The Paris Betrayal is another great suspense thriller by author James R. Hannibal.
The Paris Betrayal has short chapters and lots of suspense. I was quickly reading the chapters while the suspense built. I really liked Clara, Ben, and Clara’s dachshund, Otto. I had problems figuring out who some of the antagonists were and I liked that.
My introduction to the writings of Mr. Hannibal was the great Talia Inger series. If the reader likes a quick suspense novel pick up The Paris Betrayal.
I learned that a host carrying the measles can infect 18 others before being quarantined.
Disclaimer: Tissues may be needed!!
God Bless and Thank You for reading. I give The Paris Betrayal 5/5*
Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255
Scripture / History Reveal That After Suffering Comes Revival – God Has Not Abandoned Us
With a passion to encourage congregational worship, create resources for churches and draw listeners closer to God, Highlands Worship releases “Heaven Is My Home” today (Nov. 13) to digital retail and streaming outlets globally through The Fuel Music.
“In an effort to more closely unite songwriting creativity with the current heart of our church, we have been listening intently to the weekly sermons of our pastor,” shares Chris Griffin, who co-wrote and produced the song. “Taking note of the nuance in his messages, this has sparked a new sense of connection to our pastor’s weekly leading, and the overall direction of our church. ‘Heaven Is My Home’ came directly from one of these deep dives into a Sunday sermon.”
In the sermon, Pastor Chris Hodges explains why he believes that “We are at the doorstep of a great revival.” Taking listeners through both Biblical and historical references, he shares that revival always tends to follow suffering.
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Looking at the riots and unsettling that occurred in the 60s, Pastor Chris recalls in his sermon how the cover of Time Magazine, on April 8, 1966, asked the question, “Is God Dead,” and then five years later (6/21/71) the cover of Time read, “The Jesus Revolution.”
“Every time there has been an increase of wickedness, there has been an increase of the Word of God,” says Pastor Chris, revealing that God is indeed not dead, is still paying attention and is working even amidst the suffering. In fact, in suffering, God may do his best work.
“‘Heaven Is Our Home’ especially resonates because of the challenges of 2020 – the pandemic, racial and political unrest, etc.,” says Worship Pastor John Larson, who leads the Highlands Worship team of 1,000+ members and 70+ full or part-time musicians on staff. “Many are suffering and may ‘feel’ as if God is not paying attention, but as Pastor Chris shares, God has not abandoned us. Heaven is indeed our home.”
This latest song from Highlands Worship follows their Shine Heaven’s Light: A Christmas EP released last year. The EP is a six-song recording that includes both songs of worship for Christmas and classics re-crafted with ambitious modern interpretations featuring a full string orchestra and a resounding choir of voices. Along with the inspiring and uniquely percussive “O Come Emmanuel,” other classics include the soulful, guitar-infused “Joy to the World” and the worshipful “Born in Bethlehem.” The recording also features “Let There Be Peace,” “Earth Stood Still” and the C.J. Blount led, piano-driven, orchestra-lifted declaration “He Has Come.“
Birmingham, AL-based Highlands Worship, the worship ministry of Church of the Highlands, released its first full-length, live album, Place of Freedom, in 2012 followed by the Christmas EP, My King Is Here (2013), the acclaimed debut studio album, Here I Surrender (2016), Shine Heaven’s Light: A Christmas EP (2019), and the No. 1 SoundScan Praise and Worship album Jesus You Alone (2019). With churches around the world using its songs in their own services, Highlands Worship songs have also become one of the top most-requested from worship teams that use MultiTracks’ digital resources.
Founded in 2001, Church of the Highlands, under the leadership of Pastor Chris Hodges, has expanded to 23 multisite campuses that collectively have over 60,000 people attending online or in-person services weekly. With the accredited Highlands College as well as student, kids, marriage and family and more ministry outreaches, the church purposes “to reach people with the life-giving message of Jesus that they might become fully devoted followers of Christ.”
