New Album!

My friend, Eric Schumacher, in collaboration with David Ward (and others) just released their latest album, Merciful to Me. It was co-produced by David Ward and Steve Cook (of Sovereign Grace Music). It contains the vocals of Devon Kauflin, Shannon Harris, Jake Armerding, Lucia Newell, and others, as well as a host of great instrumentalists from around the country. The 13 tracks are an eclectic mix of styles, including bluegrass, pop, classic jazz, driving rock, and orchestral arrangements.

I love that all of these songs are theologically rich and have gospel-saturated lyrics. I especially liked the song, Merciful to Me.

For more information about the project and song samples visit their website.

1/2

i did it! i registered for the 1/2 today, so i guess it's official.

162:365

the wall is slowly taking shape.
not the best picture, but you get the idea.

it was a good long weekend.
friday i ran 5 miles.
saturday i ran 5 miles.
sunday i ran 6 miles.
monday i ran 5 miles.
today was my best run in awhile. i even had positive thoughts about running the 1/2 next month.
i still haven't registered. i still haven't really trained either. oops!
i have 2 more weeks to register before the price increases. hmmm...

saturday i slept in until almost 9! it made me thankful that i'm not training for a marathon this year; getting up for those early morning long runs.

some things we (myself included) are working on as we go about our school days:

getting the day started right - greeting each other with a smile in the morning

A cheerful heart is good medicine,

but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22

gentle answers to each other
building each other up
laughing together
encouraging each other
working hard and doing our best
remembering good manners
if someone is talking, remember to look them in the eye

this is going to be one of our key verses to memorize and put into practice this year:
Romans 12:10
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.

^{Isaiah 43:18-19
18} "Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.

¹⁹ See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the desert
and streams in the wasteland.

i am not going to dwell on the past- on the heartache of what has been. He is going (and has already) to do something new. nothing is too great for Him to accomplish. i am reminded of His power and His ability to do just that.

and hope is here.

161:365

::i love this picture so much! i put it in a frame right away.