iRecommend: The Peace of Wild Things by Paper Route [+Free Album Download]

if You Like: Switchfoot, Depeche mode, Blink 182, Beach House, Nickelback, Sheerwood

Rock has never been dance music. It wasn't made with disco lights in mind but when a band promises to take you through the (e)motions and still deliver upbeat dance-able tunes, you gotta love them.

In just a space of two days, 'Better Life' by Paper Route has landed on my '10 Most Played' Playlist. It's that good. It's got echoes, it's got soul. it's got the perfect instrumentation you want for that house party, it's got the perfect life soundtrack on days you just want your car windows down and the wind blowing right at your face.

Also the art work of this album just tells a story. For a short time, 'The Peace of Wild Things' (Full Version) is free and you can download it here

Another free music for the weekend. Thank me later (I meant in the comments. Lol!). Thank God it's Friday.

Till next time on iRecommend, Have fun :)

The Best List! [2012]: Music [Singles]

Were there songs that just couldn't stop listening to at some point during this year? I had a couple of those. Below is a list of my best hit singles of the year in no particular order.

Ho Hey by The Lumineers

The Lumineers are not an ‘out there’ Christian band. I’m not even sure if they are Christians but I came across this song via the RELEVANT podcast and I must say it’s worth the 4MB space on any iPod.

Music by Beckah Shae

This is a really good song. Never heard anything like it before.

Fearless by Group 1 Crew

“As I stand in the eye of the storm, it’s your love that keeps guiding me on. I’m fearless. I’m fearless” :) 

Your Song by Poema

Your song by Poema is that song you come across on an album you weren’t big on at a time. This was my best drive song this year. 

  

Another One by Chris Cobbins

Great song. Very catchy too. Get the album it’s on for free here.

Caught Up in Love by J Moss

Something funny happened with this song. I had the album didn’t like the song. Then a friend told me about it. Went back to it and then liked it. I meant loved it.

Hello Feat. Suzy Rock by KB

I love this song.

Crave by For King and Country

This is the non-worship song I found myself lifting my hands to at every point during this year. My year Anthem. Lol.

Sparrow by Audrey Assad

Audrey Assad’s Sparrow couldn’t have missed this list. You need to blow up your apartment with this song over your very good speakers to know what I mean. Apologize to your neighbors latter (if you have one).

1961 by The Fray

I’m surprised this song made my list. I will have been surprised also if it didn’t.

Lame by Rachel Chan

What wouldn’t you love about Rachel Chan’s Lame? Epic.

*Below are also some great song that weren’t produced this year but should have made my list

Gbogbo Titi - Frank Edwards 

Beautiful things by Gungor

Beautiful Exchange by David’s Plea

You are on Our Side by Elevation Worship

Your Favor by Elevation Worship

The Best List! [2012]: Books

So I decided to share the my top 10 best things of the year 2012. And the first best list comprises of the best 10 books I read this year. I hope this is indeed helpful. In no particular order, below are the titles and authors plus a quote from the books. Enjoy!

Cold Tangerines by Shauna Niequist

I first thought it dumb reading the memoir of a thirty year old lady. 'What has she been through?' I thought 'In thirty years?' But a few pages into this book, I wanted to place it into the hands of every twenty something I had as a friend. It was a beautiful read. 

“Celebration when your plan is working? Anyone can do that. But when you realize that the story of your life could be told a thousand different ways, that you could tell it over and over as a tragedy, but you choose to call it an epic, that's when you start to learn what celebration is. When what you see in front of you is so far outside of what you dreamed, but you have the belief, the boldness, the courage to call it beautiful instead of calling it wrong, that's celebration.”

Tribes by Seth Godin

Please if you haven’t read Tribes, walk up to a book store, neglect the fact that such a small book could have a big price and buy Tribes. It’s one of the best materials I have come across on leadership.

"Some tribes are stuck. They embrace the status quo and drown out any tribe member who dares to question authority and the accepted order"

Now What Do I do? by Dr. John Townsend

This is a good book. Very practical and helpful stuff. I highly recommend it if you are feeling stuck or if you are twenty something.

"We sometimes create a problem where none exists. So make sure you have an actual problem"

Love Does by Bob Goff

 Reading this was a roller coaster ride for me  and I got the chance to speak with the author on phone after I closed the last page. What more can I ask?