About The Fuel Music:
Established in 2008, The Fuel Music & Management, LLC, is a leading artist management and artist solutions company that independently distributes music internationally. Based in Nashville, TN, the Fuel team brings nearly 70 years of combined music industry experience in record label operations, major label distribution and marketing, and artist management for artists ranging from upstart bands to GRAMMY Award-winning, multi-Platinum artists. More information on the company can be found at www.thefuelmusic.com.
Based in Melbourne, Australia, where citizens are under one of the world’s most extreme and crippling quarantine measures due to COVID-19, Planetshakers has been following all the governmental guidelines while finding ways to connect and continue its mission. Known for its songs and albums recorded in massive stadium settings with engaging praise and worship, the internationally recognized band has been inspired to find new ways to raise up a generation of Christ followers with a clear vision of taking the Gospel to the nations.
“From a sonic perspective, we have been able to push the envelope, doing things in the studio that we couldn’t do live,” shares Hunt. “While we can’t have people together in a building, we are finding a way around some pretty incredible challenges. The church is essential. Praise is essential. And this pandemic is not going to quarantine our worship. We may not be able to gather physically, but we can join in praise and worship remotely and through this new album.”
With many of these songs sharing Bible-based, faith declarations, the album opens with the “247 365” principle of worship as the title track emphasizes that God is “Over It All.” The closing track, “The Great Outpouring,” looks past the present pandemic, and declares:
Can you see it, revival is in the air
There is freedom, the churches be filled again
In this season, Heaven is rushing in
This is the great outpouring
As part of that mission to “empower generations to win generations,” Planetshakers is seeing phenomenal streaming numbers online. Hundreds of thousands of people from all across the globe are connecting to this ministry remotely and are being inspired by the hope of the gospel.
“People are not wanting to quarantine their faith, their worship,” says Russell Evans, Planetshakers Founder and Lead Pastor. “We are called to release a sound of heaven on the earth. Our prayer is as people worship the Lord with our new album, this will change the atmosphere over their homes, churches, cities and nations. I believe there are many prophetic declarations in the songs of this new album. We are so excited to see what God is going to do.”
“No one is excluded from having to deal with the pandemic, but the Lord can make this horrible situation turn around into something good. We are already seeing that,” adds Joshua Brown. “While there is much fear and uncertainty in this world, God came to give us life. He is the Prince of Peace. We are choosing to lift up the name of Jesus, to believe the Word of God, to make a joyful noise, even if there isn’t much joy around us right now.”
With most of the new songs on the album released initially as part of a new Demos song series earlier this year, the track listing for the completely re-recorded and full production Over It All follows:
01) 247 365
02) All Things New
03) So Fresh
04) Over It All
05) All I Can Say (Thank You)
06) Caught Up In Your Presence
07) Chains Are Breaking
08) Champion
09) Call On Your Name
10) Great Outpouring
All the latest Planetshakers music and more news can be found at Planetshakers.com, YouTube (1.1 million subscribers), Instagram (596,000 followers), Spotify (717,000 monthly listeners), Twitter (177,700 followers) and Facebook (over 1.6 million followers).
Dear Friends, Centricity Music recording artist Jason Gray has combined insightful and heartfelt lyrics with infectious pop melodies for over a decade. This bestselling, multiple No. 1 and Top 5 hit-making songwriter released his long-awaited, seven-song Reorder EP Oct. 2. The EP is the third part of his 18-song Order Disorder Reorder LP that releases Oct. 23.
Part one of his new album, Order, released just over a year ago, features the Top 10 Billboard Christian AC chart radio hit “I’m Gonna Let It Go” and explores topics “when things are more or less going the way you hope.” Part two, Disorder, released March 20, features the Top 20 Billboard AC Indicator chart hit single “Remind Me You’re Here” and is a group of honest, transformative songs about when order falls apart. The final chapter of Gray’s new album, Reorder, features the radio single “Glory Days” and is about coming out the other side of our hardship “as wiser, stronger, more humble and compassionate versions of ourselves.”
