Reviews
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Is my Tommee Tippee sippy cup safe?
When it comes to social media, it takes me a while to believe the hype about some things. Like, for instance, did they really find a mermaid off the coast of Spain? Like, for real? And these baltic amber beads – what witchcraft is this?! Show me proof! I want to see for myself! So when I started hearing stories that Curlys beloved Tommee Tippee sippy cup is no longer safe to use, I had to investigate! I breastfed my girl for as long as I could and found the Tommee Tippee Closer To Nature bottles to be top notch, as she switched from boob to bottle. I mean, you can’t go wrong with Tommee Tippees!
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Creative journaling with the Inspire Bible {Review}
I love Easter time. I love that we get to celebrate the life of Jesus and how this period acknowledges his life and death to be real and not some fictitious story, made up and put into a book. There are so many cool ways you could celebrate this time with your kideos. I’ve recently spent some time celebrating with my Inspire Bible but I know many people opt for Easter egg hunts and chocolate parties (and hey, I love chocolate yo!). This is one of those times where I can’t wait for my girl to be a bit older so that I could explore the other ways of celebrating the cross. -
School your kids with Top Dog! {Review}
Homework, in our little corner of the world, is a tedious matter. For starters, Kyle (Grade 9) is a teenager and apparently, teenagers aren’t that much into homework or school. Seth (Grade 4), who had always been doing brilliantly when it comes to getting homework done on time, has recently followed suite and it takes a lot to get him to focus. Fortunately, my MIL is a primary school teacher and is usually the one who sits with them after school. (Which comes in quite handy when the homework pile resembles my desk on a Monday morning.) -
Tea time with my toddler is a Koppie Boeretroos! {Review}
Last week was back to reality for many of us but thanks to Elizna from Koppie Boeretroos the feeling of meh was greatly decreased when I received a bee-oo-ti-ful package in the mail!
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Music Monday: Matt Redman – Unbroken Praise {GIVEAWAY!}
Last week I reviewed Matt Redman’s latest offering, Unbroken Praise. I found this album to be mellow on the ear but lyrically “kapow! kapow! kapow!” As part of their Big Christmas Giveaway, Gateway News will be giving away a copy of this top notch singer/songwriters album. Winners anounced next Thursday on their Facebook page. Here is a snippet of the review and instructions on how to enter:>>> “Prolific worship leader and singer-songwriter, Matt Redman, released his 9th studio album, Unbroken Praise, in June 2015, much to the delight of fans. Redman, well known for his contribution to the Passion Conference worship team, is somewhat of a worship maverick, not conforming to any particular sound or genre, but rather forging his own niche from album to album. This latest offering confirms just that. The album is neither here nor there, but is still very in season, with songs that are filled with passion and heart.In an interview, Redman explained that the album came out of his need to do something different than his last few albums. “I’ve recorded a couple of live album’s in a row now…they’ve both been in Atlanta, but we got talking and we thought it would be nice to do something in my homeland, in England. Then we got talking about where, and the No. 1 place on my list was Abbey Road, and I had no clue whether we could make that happen or not,” Redman explained. “There’s just a fantastic orchestral room there, which by the way you can fit 400 people in there. I was wondering if we could actually do that. Through a series of twists and turns it actually happened. It was a real joy to be in one of the world’s most iconic recording studios having church.”I found the album really easy to listen to. Redman has the ability to effortlessly take the listener along with him, as he enters into a sweet time with the Lord…”<<<For your chance to win a copy of this album, check out the entire Gateway News review and scroll to the bottom, for instructions. -
Music Monday: Wow Hits 2016 {GIVEAWAY!}
I always enjoy reviewing compilation albums because it’s like chucking a box of smarties, jelly tots and sour worms into a carton of popcorn and putting your hand in to see what you will get first! The 2016 collection of songs are a mixture of funk, honky-tonk, deep wells and power ballads. I really enjoyed listening to it!
