian Choir.

So, you're wondering ... "Hey Kelli, how do I enter to win such a fab CD?"

Well, darn! I'm so glad you asked friend :)

Great music is so amazing, and I need to update my current collection o'songs.

So.

To enter, leave me a comment with your Top 3 current fav Christian CD's (or songs). I mean, we're talking gospel, worship, anything from TobyMac to Travis Cottrell.

Whatever makes your soul fly.

Can't wait to see your choices!

And remember, leave me a way to get in touch with you should you be the winner.Comments will close Friday, August 26 at midnight PT. 

(I know, rules, rules, rules, blah, blah, blah)