The cascading release schedule of Order Disorder Reorder has been divided into three parts “to give time and space to reflect on one part of the journey before digging into the next,” Gray says.
Playing the new music and fan favorites at several events this month while taking responsible COVID-19 precautions, Gray is also hosting the widely successful Acoustic Storytimeheard on SiriusXM The Message on the second Friday of every month at noon ET. Named after his live album that released in 2008, this monthly writer’s-round radio show recorded at The Well Coffeehouse in Nashville (Brentwood, TN) is sponsored by Compassion LIVE and features performances and stories behind the songs from many well-known Christian artists.
Planted with a Purpose is an inspirational Christian living book by author T.D. Jakes.
Could there be a reason for our suffering? Is the best yet to come? As I read this book I reflected on COVID-19 and how it’s affecting the world. Could there be a greater purpose?
At the end of each chapter there are questions to ask yourself. Thinking about the COVID-19 pandemic the questions I appreciated most are: (1) When you encounter trouble, what can you remind yourself about God’s nature? and (2) How has God used trouble for your good in the past? (p. 42)
As the world is in a waiting season to see what God does next, how are we allowing God to prepare and mature us? I would love for you to answer the above questions in the comments section below.
This short, pocket-sized book is a great tool for everyone. I especially recommend it to fans of inspirational books.
Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255
Book Description From GoodReads:
#1 New York Times bestselling author T.D. Jakes wrestles with the age-old questions: Why do the righteous suffer? Where is God in all the injustice? Bishop Jakes wants to encourage you that God uses difficult, crushing experiences to prepare you for unexpected blessings. If you are faithful through suffering, you will be surprised by God’s joy, comforted by His peace, and fulfilled with His purpose. In this book–small and portable enough to fit in a purse, suitcase, backpack, briefcase, or even a pocket–PLANTED WITH A PURPOSE will inspire you to have hope, even in your most difficult moments. If you trust in God and lean on Him during setbacks, He will lead you through.
New Music Stems From Season Of Prayer, Letting Go Of Anxiety, Stress, Messed-Up Priorities To Become “most vulnerable, God-loving, Jesus-focused person I can be”
Dove Award-winning pop recording artist and songwriter Jordan Feliz releases “Glorify,” his first new music of 2020 and lead single from his third full-length project slated to release early 2021. Available beginning May 1 at digital and streaming outlets everywhere from Centricity Music, the song goes to radio next month. “Glorify” follows a string of No. 1 and top 10 charting, pop-centric singles like “Witness,” “Changed” and “Faith” from Feliz’s Billboard No. 1 Top Christian Album, Future.
The soulful, R&B-tinged “Glorify” features a full gospel choir backing Jordan’s recognizable falsetto. In the vein of soulful acts like Earth, Wind & Fire, Al Green and Sam Cooke, Feliz pushes the song into wooden pew, altar call simplicity with a soaring praise-heavy chorus and signature propulsive beats.
“I don’t know if I’ve ever been as excited for a song as I am for this one,” Feliz says of the new single. “Glorify means ‘praise and worship,’ but the sub-context of the word actually is to acknowledge and reveal the majesty and splendor of God by one’s actions. For me, coming out of this hard season of anxiety, stress and messed up priorities, now all I want my life to do is to glorify. I want to reveal the majesty of God by my actions.”
Feliz wrote the fresh track with longtime collaborators Colby Wedgeworth, Paul Duncan and Jordan Mohilowski. Together, Wedgeworth and Mohilowski also co-produced the single. Sonically, with its healthy blend of pop, gospel and soul, “Glorify” forms a sturdy bridge between Future and Feliz’s next studio release, due in 2021. Lyrically, it offers some of Feliz’s most transparent work to date.
