Soul-Audio is thrilled to introduce Jenn Weber Sinclair as the latest addition to their "Artists in Residence" family. Marked by insightful lyricism, lovely vocals, and a heart that follows passionately after God, Weber's work has impressed the folks at Soul-Audio and they're excited to see what insights this exciting young artist will bring to bear in their forum.


She'll be making posts monthly at http://www.soul-audio.com/.

To read her first blog entry, visit http://www.soul-audio.com/artists-in-residence/09-09-2008/by-the-fireside/.

*****

By the Fireside
By Jenn Weber Sinclair • Sep 9th, 2008 • Category: Artists in Residence

Well, this is my first official Soul-Audio blog! I'm a new addition to the "artist in residence society" (In the works: handshake and fight-song) and couldn't be more humbled or excited. I find that I am more inclined to take someone at their word once I know a little about them, so I think perhaps its best I tell you a little about myself first (or at least a part that gives you insight into this scribbling).

I'm a Cincinnati native who was blessed to grow up in a family who loved the Lord, and I have loved Him myself all my life. God was always real to me and I found him everywhere as a child, in some places as a teenager, and in most places as an adult. I wish I could say my record was better than that, but I am building trust here…so honesty is paramount. I felt the Lord calling me out of the ordinary college life into ministry at 18 and moved to Nashville, TN where I signed with Creative Trust Workshop, a CCM label.

Long story short, the label disintegrated and I found myself grappling for truth, for insight and for purpose. I had sought my identity in a record deal and was left with a handful of crumbled success to redefine my worth. After a few chats (I did most of the talking) with my Creator by my bedside, He mercifully revealed His love to me once again as I sought his face. I never really got the answers to "why?" that I had been searching for, but in the end they ceased to matter, for I knew Christ more.

This is what has mattered to me: knowing Christ more. Every song I have written, book I have read, prayer I have prayed has been to know Him with every fiber of my being. This is the great adventure, the magnificent quest and the theme of my story. My prayer is that you can take my hand as we pilgrim through this journey of "knowing Him" together. You will not find an entry here simply to fill a quota, though it would not be hard to as I am continually learning more. I write always because it's important to share and speak and sing of the Lord's goodness and faithfulness! As my favorite Christian philosopher, A.W. Tozer pens, "If my fire is not yet large, it is yet real…and there may be those who can light their candle at its flame."

I pray you can rekindle by this fireside,
Jenn
Jenn Weber Sinclair

Jenn's Soul-Audio Feature was posted today, June 30 2008!

For the Full Article, Visit
http://www.soul-audio.com/features/06-30-2008/jenn-weber/

"Most days, I feel incredibly inadequate for this ministry, but I know God uses ordinary people all the time to do extraordinary things for His Kingdom. There is such great need for hope and restoration; Christ alive in me compels me to build a living fire in the hearts of others."
- Jenn Weber


For More Information, Audio clips and Bio visit
http://www.jennweber.com
http://www.myspace.com/jennweber
http://www.fh.org/artists/jennweber

*****

SOUL AUDIO FEATURE INTERVIEW - JENN WEBER

One of Christian music's brightest young talents comes to us in the form of Jenn Weber. Her musical style is reminiscent of Nichole Nordeman while her vocals deliver a Bethany Dillon double-take. But it's the heart behind it all that really begins to set her apart, and that's what comes through in Jenn's answers to some of our recent questions.

Her new album, World of Wonder, is ready made for radio - a smart, pop affair with the ideal blend of ups and downs, insight and reflection. The lessons she's learned early in her artistic career are worth listening to, so we hope you'll take some time to find out more about Weber in this Soul-Audio exclusive.


Soul-Audio: There seem a couple obvious points of reference after just a few listens to the new album, Bethany Dillon and Nichole Nordeman. Would you agree with that at all?

Jenn Weber: When most people try to explain my musical style to their friends, they usually find themselves using one or both of those women as a comparison, so I would agree! Still, we are three unique artists with different stories and varied passions that set our ministries and sounds apart; we do, however, share a similar goal: To follow hard after the Lord and set others on fire for Him! Personally, I can't think of two other women in the Christian music industry I would rather be compared to so I'm certainly honored.

