#MusicMonday: Colton Dixon's EP will show you the way to true Calm and godly peace

Welcome to my next #MusicMonday post. Today, I am going to review Colton Dixon's newest EP Calm. In the rare case you are unfamiliar with Colton Dixon, he was a contestant on the 11th season of the hit reality singing television competition, American Idol. He's from  Murfreesboro, Tennessee. He ended up being cast off the show and placing seventh that season. It appeared all hope was lost because the show wasn't a fan of the fact that he wanted to become a Christian singer instead of just a secular pop rocker. Ryan Seacrest during one episode actually interrupted Colton when he was sharing some of his faith story. When he was voted off, I bawled my eyes out (He was both equal parts handsome and talented, and he loved Jesus. Excuse me for fangirling). Yet, a few years after leaving American Idol because he was so musically talented and could write his own songs, plus he stuck with Jesus despite the pressures of popular society and opinion, he was signed to Sparrow Records. I was so excited for him. Recently, during the weekend of Night of Joy 2015, on September 11, 2015, he got engaged to his longtime girlfriend, Annie Coggeshall. Simultaneously, The Calm Before The Storm was released on the same day, dual EPs where Calm contains acoustics of songs from his previous albums Anchor and Messenger, and Storm contains remixes of tracks from both albums. 

Song By Song Review

"Limitless": A song about how nothing is impossible with God, I personally wake up with this song in my head lately. The song was co-written by Christian music legend, Matthew West. My favorite verse from the song: 

Doubt sees a mountain, no way around it

Faith sees a victory, no doubt about it

Fear sees a ceiling, hope sees the stars

Love be the light inside of our hearts 

"Never Gone": My favorite part of the acoustic version of this song is the bells that are played alongside the piano track. One of my favorite Colton Dixon songs about how God never leaves us or forsakes us, Colton's vocals slay on the acoustic version of the track.

"You Are": This track off the Messenger album originally helped me through one of the toughest seasons of my life. The acoustic version features vocals from Colton's younger sister, who also originally auditioned for the eleventh season of American Idol, Schyler Dixon. It's a beautiful song just praising God for who He is.

"Through All of It": This song recently helped me through my grief over Geniveve's passing. It's a song about how God helps us through the trials in our lives:

And this is who You are

More constant than the stars up in the sky

All these years of our lives

I, I look back and I see You

Right now I still do

And I'm always going to

"Where I End": An original track written by Colton for this EP, it's a beautiful song about how God takes our weaknesses and makes them strengths. Based on 2 Cor. 12:9.

Obviously, I recommend the album to anyone young or old who needs to find some calm in the midst of whatever storm they may be facing.

Until next time, remember: At first, I didn't think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he told me, "My grace is enough; it's all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness." -2 Cor. 12:9, MSG.♥

Love Times Infinity,

Chelsea

xoxo

God Bless!

~Just Keep Swimming~

#WriterWednesday: Jesus Muzik Worth Blasting! Live Forever and Blanca Album Reviews

I know you are probably are tired of reading reviews on here but I've decided it's time I expand my writing talent to include reviews of good music, books, and movies/ tv shows. I also have been facing a bit of writer's block regarding what to blog about. Yet, I don't want to lose you as my fabulous, beautiful readers who come here for inspiration.

Two new released Christian albums I've fallen in love with lately are Live Forever by Matthew West and Blanca's self-titled debut solo album.

#LiveForeverReview

On April 28, 2015,  Matthew West released Live Forever, his sixth studio album. I'm a huge Matthew West fan and this album doesn't disappoint. My favorites from the album are Day One (about how God's mercy is new every morning so each new day is the first day of your life),  The List (reminds us that love keeps no record of wrong), World Changers (about Jesus followers who shine in this dark, dark world because they have the joy of the Lord), Grace Wins ( I'm living proof that grace wins every time!), Tryin' (how God made us all unique so we shouldn't try to be something that God didn't make us to be), Mended (about how God can take things not seen and make a way where one doesn't appear), Anything is Possible (God is the God of the Impossible), Born For This (Knowing your God-given destiny gives you a zest for life), Oh, Me of Little Faith (for the doubtful moments).

#BlancaReview

On May 4, 2015, Blanca (former member of Group 1 Crew) released her first solo debut with a self-titled album. From the first song until the last, the songs are filled with dance-inducing beats and lyrics filled with inspiration for worship and a life lived in Christ. My favorites from the album are Different Drum (a song I wish existed when I was a kid), Who I Am (about knowing who God says you are and choosing to believe that instead of what people say about), Get Up ft. Lecrae (about not giving up when the going gets tough), Sunshine (about God's love being like sunshine on a cloudy day), Not Backing Down (this would be a perfect workout song), Worry (a Bob Marley style track about trusting God and not worrying), Greater is He (her vocals on this track are unreal; based on 1 John 4:4), Today ( a great song about not wasting time and just trusting that God gives us sufficient grace for each day).

Each album is filled to the brim with musical content that will renew your mind, calm your heart, and steady your feet.

Until next time, remember:
 Turnin' down, tunin' out
Every single word that caused me pain
Unashamed and unafraid
'Cause I believe You mean it when You say
I am strong, beautiful
I am good enough
And I belong after all, 'cause of what You've done
This is real what I feel
No one made it up
I am loved -Blanca, Who I Am

Love Times Infinity,

Chelsea

xoxo

God Bless!

~Just Keep Swimming~

Writer Wednesday: Ciara hits all the high notes with comeback album, Jackie.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiK5LKQGqbE

       Released on May 1, 2015 off Epic Records, Ciara made her music comeback after the birth of her daughter with her sixth studio album, Jackie. The album is titled off her mom, with Ciara saying that the reasoning behind that decision was because she can now see the world through her eyes and she knows what it’s like to be a mom.

          The title track song Jackie (BMF) is a hard-hitting hip-hop track that lays down the foundation for the rest of the album. Other favorites off the album include Fly, I Bet and the I Bet remix, One Woman Army, and I Got You. Motherhood has had no negative effect on Ciara’s musical talent but has only turned her into a “One Woman Army” of musical genius.

For more of my music reviews and PR blogs, please visit DailySelectBlog.com

Until next time, remember: “In a word, what I’m saying is, Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.”-Matthew 5:48, The Message.

Love Times Infinity,

Chelsea

xoxo

God Bless!

~Just Keep Swimming~