FredMcKinnon.Com

Artist:  Saint Lewis (Shannon and Cyle Lewis and friends)
Album:  Songs from the Hope Farm

Hey Everybody,

It’s with great excitement that I share the much-anticipated album, “Songs from the Hope Farm” by Saint Lewis is finally available on iTunes.  Shannon Lewis is the Associate Worship Leader at SSCC and I have the privilege of serving God’s Kingdom with he and his lovely wife, Cyle.  Shannon is also a blogger and contributer at TheWorshipComunity.Com

On a personal level, I am biased because I love Shannon, Cyle, and their family … so, I’m gonna be excited about this release regardless.  I’ve seen YEARS of sweat, prayer, toil, victory, and heartache poured into this project.  I was given the privilege of playing B3 organ on Track 3 and gave input into some of the mixes.

On a professional level, I’d highly recommend this project simply because of it’s diversity.  Lyrics are Kingdom-minded.  Melodies are diverse.  Style changes from song-to-song, yet maintains a signature “Saint Lewis” sound.

My favorites?
3.  Wandering Heart
4.  Quiet Your Heart
5.  Fly  (lyrics – I love this line, “there’s so much more to be seen from the sky …”)
8.  Never Cease to Sing (we did this at one of our Night of Worship events, love the pads and keyboard work of McKendree Augustas on this!)

So … if you’re a little bored with the status quo … with the same, pop-rock guitar sounds, pulsing 8th note bass lines, and predictable chord movements, click the iTunes graphic above or just head over to iTunes and pick this album up today.  You’re supporting an incredible artist, worship leader, and family.

Earlier this year I was asked to participate in a blog tour and review of the book “Picking Dandelions:  A Search for Eden Among Life’s Weeds” by Sarah Cunningham.

I’m hesitant to agree to a lot of reviews because my desk is already covered in book, resource, and CD/DVD reviews from publishers and record labels.  Hat’s off to a couple of websites with decent traffic, I suppose.

For whatever reason, I agreed and the book arrived shortly thereafter.  After reading through the entire book I would summarize it with words that my wife would use … it’s a “feel good” book.

You know, one of those books that just makes you feel good.  You connect.  You identify.

Sarah takes us on a journey of her life (much of which is still to be lived) and her experiences growing up in this life as a Christian.  I found myself laughing at the stories she tells as I could so easily identify with them.  I love her use of stories and humor.

Ultimately, this book is about identifying the bad and recognizing the good.  It came at a perfect time for me as the word “gratitude” has been stamped on my spirit for 2010.  Over and over, God is teaching me to be grateful and reminding me of how much I should be grateful.

Sarah, in a true display of authenticity and vulnerability, shares her own flaws and hangups.  She takes us on a journey through life with unexpected twists and turns.

For the “churched” – you can truly relate.  If we are not experiencing a tension of how to be “in the church” and how to “be the church” and “do the stuff” that Jesus tells us to do … we aren’t living.  Sarah lives this out in print and takes us through her own journey of “christian-dom” and how it has blessed her, and how it has frustrated her.

As I spoke to Sarah after reading the book she couldn’t help but ask about my perspective as a man.  It seems the book may have been unintentionally targeted to women.  My response?  Everything I read connects to me as a man.  I feel the same frustrations.  I have the same flaws.  I have the overwhelming need to find the good in life, and need help and reminders to do so.  Not to mention, I like an easy read that puts my soul at rest.

I hope you’ll checkout the book here on Amazon.Com.

In the meantime, I’ve invited Sarah to stop by and field some of your questions.

How do deal with the “weeds” in your life?  How do you focus on the good, and not the bad?
How do you think the church is doing with “outward ministry” – meaning, beyond the 4 walls of our structures?
What is the biggest change that God is taking you through at the moment?  Be vulnerable.  Be authentic, and share.

Let the conversation begin.

Vicky Beeching’s new CD, “Eternity Invades” launched today, APRIL 6 on iTunes.

Who would like to WIN a copy?  I’ve got 5 copies to put in somebody’s mailbox!  That’s 5 winners.  One each day for the next 5 days this week.  So bring it!

Well, here’s what you do if you really wanna win!

1.  Leave a comment with your name & location below. (way down there where it says “leave a reply”)
2.  Click that green “tweet/retweet” button at the top of this post and tell folks about this giveaway.

Also, be sure and checkout the review on TheWorshipCommunity.Com when you’re done!

If you just can’t stand waiting to see who wins … pick up your copy on iTunes!

Hey Everyone,

We’ve been spreading the word this week about a great new song we’re featuring over at TheWorshipCommunity.Com and HighestPraise.Com called “Hallelujah!  I Am Free”.  You can download free leadsheets and chord charts to it here.

This morning the songwriter, Trent Smith, uploaded a great video showing how he plays the song.  Check it out.  Most importantly, share it with your friends.  I hope you’ll consider using this song in your personal times of worship and even in your corporate worship at your church.

Song:
Hallelujah! I Am Free (Trent Smith) by highestpraise

Video:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFQtsO4LSGk[/youtube]

I’m back from the re:create conference.  We hit the ground running wide open … what’s new.  I need to sit down and unpack everything that happened last week during re:create, but haven’t found a slow moment.  Do they exist?

Anyway, while I was there I experienced “Gungor” – formerly known as “The Michael Gungor Band”.  Folks, unless you’ve just offline, you’ve already seen the buzz on Twitter and blogs about this band.  I have witnessed some amazing performances in my life and this ranks as one of the most inspiring performances of my lifetime.  I’m not exaggerating.

Gungor’s CD (which he presented from start to end for us with the full band and multimedia experience) released today, Feb 15.  It’s called “Beautiful Things”.  I’d encourage you to spend the $10 and download it right away from iTunes.  It’s so worth it.

Here’s their “EPK” video.  Enjoy the heart of a husband/wife and band that show some of the most inspiring, creative, passionate worship I’ve encountered … ever.  Also, my friend Russ Hutto just published an amazing review of the album and the live experience we had with Gungor over at TheWorshipCommunity.Com.  Go checkout that review after watching the EPK below.