" I used to think God guided us by opening and closing doors, but now I know sometimes God wants us to kick some doors down"

Change Agents by Steve Chalke

Great small book on leadership. Had to give a copy away on my blog after I finished. So good.

"Speak when you are angry and you will make the best speech you will ever regret"

Empty Promises by Pete Wilson

Please read Pete Wilson’s book Empty Promises: The Truth about You, Your Desires, and the Lies You’re Believing. I read this at the first quarter of the year, it helped me mapped out a couple of routines and disciplines that made the year successful.

"Often what we think is the good life is not really the good life at all. It's nothing but smoke and mirrors. It's an illusion, an elaborate trap. It's a collection of empty promises. But that doesn't mean the good life doesn't exist"

The Holy Wild by Mark Buchannan

A lot of people aren’t big on Theology. I don’t know why. Cause Theology literally means knowledge of God and what you know about God automatically forms how you relate to him. This is not a ‘Theological’ book. Mark Buchannan, a Canadian pastor writes poetically about the various character of God. This really changed my perspective and broke down old shacks I had built about who God is. Great book to pick up if you think you don’t know God. Also a great one to pick if you think you know Him. Never mind I was in the latter category before I picked up this book and found out a couple of pages into it I was actually in the former. It’s an awesome one I kept checking things up in through the year even after I finished it.

"Sabbath is a gift of the restful God to His restless people"

Sex God by Rob Bell

When a controversial author writes about a controversial topic, you sure know it’s not one to miss. Above controversy, I must say this is a beautifully written book. 

"The other day my five-year-old son asked my wife, "Mom, what does sexy mean?" She thought about it for a second, and then replied, "Sexy is when it feels good to be in your own skin. Your body feels right, it feels comfortable. Sexy is when you love being you"

The Secret Things of God by Dr. Henry Cloud

Dr. Henry Cloud is a world acclaimed professional psychologist and business writer. He is also a Christian. He is such a blessing to the Christian body and to this generation.

"While God alone is all powerful, we do have a certain amount of power in our lives- the ability to exert control over the things that affect us. One of the marks of mental health is the degree to which people realize that they have control over their own lives and exercise that power to choose"

Wild Grace by Max Lucado

The normal awesomeness of Max Lucado plus some instructive relevant uniqueness makes this one an excellent read.

"Mercy gave the prodigal son a second chance. Grace threw him a party"

I hope you enjoyed going through this list and got some ideas of books you might want to check out this coming year.

What good books did you read this year? What books do you think I should place on my list in the coming year? Please tell in the comment section. I would love to hear from you.

iRecommend: Initium by Je'kob [+Free Download]

if You Like: Whiz Khalifa, CeeLo Green, Jay-Z, Soul Jahz, Sho Baraka, Kanye West

 Je'kob is one phenomenal rapper you don't want to miss. He was once 1/2 of the hip-hop duo named Washington Projects and currently he's got this new series of EP out titled Faith, Hope and Love (Love just dropped on iTunes sometimes last week).

He is uniquely gifted and talented in this genre. Wanna have a taste of what he serves hot on his new set of EPs? Download this single Initium. And it's free!

To download click here

Find Je'kob on Twitter: @iamjekob and on Facebook

Ponder:

In nature we see where God has been. In our fellow man, we see where He is still at work - Robert Brault

iRecommend: Through Painted Deserts by Donald Miller [+Free AudioBook Download]

if You Like: Steven Pressfield, Madeleine L'Engle, Ann Voskamp, Ian Morgan Cron, Anne Lammot, John Ortberg, Shauna Niequist, 

 Donald Miller is the author of the phenomenal New-York times bestseller 'Blue Like Jazz' (which was recently made into a movie) and Leader at The Storyline, an organization set up to help people figure out their roles and plots in the big story God is telling.

If you haven't come in contact with anything Donald Miller, I can assure you, you are just about to collide with some pure awesomeness. I have been following him on twitter for a while now and I must say, he offers consistently this deep well of wisdom that makes me go 'AHHHH!'.

So the deal is Donald Miller is giving away the audio version of one of  his bestselling books titled 'Through Painted Deserts' (Yes, the whole book!) Plus a free chapter from his latest Storyline.

