Dream In Soul – Creativity for the Kingdom:

I’ve got the song “Hold Me” from Jamie Grace stuck in my head – it’s so upbeat, unique and catchy. For the past couple of weeks I’ve played it on repeat for the girls who I teach at church, to get them focused on their art projects (and to stop talking about Justin Bieber;) and they love listening to it too as they sing along and color. Glad they can appreciate great music…

TobyMac recently signed Jamie Grace to his label Gotee Records and her EP that was released in February is funky, soulful and creative – something I think anyone will enjoy. (You can preview the EP on her Facebook page here.) I got to see her in action at Women of Faith’s event for teens The Revolve Tour Dream On Garland, TX, event in January (check out some pictures I took at the event) and her story and how focused she is at only 19-years-old is so inspiring.

At Revolve Jamie Grace shared her testimony of how God helped her to deal with a diagnosis of Tourette Syndrome when she was 11-years-old and how she started acting and playing music despite hardships and dealing with discovering who she was. She also shared her song “Hold Me,” and an original song dedicated to Revolve. Despite being her first time being on the Revolve stage she seemed like a seasoned pro and was really inspiring and relatable. She’s an awesome inspiration to me on how God can launch you into your dreams if you trust, practice your craft and give all you do to Him.

I’ve been following Jamie Grace on Youtube since a few years back after I stumbled across one of her videos when I was randomly looking for a review of High School Musical 2 (don’t judge me, I was a bored college student;). I loved her videos talking about dealing with Tourettes and song covers she did with her guitar. Now she’s sharing her story and songs around the country; she’s really come a long way and I know this is only the beginning for the amazing places she’s going!

For more info on Jamie Grace and to order her EP you can visit jamie-grace.com or connect with her on Youtube, Facebook or Twitter: @jamiegraceh

Below check out a clip of a video of Jamie Grace in action at Revolve in TX:

Happy New Year! Here’s some inspiration to kick off 2011 with a mindset of victory, “Declaration” from Kirk Franklin’s album The Fight of My Life.

“I speak against everything that comes to destroy the purpose in your life. Worrying about your finances, your future, when you can’t even sleep at night. I speak against depression and fear, every attack from the enemy. This is your day, the Lord made it! God has set you free!” – Kirk Franklin

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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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!”

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.