Dream In Soul – Creativity for the Kingdom:

This beautiful song became a favorite of mine last Christmas, and I’ve found myself singing it throughout the year – now that it’s actually Christmastime I have an excuse to post it. From Chris Tomlin’s first Christmas album, Glory in the Highest: Christmas Songs of Worship.

Lyrics
What hope we hold this starlit night
A King is born in Bethlehem
Our journey long, we seek the light
That leads to the hallowed manger ground
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Here are some of Dream in Soul’s favorite Christmas songs from throughout the years, (the list was posted last year but reposted because they are still favorites!). You can listen to clips from the songs in the widget, and see the selections and album info below. What are some of your favorites?

Notable Quotable:
“Now as we give gifts to loved ones,
It should remind us of God’s gift to us
Jesus the King sent from the Father above…

So on every Christmas day
Remember the reason why we celebrate
Lift up your voice, make a joyful noise
Give thanks for we have been redeemed…”

– Fred Hammond, From the song “Just Remember” from Fred Hammond Christmas: Just Remember

The Songs

* Christmas Makes Me Cry – Mandisa featuring Matthew West
From the album It’s Christmas (Click for more info)

* Christmas Invitation – David & Nicole Binion
From the album When Heaven Kisses Earth (Click for more info)

* Just Remember – Fred Hammond
From the album Fred Hammond Christmas: Just Remember (Click for more info)

* Christmastime – Michael W. Smith
From the album The Ultimate Christmas Collection (Click for more info)

* Now Behold The Lamb – Kirk Franklin & The Family
From the album Kirk Franklin and the Family Christmas (Click for more info)

* O Come, All Ye Faithful – Stacie Orrico
From the album Christmas Wish (Click for more info)

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As we enter the season of giving to others and celebrating God’s gift to us, let’s reserve what we often hold on to for ourselves – our dreams, our hearts, our lives – for the One who deserves it all. The song “I Give Myself Away,” from the album “As We Worship Live” from William McDowell, reminds us of this surrender.

William McDowell on “I Give Myself Away”

McDowell wrote a powerful blog entry on his website speaking about the intent and story behind the song…

“I Give Myself Away is a dangerous song to sing.

“A few months ago I wrote in my Facebook status that I am really being challenged by the lyrics of my own songs. It’s much easier to sing about giving yourself away than it is to make it a daily reality. Help me Lord to make it a reality and not just a melody. There were a lot of responses and of course when one opens their heart the way I did there is a lot of room for interpretation. Let me clarify what I was saying. I believe that some understood and some maybe didn’t quite understand what I am saying…”

“I Give Myself Away” Lyrics

Here I am
Here I stand
Lord my life is in Your hands
Lord I’m longing to see Your desires revealed in me
I give myself away
I give myself away so You can use me

Take my heart
Take my life as a living sacrifice
All my dreams
All my plans
Lord I place them in Your hands
I give myself away
I give myself away so You can use me

My life is not my own
To You I belong
I give myself
I give myself to You

This December William will be recording his upcoming album ARISE live in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, with Martha Munizzi, Mary Alessi, and David and Nicole Binion as special guests. He says of the new project via his website, “While many are still being blessed by “As We Worship” God has been giving me songs for the next season and I am excited to be able to release what is inside of me soon. It will be released sometime in 2011. Stay tuned!”

When you have a divine urging inside of your heart it can be hard to ignore it, but can sometimes become difficult to press forward to what God has called you to do. Purpose often doesn’t come without its detours especially when obstacles and disappointments blur the vision God placed in our heart.

Dianna Hobbs can attest to facing obstacles when pursuing music, her buried passion. As the Founder and Editor-In-Chief of EEW Magazine, the premiere Christian publication for African American women, she has paved a path of influence in media throughout the years, along with pouring out daily encouragement on her blog.

Behind the scenes though she felt God drawing her to begin her music ministry. It was only recently that she got the courage to do what He said, and thankfully she did. Now Dianna is inspiring many hearts through her music, which blends CCM, pop, R&B, and sometimes, soft rock along with encouraging messages. In this interview Dianna talks about her journey and gives advice to others who may need direction in bringing their God-given dreams into fruition…
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In the video below Lecrae did an interview with Rapzilla.com some weeks back before the release of his album Rehab. In it he talks about pushing the creative envelope to produce music that both glorifies God in Biblically-sound content and in artistic excellence and quality:

In the weeks after the release Rehab not only reached lives around the world but hit No. 1 on the Billboard Contemporary Christian chart and No. 1 on the Billboard Gospel Albums chart. The album, Lecrae’s fourth, also broke into the Billboard Top 200 Albums debuting at No. 17, while reaching No. 3 on the Top 10 Albums chart on iTunes.

If you haven’t already, be sure to get the album on iTunes, Amazon, or on the Reach Records storefront. You can also experience REHAB live with the UNASHAMED 2010: THE MOVEMENT tour coming to a city near you. Click here to find out about tour dates and catch the tour promo below:

Click below to see the video for the song “Background” from the album Rehab.