Download. Enjoy. Thank me Later. :)

To download click here

Find Donald Miller on Twitter: @DonaldMiller and on Facebook

His blog is also one roller-coaster of awesomeness you don't want to miss: www.storylineblog.com

Ponder:

Be yourself and speak your heart and trust in grace. God is more forgiving than the jury of your peers. - Donald Miller

iRecommend: For Our God and King by Chris Sligh [+Free Album Download]

if You Like: Creed, Nickelback, Phil Stacey, Third Day , Alterbridge

Chris Sligh was finalist on the sixth season of American Idol which also featured powerhouses such as Melinda DoLittle, Blake Lewis, Phil Stacey, Lakisha Jones and Jordin Sparks (who was the winner of the season). He's had a couple of albums (pre and post A. Idol) since then and his latest, (I can't wrap my mind around this) he is giving for free. He is professional and he's also a worshiper.
If you  love guitar riffs and soulful rock tunes, I do recommend Chris Sligh.

Click here to download

Find Chris Sligh on Twitter: @ChrisSligh and on Facebook here

Ponder:

"I want people to fall in love with the Author of Scripture. And while we can’t make anyone fall in love, we can certainly arrange a date.” -  Andy Stanley 

iRecommend: The Voice Bible [+Free Book Download]

if You Like: The Works of Shakespeare, The New International Version, The Message, The New Century Version

Some months back I bought a new bible translation and honestly I was really excited about this one. (You can read my first user experience here). The Voice Translation is a dynamic equivalent translation by The Ecclesia Bible Society. It's relevant, poetic and just any artist's dream bible. The bible is rendered in a drama/Shakespeare dialogue format without losing it's original word for word meaning ( How better can it get!). It's also got so much context and notes added for personal study.

Using the voice for a few months now and discovering that the whole new testament can be gotten for free, I couldn't resist sharing that information with my readers. So join me in this 3d bible experience.

Click here to get your copy! You can say thanks later. LOL! :)

Ponder:

Blowing out of proportion a portion of God's word (while neglecting the other parts) is like cutting off in mid-sentence a friend trying to explain to you directions to a place you've never been. You get lOsT! We have (as a generation) a responsibility to listen to what God is trying to say through the WHOLE bible.

iRecommend: Better by Chris Cobbins [+Free Album Download]

if You Like: Chris Brown, Evin Amiri,  LMFAO, Jor'Dan Armstrong, Ne-Yo, Usher,

Who remembers Chris Cobbins from Shai Linne's 'Attributes of God' project? That song 'Faithful God' was soooooooo good!

If you have or haven't had a taste of Chris' music before here's a free album from him and it's way worth the get. I've got it for a while now and I haven't stopped jamming it. I do sincerely recommend this.

Click here to download

Connect with the artist: Twitter @ChrisCobbins ; Facebook

Ponder:

The more time we spend with God, the more powerful we become.

iRecommend: A Season of Hope by Don Moen [+Free Download]

if You Like:  Hillsong, Alvin Slaughter, Michael Bubble, Josh Groban, Ron Kenoly, Amy Grant

Our all-time beloved worship leader and song writer is here again this Christmas with a new offering titled 'A Season of Hope'. I remember the last set of free songs he gave away where for a limited time, this might also be for a limited time. So waste no time and GO!

Click here to download

Ponder: 

The best ideas must move you before they can move someone else - Blaine Hogan

iRecommend: #LifeTrends by AFGM [+Free Album Download]

if You Like: Ginuwine, J Moss, 21:03, Iyaz, Boyz 2 Men, Tyga, John Legend

You gotta love this guys and the music they bring to the table. Without much ado, I present to you 'A Few Good Men'  EP titled #LifeTrends.

And make sure you watch out for my best track on the album titled titled 'Like You'. Enjoy!

Click here to get it

Connect with the artist: Twitter @AFGMMUSIC ; Facebook

Ponder:

You will never reach your destination if you stop and throw stones at every dog that barks - Winston Churchill

iRecommend: Thr3e by Th3eory Hazit [+Free Album Download]

if You Like: Jay Z, Ambassador, Sho Baraka, Fabulous, Tinie Tempah and Iyaz

I bumped to this record earlier this year at a party, so good and it never crossed my mind I would be recommending it at the later part of the year. Th3ory Hazit is part of the Humble Beast record crew and you've got to love his flows.