Gateway News is giving away 2 of those albums in their latest giveaway. More info can be found in the actual review. Here’s a snippet of it:
>>>“Opening track ‘Greater’ by pop-rock band, MercyMe, does a good job as an introduction. It has a folksy, honky-tonk vibe with a great message taken from 1 John 4:4: “Greater is He living in me, than He who is living in the world.”
Third Day teams up with All Sons and Daughters in their hit single, ‘Soul on fire’ – a Gospel praise track that also has elements of folk in it. The vocals on this track is gritty and raw and really does the song justice. It’s this and other distinctive tracks like ‘From this day’ by I Am They or the soulful ‘Brother’ by Needtobreathe that makes this collection refreshing.Other favourites such as Dove Award winner, Lauren Daigles hot debut single, ‘How can it be’ and the always trending Jamie Grace’s ‘Do life big’, were obvious choices for the album along with songs from Kari Jobe (‘I am not alone’) and the Passion Conference team (‘Even so come.’)I really enjoyed being introduced to Francesca Battistelli’s Christian pop song ‘He knows my name’, Casting Crowns ‘Broken together’ and Hillsong United’s ‘Touch the sky’. Other notable additions are tracks from TobyMac (‘Beyond me’), Plumb (‘Lord I’m ready now’) and the thought-provoking ‘Save my life’ by group, Sidewalk Prophets…<<<For your chance to win a copy of this album, check out the entire Gateway News review and scroll to the bottom, for instructions. -
Music Monday: Tasha Cobbs – One Place Live {GIVEAWAY!}
Last week I reviewed the breathtaking new offering from Gospel sensation, Tasha Cobbs, on behalf of Gateway News. Besides for being a chart topping recording artist, she is also a Grammy Award winner and walked away with the auspicious Artist of the Year Award at the 2015 GMA Dove Awards, earlier this year.
Gateway News will be giving away a copy of Cobbs latest album, One Thing Live.
Here is a snippet of the review and a link for the competition.
It is a worthy addition to any album collection!>>> On listening to ‘One Place Live’ this week, I was immediately struck by the authority she carries, as she ministers one word-based song after the other. It’s clear to see that Tasha Cobbs is not here to play around and up her “fame-game”. The album shows an uncaged, dynamic worshipper, crooning and roaring and she leads others into unadulterated worship and admiration for King Jesus. She has shared that the songs on the album stem from a multitude of moments in her personal worship experience. “They are what we call songs of the Lord,” she explained. “I can be leading worship or getting dressed for worship and a song will simply fall on me.”
The album’s first single, ‘Jesus Saves’, is one of the many that God had deposited in her, when she was in a time of need, struggling to overcome depression. “God spoke to me and gave me peace. Not just spiritual salvation; He saved me from the rejection and depression I used to feel,” Cobbs explained. “Jesus can save you from whatever it is you’re being overtaken by. That’s what this song is about.”
I loved the opening track, ‘Immediately,’ which is a Gospel praise song that would do well in a choral setting. This up tempo track speaks about praising Him in the midst of the battle! She so passionately sings: “I lifted my hands/And opened my mouth/Immediately/God worked it out!” I see this song as a war cry – a reminder to praise Him before I see the victory because He has already conquered.
If you’re looking for a taste of Cobb’s ferocity and passion, then have a listen to ‘Jesus did it’. This song literally made me say ‘Ha!’ a few times! It is a testimony track, where she belts and prophesies about what God is busy doing, has done and is going to do! She ends each stanza off by roaring “Jesus did it!/Oh yes He did!” You can’t help but to get excited and expectant!
I am enjoying the honest lyric found in this collection of songs. Title track ‘One place’ (featuring Pastor Bertha Cobbs), is prime example, where she sings “I’m here because I wanna be/I’m here because I choose to be/I’m here because I love to be/In Your presence.” Yes! Nail on the head! It is a sincere, beautifully delivered worship ballad that I am sure will resonate in many hearts. It’s so evident that Miss Cobbs has shared of herself and her personal relationship with the Lord in each song…”<<<For your chance to win a copy of this album, check out the entire Gateway News review and scroll to the bottom, for instructions.