“Before we started working on new music, I started asking the Lord to give me something to say, and I felt like He just said, ‘Say everything that’s on your heart. Say everything that you’ve been through. Be as vulnerable as possible. Tell the world the thing that you’re terrified to tell the world,’” Feliz recalls. “I think sometimes the things you’re scared to bring to people are most likely the most impactful.”
While “Glorify” is not a personal confession, its message lays out the kind of purpose Feliz is now singularly focused on. “I feel like God has really revealed a lot to me in this season, and I think He’s gearing me and my team up for something special. I’m really honored to be a part of the ride right now, and I just want God to be honored through it,” Feliz shares. “I’m going to be the most vulnerable, God-loving, Jesus-focused person I can be. I want to show people who I am.”
Spending his COVID-19 quarantine time in prayer mode, especially focusing on Psalm 91, Feliz says, “Our world is fearful, for good reason, but the beauty in all of this is that Jesus is still on the throne and in control of all of this. What an amazing time to reveal the majesty of our God and for believers to come out of the woodwork, donating their time and encouraging people by speaking life and truth over them.”
Centricity Music recording artist Jordan Feliz quickly became a household name when his first radio single, “The River”—the title track from his critically-acclaimed debut—became a smash hit. Spending an unprecedented 12 weeks at No. 1, the chart-topping single was named ASCAP’s “Christian Music Song of the Year” and garnered Feliz his first Gold certification. Thanks to his charismatic vocals and signature blend of soulful pop, each of his five subsequent radio singles has landed in the Top 10 with “Witness” notching a second No. 1 for the singer. In addition, the California-native has been nominated for five Dove Awards, taking home the trophy for 2016’s “New Artist of the Year.” Amassing more than 350K in worldwide consumption, he’s toured with some of the biggest names in Christian music, including TobyMac, for KING & COUNTRY, Matthew West, Michael W. Smith and Crowder, among others; and in a short time, he’s risen to headliner status. Feliz is currently working on his follow-up to his sophomore LP, Future, which debuted at the top of the Billboard Christian Albums chart.
About Centricity Music:
Centricity is an independent Christian music company based in Franklin, TN. Founded in 2005 with a commitment to artist development and stylistic diversity, its artist roster includes Andrew Peterson, Apollo LTD, Caitie Hurst, Chris Renzema, Coby James, Jason Gray, Jonny Diaz, Jordan Feliz, Lauren Daigle, Neon Feather, North Point Worship, PEABOD and Unspoken. Providing label and publishing services, Centricity is a family-owned organization, and they like it that way. The committed work of its staff and artists has yielded successes such as Grammy Awards, Billboard Awards, Dove Awards, K-Love Fan Awards, and multiple Gold and Platinum Albums and Singles. For more information on Centricity Music, visit www.centricitymusic.com.
Anthems, Songs Of Hope Birthed In Prayer Room Hit No. 1 On iTunes,
Receive Well Over One Million Streams On Spotify Alone
The recording captures ten anthems recorded live across several Sunday services at UPPERROOM, the church in Dallas’ creative Design District that started in 2010 and exists to plant praying communities centered around the Presence of Jesus throughout the earth.
Originally scheduled to release later this year, Land of the Living was revealed early as the team at UPPEROOM felt the songs were meant to inspire hope, peace and faith amidst a season where the world is struggling with Covid-19.
“I feel like this is going to impart hope to a lot of people who may be struggling with hopelessness,” adds Elyssa Smith, who leads worship at UPPERROOM’s main church campus in Dallas, TX. “For it to drop at this moment, having no idea six, seven months ago that we would be living in this time, I see the intentionality of the Lord. And I feel the absolute honor and humility of the Lord trusting our community with these types of songs, knowing that this week was coming for the nation and the earth.”