SA: Are you a fan of their music?

Jenn: Definitely! Nichole's music has had more of a profound impact on my walk with the Lord than any other artist I've listened to. She breathes fresh insight and intelligence into every lyric and I have felt unbelievably challenged by the lessons she sings about on her albums. Both Nichole and Bethany, although I don't know them personally, seem so authentic, which is something I love!

SA: When you first made the move from Cincinnati to Music City U.S.A., what were the expectations at that point? Looking back, were you ready for that move?

Jenn: I don't know if I ever felt "ready" ; I just knew I felt called! I realize the word "called" seems to be thrown around a lot these days, and using it almost seems trite… but to use any other word, for me, would be to limit the living power of the Holy Spirit. Moving to Nashville opened up a world of possibility for me, and I loved the challenge of being out of my comfort zone. From the beginning I felt that something wonderful was going to happen, and I was right.

Seven months after the move I was signed with Creative Trust Workshop (Warren Barfield). I thought I was really something to be "signed with a label," and I felt as though I had made it to the pinnacle of what success should look like for a musician. I didn't understand this at the time, but looking back, I see that I had a skewed perception of what "success" really looked like. It took the label going under - along with my dreams at that point - for God to really refine my heart and gently teach me that success isn't a 1 AC radio hit, but rather how closely I resemble Jesus Christ. I can see now that Christ was more concerned with my character than my comfort. Is anyone really ever ready for that?

SA: Can you tell us about your working relationship with Gary Sadler? How did that start?

Jenn: Gary is an unbelievable friend and mentor and the whole Sadler family has really adopted me these past five years and taken me in as one of their own. Gary was one of the first writing sessions that was set up for me by John Mays, a wonderful A&R in Nashville who took me under his wing my first few years there. From the minute I walked through Gary's front door, I could tell there was something different about him; this was a man unconcerned with accolades and success, his sole focus was on one thing: Christ.

I'm so thankful the Lord gave me such a refreshing atmosphere in which to create and worship and Gary's spirit is all over the record and he has truly impacted me eternally. I'm humbled to get to work with him and blessed to be his friend!

SA: Do you have a mission of sorts as a songwriter and performing artist?

Jenn: I've always felt that A.W. Tozer best sums up my mission statement, "Though my fire is not yet large, it is yet real, and there may be those who can light their candle at its flame." Most days, I feel incredibly inadequate for this ministry, but I know God uses ordinary people all the time to do extraordinary things for His Kingdom. There is such great need for hope and restoration; Christ alive in me compels me to build a living fire in the hearts of others

SA: It's great to see that you seem to be well read. Do you have favorite authors or works to recommend?

Jenn: Well, I mentioned A.W. Tozer earlier, and no list of books that are special to me would be complete without Tozer's "The Pursuit of God," which has affected me profoundly. Another book I recently finished, "A Severe Mercy" by Sheldon Van Auken, is a wonderful autobiography that depicts the love story shared between him and his wife and describes how they came to know Christ in Oxford through the help of their friend, C.S Lewis. Yet another amazing book is "The Call" by Os Guinness, which would be a great addition to any bookshelf in my humble opinion!

SA: How does that inform your own songwriting?

Jenn: Many of the books I read give me insight into different facets of who Christ is and cause me to draw nearer to Him as these truths are revealed and the outpouring of that is typically a song! For instance, one quote in "The Pursuit of God" exclaims, "What a wide word to roam in, what a vast sea to swim in is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; He is Eternal!" From that the song, "Eternal" was born; a lyric wrestling with the concept, "How could a simple poet write about what has already written him?"

SA: Can you tell us about writing World of Wonder ; did you come to the studio with everything already written?

Jenn: Almost! I've been writing the songs for this project over the last four years except for "Lullaby," which was written when I was 13. It's exciting to finally have these songs recorded, and it seems, to me, this project is more a documentary of Christ's faithfulness over these past four years than a compilation of musical tracks. The single "Bride" almost didn't make it on the record, though!

