Nichole Nordeman / The Ultimate Collection Stories Behind the Songs
Tuesday, May 19th, 2009 at 12:00 AM by Ruth Tynes / Online Editor / InTheTimes.com
Hi InTheTimes.com Girls!
Recently Nichole NordemanThe Ultimate Collection, a 2-disc set featuring some of Nichole's best-loved songs released! This is a great collection for long-time fans and it makes a great gift for fans to introduce others to the Nichole Nordeman legacy of music!
This week at InTheTimes.com, Nichole shares Stories Behind the Songs from some of the tracks included on The Ultimate Collection ! Check back at InTheTimes.com later this month for more Stories Behind the Songs with Nichole!
Talk soon! RUTH
BRAVE
"I think I expected motherhood to make me soft. Not a wimpy, weak kind of soft, but you know, I had seen all of these pictures in magazines of mothers in rocking chairs snuggling with these little pink and blue bundles in their arms. Or reading bedtime stories and you just get the feeling that somehow that lady’s lap would be a very comfy spot to lay your head down.
I’m not saying that I didn’t experience this "softness" I did, I really do believe that God hard wired mothers to be nurturing. But I guess what really surprised me was how empowered I felt by the whole experience, after the sleep deprivation and hormonal assault subsided, that is.
I kept looking at this little life and marveling that God trusted me to take care of it physically, emotionally, and spiritually. This was an especially astonishing revelation since there is only one small plant in our home that I haven’t killed. The realization that God really believed that Errol and I were up to the task made me look in the mirror differently. I did feel brave suddenly. And a little nuts.
There are days that I look at my little boy and want to suddenly strap a cape around my neck and start leaping from tall buildings, just to make the world better for him. Or to make our home more loving for him, or our marriage stronger. Or to make my heart less selfish. I think he would probably be content with another fistful of cheerios to grind into the carpet, but I want more.
I wrote this song when I realized that the same old, status quo, ho-hum stuff of life that I’d settled for in the past wasn’t going to be good enough any more. Charlie makes me feel brave, makes me want to be brave... Jesus actually makes it so."
HOLY
"This song is among the most important to me on this record. It would seem to sum up best where I am now, and how I got here...to a place where there is very little else that matters other than acknowledging God’s holiness.
I have noticed a pattern in my spiritual life lately, the notion that some of the most profound truths are found in the most simple utterances. This song is a tribute to that simplicity. It chronicles some of my years and seasons of wandering and searching, and points eventually to an astonishingly simple discovery."Somehow, all that matters now is, You are holy." That’s really where I am these days.
Recognizing that we can argue theology until we’re all bored or dead, or join history’s great teachers and philosophers in asking the most confounding, unanswerable questions of the ages. But in the end, there will always be a bottom line. God is holy. We are not. And we can’t begin to come close to understanding that holiness. Or imitating it. At best, in fact, we can shield our eyes from it. And hope only to assume a posture before Him that communicates that we know the importance of saying it over and over again...holy...holy...holy."
* BONUS MUSIC VIDEO --- Check out Nichole's latest music video " Finally Free " also featured on
The Ultimate Collection !
WHAT IF
"I’ve never felt comfortable arguing about God. That’s not to say I haven’t done it. Trust me, I’ve engaged in more than my fair share of full blown, take-your-corner, gloves up, ten full rounds of Bible beating with people. It’s so embarrassing and humiliating to remember. Especially since my victims probably never set foot in another ring, (and not because I was such a formidable opponent, I just had this nasty habit of always hitting below the belt). Winning an argument for God was a big deal.
When I was a young Christian kid, the arguments were about creation vs. evolution. I memorized every angle and verse in my arsenal, and would lay in wait for some unsuspecting Darwinian disciple. ("I’ll show you a big bang...")
In college, the arguments became about politics. My best friend was a bleeding heart liberal, and still is (my best friend and a bleeding heart). She tortures me lovingly with memories of how I used to attach God’s love to right wing politics in many heated dorm room discussions, late into the night. Miraculously, she found something redeeming about my friendship, and now we can both stand on the common ground Christ offers, and just agree to avoid certain topics every four years in November.
These days, people are fully entrenched in arguments about how to reconcile "religion" with stem cell research, gay marriage, and the complicated choices we make in a time of war. Because I am a follower of Jesus, and I believe that the Bible is a timeless and true roadmap, I tend to head there for my answers. Sometimes they are written plain as day before me...other times I close the book with more questions than when I opened it. But I don’t argue any more.
Nobody ever got argued into the arms of Christ. Nobody gets brow beaten or humiliated into a relationship whose very foundation is mercy and grace. And I know there are still many preachers behind too many pulpits around the world who are still trying to scare the hell (quite literally) out of people and into the kingdom of God, but I don’t buy it.
When every argument and piece of well defended evidence sounds empty to a hurting heart, it is the love of Jesus that comes rushing in and changes things. I wrote this song for a friend who I believe strongly will run out of arguments one day, and straight into the arms of Jesus."
>>>Let's go shopping! Nichole has recorded a ton of songs (even made a cameo in a movie)! Make sure to click the links below to hear free audio samples and to purchase your favs! You can buy hard copies of Nichole's albums, download individual songs, download the entire album, or buy used copies for a discounted price!
tags: tween pre-teen teen young adult girl magazine web site blog e-zine christian faith-based biblically-based, interview, celebrity, woven and spun brave the ultimate collection album, stories story behind the songs, nichole nordeman ingram
Alisa Childers "The Truth Is" / Editor's Currently Listening To
Monday, May 18th, 2009 at 12:00 AM by Ruth Tynes / Online Editor / InTheTimes.com
Hi InTheTimes.com Girls!
I'm currently listening to the single "The Truth Is" by Alisa Childers from her self-titled debut solo album!
My fav lyrics? "And the truth is I'm not always that strong / That's why if I make this about me / It won't succeed, I need You desperately"
Everything we do in life should have the LORD as the focus. When we focus solely on ourselves, true success is not achieved. It's alright for us to admit that we need help, it's alright to call out to God desperately because 'in our weakness He is strong'
If you haven't heard the single, click the link above to preview it for free!
Talk Soon! RUTH
>>>Let's go shopping! Alisa has recorded a ton of songs! Make sure to click the links below to hear free audio samples and to purchase your favs! You can buy hard copies of Alisa's albums, download individual songs, download the entire album, or buy used copies for a discounted price!
tags: alisa girard childers zoegirl zoe girl, the truth is alisa childers album, inthetimes.com in the times magazine editor's currently listening to, christian music review devotional, editor picks choices, tween pre-teen teen young adult girl magazine web site blog e-zine christian faith-based biblically-based
