WHOLE HEART by Passion Music GIVEAWAY

I was moody, grumpy, generally having a bad day.


I'm sure I'm the only one, right?


I went back to flop on my bed and pout over some infraction I held against a family member.


I knew I had a review* coming due, so I mindlessly flipped on the PASSION WHOLE HEART CD as I mercilessly crushed candy on my handheld computer that also happens to be able to send and receive telephone calls.

I half listened, angrily clicking my phone.



As the words of worship began to wash over my heart, the frantic pace of my hands began to slow.


An hour later, I was freshly aware of the price Jesus had paid to buy my unearned forgiveness. My game was tossed aside and my heart was bowed before the Lord as I was convicted of the grudge I had been nursing.


I can't really give you a critical review of music preferences, because what God did in my heart through these lyrics, His Spirit refreshing my heart, was much more profound than the dissection of music style. So I'll simply post a couple of music clips and let the promoter's words speak toward answering the product details:

WHOLE HEART is the new live album from Passion, captured at the Passion Conference 2018 in Atlanta, GA.

•         “Rooted out of the Passion movement, we are committed to leading people towards renewed intimacy with God and fresh encounters of worship. Passion is more than music. More than events. Passion is a generation living for His name.” 

•         WHOLE HEART is the new live album from Passion—captured at Passion Conference 2018 in Atlanta, GA.

•         Passion Conference 2018 was a beautiful worship experience, and the live album captures each powerful moment, allowing those who were not in attendance to experience it.

  

•         Featuring Passion Artists: Kristian Stanfill, Melodie Malone, Sean Curran, Matt Redman, Crowder.

Buy Link: http://capcmg.me/PassionWholeHeart

Want a chance to win a copy? 

Leave me a meaningful comment here on my blog (along with a working method of contact so I can get your mailing address if you are the winner!) today, tomorrow, or Sunday. I'll contact one random name on Monday, February 26, 2018, to get your address for FlyBy promotions who will mail my winner a free CD in March! (Blog comments can get grumpy at times, so a comment on this post on my facebook author page will work too, although, if you have the option of leaving a blog comment, I would sure prefer that method, as that will help me track all entries in one spot.)


Please go like my author page at facebook.com/HarvestingHope (or get a friend to do so) and leave me another comment here that you did so (along with the name for me to verify that I have the new like). You and your friend will both earn an additional chance to be chosen as my winner if you do.

Please help me spread the word. Share this giveaway post everywhere you can - Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, your own blog, etc. Every time you share and come back and add your share link to comments, that's another entry too.


I'm excited to see you win. This album, just releasing today, is going to bless your heart!

Want it sooner or for sure? (Or course you do!) Grab your copy today at capcmg.me/PassionWholeHeart

#PassionWholeHeart #FlyBy #Contest #Drawing #Giveaway

* Yes, I did receive a free, promotional copy of this music for my review. However, opinions expressed are fully my own.

The giveaway aspect of this post is not sponsored by any parties other than Jennifer Saake and FlyBy Promotions, so Facebook and other big corporations, you are legally off the hook for this one.

Late December 2014

A recap of recent days:

A week ago Friday I had a 2-hour interview with three sweet ladies from my hospital's publicity group, an hour of that on film with two big light and two cameras just a couple feet away from my face. That night I went out to hubby work Christmas party. I love playing dress up, though it does take a lot out of me.

Last Monday, two of those ladies met me at my new gym to film my water exercise class (had been on a two week trial membership there, with last Monday being the first day of the official new membership my in laws blessed me with for Christmas - what a way to make an entry, showing up with a film crew on my first day as a member! LOL). That afternoon my parents took us across town for an emergency orthodontic repair for our daughter.

Sunday was our 15-year-old's birthday. After dinner that night, I went out into the cold and learned about muscle "spasticity" on a whole new level. My hubby steadied me and helped me hobble to the car, thankfully avoiding the piggy-back-ride we actually considered.

The weekend through Wednesday morning found me madly cleaning, organizing, doing laundry, wrapping gifts (quite a trick with clumsy hands that can only master gift bagging but not tape scissors or wrap, or a long-enough term memory to even know what is in the bag I just packed before I get it half way from our bedroom to the tree - I only made one major blunder in forgetting my brother-in-laws gift at all, but I got to be as surprised as our kids were on Christmas morning as they unwrapped their gifts) and packing.