The CD was ready for mix when I felt compelled to write it one Sunday afternoon after I had been sharing with a friend about dealing with anxiety and how sometimes it just seemed so obvious that "this" is not our home. When I got back to my apartment, the Lord just poured out the words to this song on my heart and I finished it in only an hour or so. The very next day, I opened my Bible to Revelation and read, almost word for word, phrases from the chorus of "Bride" that I had written the day before!

It was such an affirmation and I played it for Jeff Pardo (who produced half of the album) soon after, and he was like, "I'll call the band back up today and get them in here. This needs to be on the record!" Recording is such an imaginative and liberating experience and working with wonderful people like Gary, Jeff, and the rest of the band, just makes it that much more meaningful!

SA: Finally, what's on your current playlist?

Jenn: Andy Gullahorn, Brooke Fraser, Jason Morant, The Weepies, Colbie Caillat, Sarah Sadler, Jaime Jamgochian, Billie Holiday.

Chek out the newest rave review of Jenn Weber's debut album "World of Wonder" by CM Central Magazine!

Weber fills Nordeman's shoes

Just a few musical strokes and vocal intonations into World of Wonder and one immediately relieving fact is unveiled: we have our next Nichole Nordeman. The Christian music world isn't the same without the brilliantly spoken piano songstress, who is currently away on an indefinite break. Now, it seems that Jenn Weber might be ready to take the reins.

The 22-year-old Cincinnati native moved to Nashville four years ago to pursue her musical career and developed a musical partnership with producer Gary Sadler (Jamie Jamgochian). Now, her full-length debut reveals the promise that leads one to take the courageous step to move away from home.

Wonder is filled with Nordeman-esque brushstrokes of reflection and observation on the nature of God ("Eternal"), the empowerment of the Spirit ("Extraordinary") and determination ("Try"). Listeners will also note vocal turns reminiscent of Bethany Dillon, especially on the title track. Plus, it doesn't hurt to have a killer opening track for radio ("Bride") which seems ready to soar to the top of AC charts nationwide.

Of course, we would welcome Nordeman back with open arms, if and when she is ever ready. For now, Weber is a welcome addition to shelves both literal and digital. –Matt Conner


Visit this link for full article: http://www.cmcentral.com/reviews/7898.html

I'm reading this incredible, fascinating book by a man named Sheldon Vanauken who wrote an autobiography of the great love he and his wife shared in the years before her death, and how they came to know Jesus Christ. Previously Agnostics, they came to befriend a group of Christians in Oxford as well as the straightforward and witty C.S. Lewis. I'm only on page 86, but I can't seem to put this book down (One of the many pros of graduating from college...time for pleasure reading!). This is a journal entry Sheldon penned while searching for the truth about Christianity:

"The best argument for Christianity is Christians: their joy, their certainty, their completeness. But the strongest argument against Christianity is also Christians- when they are somber and joyless, when they are self-righteous and smug in complacent consecration, when they are narrow and repressive, then Christianity dies a thousand deaths. But, though it is just to condemn some Christians for these things, perhaps, after all, it is not just, though very easy, to condemn Christianity itself for them. Indeed, there are impressive indications that the positive quality of joy is in Christianity- and possibly nowhere else. If that were certain, it would be proof of a very high order."
-Sheldon Vanauken

I feel undoubtedly challenged reading this - but excited, too! What a unique privilege we have as believers to let our attitudes and actions be a joyful reflection of Christ's presence in our lives - and in all of Creation!

You can pick up a copy of this book in most books stores, I purchased mine at Borders :) It's called "A Severe Mercy" by Sheldon Vanauken...I could not recommend it more enthusiastically!

By the way...wedding countdown: T-minus 65 days (That's just TWO months!) :)

Blessings, friends -
Jenn

Hi Friends!

Big, fun, exciting news! My song, "Sanctuary" was chosen to be on Indelible Creative Group’s newest release, "Top 20 INDIE 2008." You can find a copy in your local Christian Bookstore! See...I told you - Big, exciting AND fun... I wouldn’t let you down :)

Visit the site: http://top20indie.com/

This is a GREAT CD... I love finding new artists to listen to and I already have a few more favorites from this album - I know you will, too.

