1. Chris Tomlin has joined the Board of Directors of CURE International. The worship artist says he loves the organization's physical care of its beneficiaries, but more than that loves their spiritual care of the people they come in contact with.
2. Be praying for The City Harmonic's Eric Fusilier. The cancer survivor had a bit of a health scare while on tour that led to a hospital visit and a show cancellation, as his band brothers wouldn't leave his side. Fortunately, it wasn't serious, but keep the bassist in your prayers.
3. It's true, Future of Forestry loves the Advent season, and it looks like they're posting special seasonal videos every Monday until Christmas. The first video up? Their version of "Do You Hear What I Hear?"
4. Lakewood Church worship leader and Dream Label Group artist Cindy Cruse Ratcliff is praising God for an incredible time at the Harvest Youth Conference in The Phillippines. While in Manila, they saw 1,955 people make salvation decisions for Jesus. Woo hoo!
5. Abandon Kansas is newly independent, and they're turning to fans to help fund their long overdue third full-length album. On their campaign page on IndieGogo, they said they're in the studio right now, and that the record is turning out to be "the most melancholy and dark rock-project" they've done yet.
6. Stryper frontman Michael Sweet has had a really busy and successful 2014, and that almost translated into producing a record for rocker Sebastian Bach. It didn't work out logistically, but Michael said "one thing's certain: it would have been stellar." Clearly his work is still getting noticed in the greater rock world.
7. Pop artist Shuree has a new book called "One Girl Can Change the World," and she's putting her money where her mouth is, letting a seventh grade girl serve as its illustrator. Shuree said her illustrator, Leah Allman, is using art to change the world. The story is about a little girl who wants to make a difference, and the mysterious visitor who helps her discover how she can share hope and love with others.
8. 1 Girl Nation might not be able to come caroling to your neighborhood, but they're doing the next best thing using YouTube. At the end of a 42-second video, the girl pop group gives viewers a menu of options for what Christmas song they'd like to hear them sing. They're calling it a "choose-your-own caroling adventure."
9. Merch seems to be getting more and more creative. Citizens & Saints just came out with their "Join the Triumph" album, which is NOT a Christmas album, but they have a new sweatshirt that is perfect for the holidays. An "ugly holiday sweater" style sweatshirt features the band's new flag logo, as well as assorted trees, snowpersons and snowflakes.
Quotes (3)
1. "The richness of the Word of God ought to determine our prayer, not the poverty of our heart." -Dietrich Bonhoeffer (via Citizens & Saints)
2. "The best you is always going to be YOU! Honest, regular self assessment is always best! We're all inherently broken in the process of being renewed!" - Duncan Phillips of Newsboys
3. "Family is one of God's greatest gifts. And God promises it to lonely people." - Brian Houston