Tuesday night we attended a Christmas Eve-Eve service and I wore ear plugs (to help me be able to tolerate the neuro stimulation of the music. Even though I already have much hearing loss, what I do hear, I do not process correctly, thus cannot tolerate loud sounds without nausea and confusion and physical pain.) and Signed (because I could not hear myself sing) all the Christmas carols.

Early Wednesday afternoon (24th) we were all loaded in the car and headed to my in-laws' farm about an hour away.

Thursday, we spent with 11 family members and two bathrooms, later in the day, joined by an adopted sister and her friend as well. I was in bed around 8pm, both Wednesday and Thursday nights!

Friday was a rest and family games day. The 27th marked exactly 20 years since I learned my body not only disliked the idea of GETTING pregnant but that CARRYING a baby was to be equally as challenging. I'm still trying to unwrap all the emotions of miscarriage when mixed with a mother's earthly grief, longing and loneliness and the wonder my own near death experience and transformed understanding of Noel's Heavenly reality.

Saturday, we came home to piles and PILES of clean laundry to be sorted then all those Christmas blessings to get put into new homes. I also took my first shower since Wednesday one I had access to a shower chair and hand rails again.

Sunday was church, then roast left overs with in-laws and more games. About 4 more hours working on that clean laundry yesterday afternoon!

Today has been water therapy, my parents went and adopted a cat. And now to get dinner started.

Tomorrow night we are getting together with some dear friends, visiting back here from out of state. Their son was our 15-year-old's best buddy when they were 4 years old! Kathy is coming to help me un-decorate my tree tomorrow!

Insurance and some family medical testing feel like a yo-yo ride too. Not even planning to work on my book anymore until kids go back to school Jan. 8. I still haven't finished all that laundry putting away yet.

This past week, we did confirm my decision that I am going to cut a few inches off my hair. Not that I don't love the length it has finally reached, but because I cannot manage this length alone now. I want it to still brush my shoulders or come a little bit past, but I've got to be able to get a brush through it myself, something that I haven't been able to do in at least 6 or 8 weeks now since the length has become unmanageable.

Singing of the Son

This is my second attempt at this post. I had it all written, live on my website, then was trying to edit in additional resources. Somehow I ended up, with a single slip of the hand (surprisingly, this hasn't happened often, regardless of my single-handedness in typing) and managed to wipe the entire post out, new edits, along with what was already here.

So I apologize that this post is several hours late and that is shorter than I would like. It's this or nothing at this point!

Today's  #NHBPM post is intended as, "a playlist for [my] health community."

I'm not going to recreate a list of ever song that has been comforting to me in the past 20+ years, through so many different experiences, but one song that has been very meaningful to me this past year is Your Hands.

 
Today I'm jumping off the challenge theme suggestion and instead sharing several songs that are connected to the Heaven experience I shared yesterday.

This is the song I first used to explain what I felt when I told my mom.

Some of these specific videos aren't selected for the musical (or voice) quality or style, but for the lyrics and photography or artwork.

Heaven Came Down

Shine Jesus Shine

 
If the Son sets you Free...

I have more to add, but want to get these posted before I loose them again!

Another video and more thoughts on When I Die.

Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)

Reformer

Hell to Pay

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Today I am thankful for freedom of (not from) religion we enjoy in this country. I am thankful to be able to make a post like this without fear of government censorship. I am glad to be able to search for, easily access, and share such things. I'm thankful for the men, women and families of our military who sacrifice to keep such freedom at my disposal!

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First Published Book: Hannah's Hope : Seeking God's Heart in the Midst of Infertility, Miscarriage, and Adoption Loss

Book-in-progress on drawing on the fruit of the Spirit in times of trial: Harvesting Hope from Heartache

Next book-in-progress: 6 strokes at age 39, Stroke of Grace

Future manuscript in the plans: Given Me a Thorn, the apostle Paul's story as applicable to living with chronic illness

Waiting Room

Today #NHBPM prompt is, "Redesign a doctor’s office or hospital room."

I don't have a ton of clear memories of the hospital. It is a series of impressions and some distinct, individual memories. But my general impression was that everything was lacking in color. So, first of all, I would say, make sure there are some color splashes! A friend asked me what small gift she might consider taking to a nursing home. I did not hesitate to suggest bright flowers.