Hope it’s a blessing!
Jenn


Here’s the article/press release from http://indelibleonline.com/

01/12/2008
Indelible Partners With IndieHeaven.com
On March 4, 2008 Indelible Creative Group, in association with Indieheaven.com, will release Top 20 Indie 2008. The album will compile 20 of the most talented emerging artists from Indieheaven.com’s stable of independent Christian artists on one CD. Artists and songs for the album were selected from members of Indieheaven.com by a panel of music industry experts from Indelible Creative Group and Indieheaven.com based on song quality, artist exposure and web traffic among other criteria.

"We’ve been looking for the right partner to help our Indieheaven.com members accomplish their mission," comments Keith Mohr, Indieheaven.com president. "Joining with Indelible Creative Group to bring independent artists to the world is a real God thing. We look forward to the future with Chris Thomason and his team at Indelible."

Chris Thomason, Indelible Creative Group president and founder, developed the concept for the project. "In the world of independent music there are very few places you can go to get "real world" information and practical advice to facilitate artistry and ministry," says Thomason. "Indieheaven.com has proven to be that place, and we are excited to partner with them to create a product that brings greater awareness to independent artists.

Artists and songs for Top 20 Indie 2008 are being finalized now and will be announced In January 2008 at www.top20indie.com, which will serve as the online home for the brand. The site will include features on each of the artists, audio samples and links back to their Indieheaven.com profiles.

Later in the year Indelible Creative Group has plans for two more releases in the series including: Top 20 Indie Worship 2008 and Top 20 Indie Rock 2008. Each of those titles will feature the best of independent worship and rock and will be compiled in early 2008. Word Distribution will handle sales for the albums priced at $9.99 to the CBA market with WEA servicing digital outlets including iTunes in the general market.

A little shameless plug for my girl, Jaime Jamgochian whose new CD releases FEBRUARY 26th! Enjoy our insanity :)

Jaime & Jenn: The Lifeway Experience

Jaime Jamgochain - The Lifeway Experience

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Friends & Listeners,

For years I've been blessed to experience God's love and know a personal relationship with Christ. But there came a point, recently, when I asked myself if I truly believe Him; a faith sung about in the old hymn, "Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, just to take him at his word!" It's one thing to acknowledge the existence of the Divine, but what of His sovereignty? The temptation to believe in the way things felt, to dwell in injustice and reside in fear; all of these became overwhelming and I found myself drowning in logicality. Perhaps these questions are what brought me to the precipice of faith; a belief so deeply profound and authentic I could no longer deny its supremacy. It was this faith that finally closed the distance between theology and reality…between an ordinary existence, and a world of wonder…

May you be caught up in the wonder!
Jenn

"In the midst of this great chill, there are some, I rejoice to acknowledge, who will not be content with shallow logic. They will admit the force of the argument, and then turn away with tears to hunt some lonely place and pray, "O God, show me Thy glory!" They want to taste, to touch with their hearts, to see with their inner eyes the wonder that is God." - A.W. Tozer

SINGER/SONGWRITER AND WORSHIP ARTIST JENN WEBER RELEASES HIGHLY ANTICIPATED, DEBUT RECORD WORLD OF WONDER

World of Wonder to be featured at select Family Christian Stores across the country
as first single "Bride" goes for adds on Christian Radio

Nashville, TN (February 6, 2008) - With the completion of her first full-length project and an upcoming nationwide tour, twenty-two year old JENN WEBER kicks off the year with the anticipated release of World of Wonder. The project is the follow-up release to the 2005 EP titled Incomplete, But Understood and features top Nashville producers Gary Sadler and Jeff Pardo. World of Wonder is being featured at select Family Christian Bookstores, America's leading specialty retailer in Christian products and is supporting the release through an end-cap campaign and in-store performances featuring Weber. "Bride," the first single from World of Wonder is currently going for adds on Christian radio.

At the age of eighteen, Jenn moved from her hometown of Cincinnati, OH to the hub of the Christian music scene in Nashville, TN. As she co-wrote and hand crafted her musicianship with seasoned songwriter/producer Gary Sadler (writer of well known worship songs such as "Ancient of Days" and "Lord Most High"), Jenn's talents and artistic inclinations did not go unnoticed. Just seven months after her move to Music City under the guidance of Christian music veteran John Mays (Nichole Nordeman, Point of Grace), Jenn signed to Creative Trust Workshop, a Nashville based record label and released her first Top 10 single on Inspirational Christian Radio titled, "One Pure And Holy Passion" from the record Jesus: A Collection of Modern Worship featuring fellow artists Third Day, Chris Tomlin, Watermark and Shane & Shane.