Like its Good Morning America-featured “Surrounded (Fight My Battles)” featured on its acclaimed debut album, To The One, UPPERROOM’s Land of the Living songs have been uniquely curated by its songwriters as they gathered together to expand melodies and lyrics spontaneously received in the ministry’s Morning/Noon/Night Prayer Room. Produced by Matt Fish and Oscar Gamboa, the new album also includes the title track that began in a night of deep despair for worship leader Cody Ray Lee.
“As I cried out to God that night the verses came to me instantly and they felt like the deep intercession of my soul being poured out to God,” says Lee. “The more I sang the verses I started realizing that the chorus was going to be David’s declaration in Psalms 27:13: ‘I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living,’ a declarative statement for all who need/desire God’s goodness.
“My encouragement to those listening is that no matter the state of being we are in, we can remain confident that God’s goodness will always shine through,” continues Lee.
The new album further features “Into The Battle,” a prayer against anxiety and depression, “Oh The Cross,” a declarative response to the rescuing work of Jesus led by Smith and co-written by Jeremy Riddle, “Rest On Us,” which honors the Holy Spirit and the day of Pentecost, and “Unto the Lamb,” inspired by Colossians 1:15-18 and Revelation 5.
The full Land of the Living track listing and respective songwriters, follows:
1. Rest on Us (Live) – Elyssa Smith, Anthony Brown, Brandon Lake, Harvest Bashta, Jonathan Jay, Rebekah White 2. Land of the Living (Live) – Cody Ray Lee, Elyssa Smith, Oscar Gamboa 3. Move Your Heart (Live) – Elyssa Smith, Oscar Gamboa, Joel Figueroa, Dante Bowe 4. Oh the Cross (Live) – Lindy Conant-Cofer, Elyssa Smith, Jeremy Riddle
5. Into the Battle (Live) – Matt Fish, Cody Ray Lee, Julian Gamboa 6. King of Kings (Live) – Brett Bell, Beau Maddox 7. I Just Love You (Live) – Matt Fish, Oscar Gamboa, Abbie Gamboa 8. Unto the Lamb (Live) – Joel Figueroa, Sebastian Suarez, Oscar Gamboa 9. Emmanuel (Champion of the World) (Live) – Eniola Abioye, Oscar Gamboa, Joel Figueroa, Sebastian Suarez 10. History (Live) – Jonathan Lewis, Matt Fish, Julian Gamboa, Sebastian Suarez, Oscar Gamboa
UPPERROOM is the music ministry of Upperroom Global, a prayer and worship movement that exists to see God’s presence transform cities. Founded by Senior Pastors Michael and Lorisa Miller with campuses in Dallas and Frisco, TX, Denver, CO and Delhi (India), Upperroom Global’s mission is to be an equipping engine for ministry to the Lord through planting local churches, events, training, funding modern-day Levites and creating online media resources for the masses. Opening its doors ten years ago without much fanfare, people around the globe are now singing its songs as around 100 vocalists, songwriters and musicians contribute their talents to leading people in worship three times a day, six days a week.
Although UPPERROOM has been leading people in worship and prayer for a decade, it was only recently that they began to release their music to the culture at large. Last year, UPPERROOM launched its debut album, To The One, featuring Surrounded (Fight My Battles),” a song that was initially birthed in UPPERROOM’s Prayer Room and has since circled the globe, including Michael W. Smith singing it live on ABC’s “Good Morning America.” All the UPPERROOM songs showcase authenticity and are a poignant snapshot of what’s been taking place at UPPERROOM for some time.
About The Fuel Music:
Established in 2008, The Fuel Music & Management, LLC, is a leading artist management and artist solutions company that independently distributes music internationally. Based in Nashville, TN, the Fuel team brings nearly 70 years of combined music industry experience in record label operations, major label distribution and marketing, and artist management for artists ranging from upstart bands to GRAMMY Award-winning, multi-Platinum artists. More information on the company can be found at www.thefuelmusic.com
The Mimosa Blossom 
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