Today I present to you Thr3e by Th3ory Hazit.

Click here to download

Ponder:

“Anyone can count the seeds in a melon. It takes vision to count the melons in a seed.”  - Michael Hyatt

iRecommend: Excellent by Propaganda [+Free Album Download]

if You Like: Wiz Khalifa, Erykah Badu, Cee Lo Green, Wyclef Jean, Tyga, and BoB

This is creativity meets rap music. You got to love what Propaganda brings to the table on 'Excellent' if you have ever fantasized the sweet junction between spoken word and hard core rap. He doesn't just serve it hot with clear lyrics that would make you wonder what story this guy's got but plus creative and sometimes ambient eclectic beats and choruses.

You don't want to miss the cello feature by  Kevin "K.O." Olusola on the seventh track plus the whole feel of track eight which is titled 'Forgive Me For Asking'

Get ready to open your windows and turn up the volume. Already gathering raving reviews and ratings all over the web, I hereby present to you 'Excellent' from the Humble Beast records Propaganda.

Click here to download

Yes it's free and good stuff :)

Ponder:

 

"Science still can't explain 'yearning'" - Propaganda

iRecommend: Purity of Heart is to Will One Thing by The Welcome Wagon [+Free Album Download]

if You Like:  The White Stripes, Sufjan Stevens, The Cranberries, The Civil Wars and Regina Spektor

Okay this is weird! Cause this is like the weirdest music I have ever tried on iRecommend. Honestly, Last week, I posted a status on Facebook that went something like this about this band

"Been listening to 'Precious Remedies Against Satan's Devices' by The Welcome Wagon. Honestly I must say, I have never heard anything like this before and I don't mean it's super by that. I just mean it feels like learning a new language listening to this album. Go for it only if you have an eclectic taste for music, want to try something you've never tried before or simply bored of 'normal' . . . or who knows ; if you want to learn a new language. LoL! "

Now that was about their latest release 'Precious Remedies Against Satan's Devices', so you wouldn't know how excited I was when I discovered that they gave ever an EP of un-released  songs for a Fair-Trade charity cause set to help 'liberate and empower' women escaping the sex trade in Calcutta, India. I was excited cause I wouldn't be alone in this 'learning of a new language'.

A little about the band before we go on. The musical duo is a married couple — the Reverend Thomas Vito Aiuto and his wife Monique—grew up in the same Midwestern town. She’s an artist by trade, having once worked as a craft-maker for Martha Stewart. He’s a Presbyterian minister and currently the senior pastor at Resurrection Presbyterian, a church he planted in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York.

That's has cool as it gets, now ready for the out of the world music? Click here

Connect: Okay I haven't found them on twitter so in case you do let me know.

And did I mention I've been stuck on 'The Strife is O'er' From their new album? :o

 

Ponder:

"The dream isn't what you see when you sleep at night, the dream is what doesn't make you sleep at night"

iRecommend: A Prelude to Freedom Music by Evin Amiri [+Free Album Download]

if You Like: Jason Derullo, Chris Brown, 21:03, Ne-Yo, Frank Ocean, J. Moss, Trey Songz

Honestly I have waited for this moment for weeks! I was so excited a few weeks back when Evin Amiri ( member of the Grammy nominated group 21:03) announced on twitter he will be giving away a prelude to his upcoming album 'Freedom Music'. I was opportune to have heard a track titled 'Yeah 3x' before ( a track I'm sure you would love from the album) the announcement. So today without much ado, I hereby present Evin Amiri free Prelude to you which has 8 tracks!
Things to look forward to: Unexpected surprise feature from the eclectic rare band named 'Gungor' and also lead singer of the veteran four times Grammy award winning band 'Third Day' Mac Powell.

Click here to download
You can also follow Evin on twitter @EvinAmiri

Ponder:  

  "When I became honest about my trouble, my reputation went out the window, but i became the freest man in the world" - William P. Young

iRecommend: The Feature by Sho Baraka [+Free Album Download]

if You Like: Busta Rhymes, Lecrae, Group 1 Crew, Blacked Eyed Peas, Xzibit, Red Man, Ludacris.