Building off of the momentum of her Top 10 single, Weber gained national attention and began tirelessly touring the country playing churches, schools and live music venues. In the fall of 2005, Weber released an independent EP titled Incomplete, But Understood and branched out into the Worship Artist genre even further. With the 5-song project featuring well-crafted vertical worship songs from an artists' perspective, Weber quickly gained a fan base that recognized the difference in Weber's brand of worship music. "It amazes me how you can add a melody to a thought and suddenly people pay attention," Weber says. "I'm really excited about what God has been teaching me and what I'm learning about him. I think that you can understand that and hear it in my songs."

Incomplete, But Understood also caught the attention of Christian booking agency The Breen Agency. "The first time I had the opportunity to hear the music of Jenn Weber, I knew instantly that she was a special talent," says David Breen, President and Founder of The Breen Agency (Plumb, Watermark, Point of Grace, Caedmon's Call). "As a songwriter she is musically and lyrically wise beyond her years and as a performer she exudes a natural and genuine connection with the audience."

For the recording of World of Wonder, Weber once-again teamed up with Nashville, TN based producer Gary Sadler (Jaime Jamgochian, Lynn DeShazo, Sarah Sadler) and Jeff Pardo (Sonicflood, Josh Wilson) for a truly unique collection of 14 songs blending Weber's raw musicality and power packed lyrics. "Jenn's got so much heart and talent," says Sadler. "I don't see anything on the horizon that can stop her."

With Weber having written or co-written all of the songs on the record, the title track sets the tone of the album with an upbeat and honest quest to see God's wonders through new, childlike eyes. "It seemed so fitting that the opening line of "World of Wonder" be, 'Hey I wanna' meet you all over again;' each day being another opportunity to uncover who He is and grow in wonder of what he is doing in and around me," Weber says of the song. The hauntingly beautiful piano ballad "Sanctuary," is a congregational worship song about finding refuge in the Lord and the pop-infused "Try" emphasizes Weber's determination in all aspects of her life and is her personal "anthem of encouragement."

"Jenn is a wonderfully gifted songwriter, singer and communicator," says producer Jeff Pardo. "Her creativity is all over this project and she constantly had great ideas for where she wanted her music to go. Working on these songs and making them come to life was a true joy."
In addition to the release of World of Wonder and the release of "Bride" as the single to Christian radio, another track from World of Wonder, "Sanctuary," will be featured on the record Top 20 INDIE from Nashville, TN based worship music label Indelible Creative Group (Phil Joel, Jeff Deyo, The Longing, Travis Cottrell) and distributed by Word Distribution. The release will also be available in Target stores and digitally downloadable in March.

Weber is set to kick-off the CD release with the "World of Wonder CD Launch & Worship Event" at Montgomery Community Church in Cincinnati, OH February 16 and 17. The two-day free and open to the public event begins Weber's spring and summer tour schedule in support of the release.

For more on Jenn Weber's music, visit www.jennweber.com or www.myspace.com/jennweber

Media contact:
Sarah Butler
e-mail: modernPR@gmail.com
office: 615.364.9634

Jenn Weber – World of Wonder
Song by Song

1. Imagination (Weber/Sadler)
Imagination came out of the overwhelming appreciation of God's presence, not only in each day's sunrise, but within my own heart. It struck me that He created this beautiful world around us, and had enough forethought to know that we would be in need of a Savior--and that His son would display His greatest act of ultimate, awe-inspiring, imagination.

2. World of Wonder (Weber/Sadler)
I seem to write a lot about approaching my relationship with the Lord through fresh, child-like eyes. I think that comes from the deepest longing in my heat to experience Christ in the most authentic and tangible way possible this side of Heaven. It seemed so fitting that the opening line should be, "Hey I wanna meet you all over again;" each day being another opportunity to uncover who He is, and grow in wonder of what he is doing in and around me.

