cold no more

It's been pretty quiet on the homefront around here - I don't truthfully have much new to write about. We're back in the swing of normal life after the holidays: Bible Study, Awana, Life Centers, Small Group... and trying to stay warm amidst FRIGID temperatures.

So, I thought I'd put in a plug for a new product I discovered last fall. I've now used it three times at the first symptoms of a cold, and every time, it's stopped my sickness in its tracks.

Zicam is a homeopathic concoction of zinc and other ingredients that my colds have not been able to stand up against! I've tried the oral mist and the pills, and much prefer the mist (the pills left a nasty flavor behind).

Anyways, just thought I'd share as we're in the middle of cold and flu season. Hope it can save someone else from a few down days!

tunes

Buying new music is something I rarely do. I don't know why... I guess I would usually rather put the money toward other things. A little scared to commit to something that I can't return if I don't like it, I guess I figure the songs picked out by the DJs on the radio are good enough for me.

I've realized lately that for me, good music can be a healthy, highly beneficial, sometimes even necessary splurge. It can literally change my heart, my mind, and therefore, my attitude!

Since I was blessed to receive multiple itunes gift cards for Christmas, I decided to start the new year off by loading some fresh artists into my ipod! I'm so thankful I did. I didn't really know where to start... except that I wanted solid, worshipful, praise-filled songs. Red Mountain Church embodies these qualities to me, so I started exploring the "similar artists" on itunes. This search led me to the following albums which I can already whole-heartedly endorse.

Psalms, by Sovereign Grace Music

I am an avid reader of GirlTalk, the blog written by the wife and daughters of the founder of Sovereign Grace Ministries, but somehow I had NO IDEA that they had a worship ministry. So many great cds to choose from. I ended up picking Psalms, because how you can go wrong with a collection of songs that the Lord authored through David? It's been on repeat all week.

Come Weary Saints, by Sovereign Grace Music

This one's full of sound theology and encouragement for the believer facing struggles both big and small. It reminds me, over and over again, of God's sovereignty, of His lovingkindess toward His children and of the inextinguishable joy of our salvation. Highly recommend it.

A Hymn Project, by Shelly Moore Band

There are only six songs on this album, but they're all packed with a punch! Great arrangements, great heart, great voice, great truths.

Your Great Name, Single by Natalie Grant

While I didn't purchase Grant's entire album, I heard this single on the radio a few weeks ago and was so struck by its powerful, worship-filled lyrics. I discovered the acoustic version, available as a bonus track and single purchase on itunes, and that's the one I ended up choosing. You'll want to blast it to the highest volume and play it over and over and over. :)

I still have some itunes credit remaining... can anyone offer some tried-and-true suggestions for how I should spend the rest of it?