Sho Baraka is one of the few openly christian rappers who has broken music records even on the secular music scene. His 2010 hit album (Lions & Liars) included giddy tunes like 'We Can Be More' which featured (eclectic artist JR) Erica Cumbo on 'Famous' . Click here to download this album/ mixtape which he is giving away for free. Enjoy!

You can connect with Sho on Facebook and Twitter @AmIshoBaraka

Ponder: 

"If You want JOY in your life, get your priorities in the right order

Jesus

Others

Yourself "

For The Author of a Book

It may take a while before your baby is born
But if it's a tear, let it stain the page
Let it write a language only this who have passed this route might understand
Cause there will be days you won't have anything to tell your book
There will be days the writing room becomes a comfort room, a fortress
There will be days the writing room becomes a waiting room, your mine for the precious stone called patience
If it be silence, let it leave it's colorless ink on your page when no words form
it might take a while but keep showing up
Maybe this is what we don't know that we give up too soon when our writing room begins to morph
That writing goes on
That the writing never stops
Cause even on days we don't write on the page the soul is being written upon.

Question: 

I once heard a popular author give this writing advice 'Writing is easy. All you just have to do is to stare at the white page till you bleed'. Do you agree with this?

P.S.- Coincidentally today, author Jeff Goins is given away his book 'You are a Writer' for FREE!. If you are interested in getting this book click here (It's just for a limited number of days though) and also check out Jeff's blog here.  
 

iRecommend : Singalong 2 by Phil Wickham [+ Free Album Download]

if You Like: Jesus Culture, Mumford and Sons, Hillsong United and Elevation Worship

Today's iRecommend features CCM  artist Phil Wickham. He just released Singalong 2. To download the full album for free click here. Enjoy!

Ponder:

"Discipline is doing what I can do today, to enable me to do tomorrow what I can't do today."

iRecommend: Hymnbook by Don Moen [+Free Album Download]

If You Like: Michael W. Smith, Ron Kenoly, Paul Baloche, Jeanne Rogers, Promise Keepers and Kari Jobe

I was so excited and could not wait to share with you when I heard popular and phenomenal worship artist Don Moen was releasing a new album and giving it away for free. If You don't know Don Moen, Don Moen is a veteran worship artist and producer who has been making music for over the last two decades. He has also produced (via Integrity Music) lots of great artists and band such as Hillsong, Lincoln Brewster, Darlene Zchesch and Sarah Macintosh. He also penned worship songs that you would not miss hearing entering any church even till this day. You can download the album here. It's called Hymnbook. Enjoy!

You can connect with Don Moen on Twitter @donmoen and don't forget to join the wagon on his new Podcast Don Moen and Friends.

Ponder:

Weighed down by regret? Feeling afraid? WORSHIP! Don't believe the lie that worship is only for the perfect and the brave. - Don Moen

iRecommend: Formerly Known by Andy Mineo [+Free Album Download]

If You Like: Rick Ross, Drake, Tedashii, Big Sean, and Trip Lee

Andy Mineo is no new name on the CCM hip-hop scene. Already featured on various albums ranging from Lecrae's to Trip Lee's, he is a confirmed showstopper and sure knows how to rock any party. His album 'Formerly Known' is downloadable for a limited time here and you sure do not want to miss this. Go get it.

You can catch up with Andy on twitter @AndyMineo

Ponder:

"Porn is the modern day story of cigarettes. As a whole, our culture has absolutely no idea how destructive it is. Years later, we will." - Andy Mineo

iRecommend : Church Clothes by Lecrae [+ Free Album Download]

if You Like: KJ 52, Tedashii, J Cole, Jadakiss, Trip Lee, Busta Rhymes, Timberland and Rick Ross

It's no news that rapper Lecrae been cooking things up in the studio for months. It's done and on this one he decides to give it off free. I have listened to Church Clothes, filled with lots of catchy beats, punchlines and whole truths. Though fans of bouncy pop choruses in rap songs might be a little disappointed on this one but it is a SOLID hip-hop record. Want some new jammings that would make your head go up and down in sync with the car bonnet and your heart? Download 'Church Clothes'  by clicking here

Ponder:

Giving up hope on life is like drowning yourself to keep from getting wet. Life is a war, dont stop fighting. - Lecrae

p.S- You can also follow Lecrae on twitter @lecrae