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Music Monday: Martin Smith – Back To The Start {GIVEAWAY!}
Photo: Jesus Freak Hideout I really enjoyed reviewing Martin Smiths latest album for Gateway News last week.
Martin Smith has written for giants such as Jesus Culture and the Passion Conference collective. He is the real deal!
Gateway News will be giving away his latest offering as well as a collection of other albums. Such a legit giveaway.Re-emerging as a solo singer, this album shows another side to Smith’s worship, with heartfelt anthems and dancey praise songs that really gets you going. The album poignantly opens with ‘Back to the start’ – a moving ballad that just messed me up when he sang “I’m coming home/Back to the start/Where you found me/I give you my heart again.” I love that it speaks about our first love and that it helps us to reach a place where we can say, “okay God, it’s me and you again.”
The second track on the album, ‘Emmanuel’, was the first radio single from this new collection and was co-written with Matt Redman and Nick Herbert. The song is based on the scripture in Joshua 3:10 which says “The living God is among you.” It is a beautiful worship anthem that is lyrically striking with a sound that has been described as “modern worship.” This sound is what Smith has become known for if you can remember other more mod sounding worship tributes that he has penned such as ‘Song of Solomon’ (which also happens to feature on this album). You will also find another oldie, ‘Fire never sleeps’, on this album. It is a groovy mid-tempo track that speaks about the fire of God, inviting it to “Burn O my soul/Set me on fire!”
Smith and Redman do a sort of a mod-worship revamp to the old hymn, ‘Great is Thy faithfulness.’ The song, which has the same message and foundation as the classic, has a warm melody with rich lyrics. One of my favorite lines says “When shadows fall/You never change/From age to age/You never change.” I love singing about the faithfulness of our unchanging God!… (more)
Visit the original Gateway News article to read the rest of this post and stand a chance to win an amazing collection of Worship albums!This music review was originally written for and published in Gateway News.
Thank you for taking the time to leave your comments!I read and appreciate each one of them! -
Music Monday: Planetshakers – Outback Worship Sessions {GIVEAWAY!}
I remember being introduced to Planetshakers for the first time. I found their sound to be big, electrifying and full of life! I was fortunate enough to enter the “Planetshakers loop” when they dropped their 2008 album, “All for love”, so my first taste of their music was with megahit ‘The Anthem’, which so famously sings “Hallelujah! You have won the victory!”Boy, what an introduction!If you are not familiar with the Australian based band, Planetshakers is a young adult youth movement, affiliated with the Planetshakers Church in Melbourne. The church is pastored by Russell and Sam Evans and has over 10 000 members. The Planetshakers band is the church’s worship band and is the central part of their events. Their albums are known for a more electronic rock sound, with deep, hard core worship sets and praise anthems that are full of energy and zest. So with that said, I was both pleased and surprised when I heard their latest offering, ‘Outback Worship Sessions’. True to its title, the album, which was recorded with multi Dove Award winner, Ed Cash, has a more homegrown, organic vibe to it. You can definitely hear the band’s Australian roots coming through on this compilation of songs, which happens to be their 31st release. How crazy is that!The album opener, ‘Like a fire’, sets the scene for the rest of the album with a retake of the classic that debuted on their 2009 album, ‘One’. The track is acoustic guitar and keys driven, which is a bit of a nice change from their usual array of synths and the likes.I am totally smitten with the “outback” sound of the hymn cum lullaby that is ‘My soul longs for Jesus’. If you did not know what the team meant by “outback worship sessions” then have a listen to this one first! It is so beautifully ministered by Sam Evans and is a ballad suitable for corporate worship and, in my case, even more perfect to sing your baby to sleep with! It speaks right to my heart….. (more)Visit the original Gateway News article to read the rest of this post and stand a chance to win an amazing collection of Worship albums!This music review was originally written for and published in Gateway News. -
Music Monday: Passion – Even so come
