I grew up listening to Psalty sing praise songs and Adventures in Odyssey play on the radio on Saturday mornings.

But I was an adult before I learned the true story of what Jesus sacrificed to save me while I was watching an Easter play in 1998.

The story came to life with the actors and choir and I was moved to the core of my heart by the story of the cross.

Jesus won me to Himself that day.  And, I have never been the same.

I have tried to be much more intentional about sharing the stories of the Bible with my children.  We open the Word for wisdom, guidance and direction.  When my boys were small, they loved hearing the story of Daniel and the lion’s den and the three men {whose names I know but am not going to attempt to spell} in the fiery furnace.

Now that the boys are older, we tend to focus on different stories, like Gideon’s fleece or King Hezekiah.  Men of courage and valor.  Men willing to make the hard choices at the Lord’s prompting.

I was so blessed to review this amazing new way to tell the stories of the Bible.

The music and lyrics truly bring these biblical stories to life.

Two of my favorites include It Must Be You (MOSES) sung by Bart Millard and Broken Praise (JOB) by Todd Smith.  I enjoyed every.single.song!  Jeremy Camp, Natalie Grant and many other talented Christian artists provide some of their best work for this CD!

I was moved to tears by these songs, peacefully lulled by the lyrics and moved by the musical movement of the stories God wrote.

This is what is being said about The Story:

THE STORY is an unparalleled project from the best-known artists in Christian music. The songs on THE STORY take timeless biblical stories and provide a completely new context into how God’s story of love and redemption intersects with our story of brokenness and failures resulting in a new story of hope and rescue. The CD contains 18 all-new songs written by multiple Dove Award-Winners Nichole Nordeman & Bernie Herms, produced by Brown Bannister & Bernie Herms, and a stellar line-up of artists across all major labels. (Music Inspired By) THE STORY is based on a collaboration with authors Randy Frazee (The Heart Of The Story) & Max Lucado (God’s Story Your Story) as well as Zondervan’s bible The Story.

You can find The Story at Amazon.com and on iTunes.

The Story (watch this video on YouTube for a sneak peek)

This would make a wonderful Christmas gift for family and friends of all ages!

*This is a sponsored review.  I was provided with The Story for my feedback.  All opinions and stories expressed are my own.

and that is why I love this new CD, by Ginger Millermon, called Rescued that I had the opportunity to review. 

Talk about heartfelt lyrics….here are the lyrics from my favorite song on the CD:

I found God’s mercy in an old wooden pew in 1983~When I realized He gave His life for me~He changed my heart so unexpectedly~That’s when I found God’s mercy

I saw God’s mercy in a children’s hospital, room 223~My little boy was barely holding on to life~then a miracle, it showed up one night~That’s when I saw God’s mercy

Oh, the Lord is good~and His mercy is forever~and even if I could explain this mystery~How much He loves me~and it goes on and on and on and on and on~and it goes on and on and on and on and on

I held God’s mercy in an orphanage 8000 miles away~a little girl abandoned without hope~I promised her I would take her home~That’s when I held God’s mercy~That’s when I saw God’s mercy~That’s when I found God’s mercy

This song briefly touches on what is an amazing testimony- a child fighting for life, adopting a little girl from India and all the ways God intervened in between.

One of her song’s “Let Your Healing Begin” has also become a favorite after listening to this CD.

I encourage you to check out Ginger’s Facebook page and consider purchasing a CD…especially if you are like me and God uses music to minister to your soul.

I received a complimentary copy of “Rescued” for review, all opinions expressed are mine.

I love music.

According to my grandmother and mom, I always have.  I would say “put the do-do on” at a very young age (calling music “do-do” because those who loved on me would dance around singing “do-do-do-do”, etc…it didn’t take much to make me happy )

I took flute, piano and voice lessons as a girl and today I sing on the worship team at my church.

Why are you telling us this Melissa?

For a few reasons:

1. to convey how much I love music
2. to convey how daggone adorable I was as a toddler
3. to convey my love for a new CD I just reviewed

Jennifer Shaw’s Love Broke Through CD is an eclectic mix of songs…some fun and upbeat and some that showcase her background as a dramatic singer on stage.  

Not only does Jennifer have a beautiful voice and touching lyrics, she has a story to tell too.

And y’all know I love any story of how God moves in someones life!

To read Jennifer’s story visit her about page.  To listen to some of her songs click here.

I hope you will find yourself connecting with the songs as I did.

Music is one of my very favorite things and Jennifer Shaw’s CD went right on my iPod!  And I am not the only one that thinks her music is awesome- her first single from the CD, “Your Great Name”, quickly rose to the top 3 of the CMW Worship Charts!

Here is an even finer thing- the lovely folks that sent me Jennifer’s CD to review want to give one to one of my lucky readers!

If you want a chance to have Jennifer’s CD sent to you simply leave me a comment letting me know a song that has recently spoken to your heart.  I would love to hear your stories!

Details/Disclosure:  This giveaway is open to all residents of the US and Canada.  Open from 3/13/10- Wednesday 3/17/10 at 10pm. Winner will be chosen via random.org from qualifying comments and announced Thursday 3/18/10.  I was provided with a copy of this CD for review.  All opinions expressed are mine and not influenced in any way by any third party.