Second, I would say, make sure the room is bright and feels as non-claustrophobic as possible. I  didn't have great views in the main hospital, a hospital roof and a brick wall, but at least I could see out my windows (I had severe double vision and couldn't really see out, but that;s not the hospital's fault). I have no idea what my ICU room's view was like and I couldn't describe the first room they brought me to in the main hospital, so I can only comment on the two I remember well enough.

My rehab hospital rooms (all three!) had huge picture windows, but they were unusable. Here is an excerpt description from my stroke blog: "I was in three different rooms at the rehab hospital and all threee had frosted windows, where they are contracted to hold prisoners in need on rehab, with no view of the outside world. At least I never had a sheriff station outside my door, though I did have a man burst into my room in the middle of one night. "Help! Help! It's a catastrophe. I can't find my clothes." I was still unable to even sit up in bed on my own, much less stand on my own two feet! You better believe, a semi naked man, at the foot of my bed in a wheel chair in the middle of the night, so disoriented that he had pulled out his own IV and couldn't understand that we were both in a hospital, certainly had me urgently pushing my nurse call button! I kind of wished I did have a guard outside my room at that point."

More from my upcoming book tells, "The windows were blanked out. The opening part of the windows secured shut. While I could sense the rising and setting of the sun, hear voices from by-passers, and knew one of the rooms to be situated next to a lovely courtyard, I could witness none of this from my bed. As I lay there, day by day, staring at a darkened piece of glass, I tried to have hope in the prospect that one day I would not only see, but breath, that fresh air outside, for myself...

"I think it is like that with Heaven. We read descriptions and promises, but it is easy to loose patience and real belief, that we will actually get there some day. All we see are the often-dismal limitations of our circumstances, the walls of this finite time line. If anyone asks, we intellectually believe in the goodness of God and the glory of an afterlife with Him, but it is no different than trying to look through my inmate-frosted windows. We can say we believe that glory awaits us down the hall and through the doors, but until we taste it for ourselves, we only know in part and really have no concept of why we are to patiently hold on with hope."

So how would I redesign a waiting room or hospital room? You would think after all the doctors I visit and nearly 2 month in at least 7 different hospital rooms, I would have more input, but my redesign ideas are pretty basic. In addition to what I've already mentioned (color and brightness/visibility) I would simply add that rooms should be rather modern in feel. I've sat in way too many dark, dingy-feeling, dated waiting rooms with carpet and/or wood paneling out of the 60s or 70s. This doesn't instill great confidence in the doctor I am about to meet! And while I love pastels, a waiting room out of the 80s decor isn't much more exciting. So a clean, bright, modern look is pretty important. Plants and flowers, especially live/fresh, or at least high quality silks (the kind you have to inspect and debate over its realness) are a nice touch too!

Very soft, gentle music (in a waiting room, the option to turn sound on and off in a hospital room) is important too. There is little more prone to grating at my nerves more than irritating waiting room music when I'm already feeling anxious about my health issues. I take that back, silence, punctuated by whirring, clicking or other sound effects (medical equipment from the practice, an old heating/cooling system, other building noises) is worse!

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Happy birthday (yesterday) to Susan, sister of my heart! <3 br="br">

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Today I am thankful that God is the one toward whom I entrust my future, not only eternally but for the days ordained for me on this earth.

I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior. –1 Timothy 2:1-3

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First Published Book: Hannah's Hope : Seeking God's Heart in the Midst of Infertility, Miscarriage, and Adoption Loss

Book-in-progress on drawing on the fruit of the Spirit in times of trial: Harvesting Hope from Heartache


Next book-in-progress: 6 strokes at age 39, Stroke of Grace

Future manuscript in the plans: Given Me a Thorn, the apostle Paul's story as applicable to living with chronic illness  

Musical Genius?

Bad news: My 108 year old piano has had the ivory keys defaced.

Good news:
My 5-year-old can properly identify the A-G keys from one end of the piano to the other.

I didn't know he even knew the concept of a musical scale, much less the ability to properly identify (and mark) every key.

In the interest of full disclosure I must admit that one octave reads "A, D, C, D, E, F, G," but out of an entire 52 white keys, I'm chalking that up to classic 5-year-old reversal and still saying he correctly marked the entire keyboard.

Thank you for the 25 Facebook comments worth of helpful cleaning advice, especially the non-allergenic options that are safe for antique ivory, when this first happened last week.

I think I've decided to leave the piano as marked, as part of our family legacy. I'm posting these pictures at my Mom's request. ;)