Photo: Jesus Freak Hideout I have grown to love and anticipate the annual Passion Conference albums and as always I am not disappointed by their latest offering, Even so come.Perhaps it’s the thousands who gather along with the Passion worship team, to worship God together. Perhaps it’s the team itself, all musically diverse and spiritual giants, with a real gift for penning songs that laud God and create a space for the Holy Spirit to move. Or maybe it’s the fact that the tracks are usually very catchy and easy to get pulled into. Whichever way, I always feel a sense of expectancy when worshiping along to one of the albums.In case you didn’t know, the Passion Conference is an annual event, founded by Louie Giglio in 1997. The Passion gatherings are aimed at young adults, more specifically college students, with the intention of fostering a spiritual awakening among them. The gatherings usually host passionate speakers, like previous speakers Francis Chan and Lecrae, and also feature intimate worship lead by the Passion band. Because of the success of the initial conferences and the growing popularity of the worship sessions, Sexsteprecords was formed to represent the core group of artists performing at the Passion gatherings. Those artists include Chris Tomlin, David Crowder, Charlie Hall, Matt Redman, Christy Nockels, Kristian Stanfill and the Passion band. The conference has birthed 17 albums to date, with ‘Even So Come’ being it’s 6th album to peak at number 1 on the Billboard Christian Albums chart.The opening track of the album happens to be the title track and is a fitting album opener, co-written and lead by Chris Tomlin. The song speaks about us the church, as the bride waiting on her groom with eager anticipation. In true Tomlin style, the song has a soaring chorus and bridge, that has clearly been written with the congregation in mind, and rightly so. Tomlin also helped to pen the other 2 tracks that he features in on this album: ‘The cross of Christ’ and ‘The saving One’ which is a melodious mid tempo anthem with a chorus that is quick to catch and easy to sing along to.I quite enjoyed newbie, Melodie Malone’s version of ‘Forever’ – the Easter anthem recently made popular by Kari Jobe. Malone’s version is pretty much the same as Jobe’s and I like that she kept it simple, climbing as the song did and not adding on too many special effects or vocal acrobatics. This track’s message is powerful enough as is!If there is one track on this album that I would encourage you to listen to, it would be ‘Lift your head weary sinner (Chains)’ by Crowder. The song is a combination of country, rock and soul and is a refreshing, unexpected addition. I am most impressed by it and love the message of the song: a call to sinners to “let the chains fall” and come and find their rest in the Lord. My first impression of the song was that it sounds like something Jake Hamilton would sing. I really like!Another track that caught my attention was Brett Younker’s ‘The way’, a cool dance song that features a more electronic, synth sound. Younker is another new addition to the Passion lineup and he definitely does this track justice. It made me think back to the Passion 2014 dance favorite, ‘God’s great dance floor’, since it has the same feel and energy.Passion regular, Kristian Stanfill, features on 3 tracks: ‘Shout Hosanna’, which is a typical Passion praise song, with a catchy hook and lyrics that are easy to learn; beautiful worship song‘Draw near’ and ‘You found me’ which he co-wrote with Jason Ingram. The latter is definitely a heart song for me and I especially love the chorus that says: “Now I have/A song to sing/I was lost/And Jesus you found me!” I love that!Legends, Mat Redman and Christy Nockels, only feature once on the album. Redman with worship song ‘The awesome God you are’ and Nockels with ‘My Anchor’ – a song which can also be found on her latest release, “Let it be Jesus”. ‘My Anchor’ is delivered in a way that Nockels is known for: heartfelt and emotive, with big and powerful moments in all the right places.All in all, I really enjoyed the album. My only disappointment is that I did not get my hands on a Deluxe Edition, since it features unplugged versions of a few really powerful classics such as ‘How He loves us’ and ‘Heart of worship.’I appreciate that Even So Come features some of this generation’s most acclaimed worship leader’s and that it boasts a diverse song selection. As with all Passion releases, this offering captures the heart of a generation hungry after the presence of God and that translates into what we, the listeners, receive when we listen to it. I give it 2 thumbs up!This review was originally written for and published in Gateway News