3. Eternal (Weber)
"What a broad world to roam in, what a vast sea to swim in is our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He is Eternal." The minute I read this line, I knew I had tapped into something weighty. There are those moments when I believe God gives you a glimpse of Himself – when he peels back the veil to eternity – and then you're left to untangle that awe. Being a songwriter, I chose lyric and melody as my medium, and this song was born. This line was derived from the book, "The Pursuit of God" written by the influential AW Tozer, and it has had a more profound impact on my faith than any other piece of literature, aside from the Bible.

4. Lullaby (Weber)
I actually wrote this song when I was thirteen, and for some reason, it just stuck. My mom's sister was born with a condition that prevented her brain from developing – thus, for twenty-one years, her body never grew past the size of a toddler. Bed-ridden from her disorder she was left much like a doll to the ones who loved her most. My grandparents were counseled to give her up to an institution, but the peace of God surrounded them and they chose to keep Carol Joy. They chose to love her just as much as they loved my stunning, talented mother. Many people actually came to know the Lord through the testimony of my grandparent's attitude through this difficult situation, and Carol Joy became known to many as the "silent evangelist." One night early in my teen years, I was in the basement of my home, guitar in hand, and felt led to write this song as if I were singing it to Carol Joy…a simple lullaby of hope, and the joy of knowing she was whole with Christ.


5. Used To You (Weber/Sadler)
When I first moved to Nashville, I found a great way to plug into the college scene, despite the fact that I wasn't actually attending a university through Refuge: a weekly worship service for students. One of the first weeks I attended they featured a guest speaker who offered a ton of thought provoking statements about our relationship with the Lord. One of the things that he said was, "I don't ever want to get used to God. Do you?" The truth is, the longer I've been a Christian, the harder it seems to appreciate how incredible it is that we have a relationship with the Creator of the universe! I find myself complacent- content to merely go through the motions of Christianity: church, Bible studies, good-works, and bedtime prayers. It's all very tidy & predictable. The guest speaker that night was challenging us to try to break through the boxes we'd built around Christianity & fight to keep an air of mystery around our relationship with God--to keep our love alive & burning.

6. Bride (Weber)
Fear is a funny thing, and a not so funny thing. It's funny in that we allow fear of things we can't control, to steal our joy – and it's not so funny in how debilitating that can be. I can be a bit of a control freak sometimes and I struggle with giving my fears and anxieties to the Lord. When I was pouring my heart out to God one afternoon, I struggled with releasing my worries to him, and I felt a stirring in my heart, and the desire to write this song – a song of hope and anticipation for Christ's return, an end to all our earthly fears. What an amazing joy it will be to see my Savior face to face; what a day, when all my fears will be washed away and I will be whole! "Hallelujah, He's coming for his Bride…"

7. Your Love is Changing Me (Weber)
I realized one day how very similar our relationship with God is to a love story. Scripture likens us to be the Bride of Christ – talk about romantic! This song was fashioned from this new perspective on my relationship with the Lord – and I supposed that if loves-songs are penned for earthly lovers every day, why not write one for my first love, my Savior. Plus, there's that added bonus of never breaking up, and never having to stop singing this song ;)

8. Still Small Voice (Weber)
I am unbelievably delighted that God is so patient with us. He never tires of forgiving us and drawing us closer to himself every day. I am in awe of Christ's desire for an authentic relationship with us – how, more than anything else, he wants our hearts. Sadly, I also recall the moments I haven't made time for Him -- the times when I felt him stirring within me -- the nights He wanted so much to speak to me, and I wasn't willing to listen. Still Small Voice is about that tension, and my heartfelt desire to "Be still and know that [He] is God."

9. Sing To You (Weber)
Soon after I moved to Nashville at the age of eighteen, I signed with an independent Christian record label here in town. As far as I was concerned, I had arrived at the pinnacle of success and was feeling pretty good about it. Not long after that, and a few weeks before we were to commence recording my first album, the label informed me they had gone under. I was devastated and frustrated with the Lord – I couldn't understand why He would let that happen, especially after I felt it had been His hand that had led me to that success in my life. God, in his gentle sovereignty, began to reveal to me that my motivations had been upside-down, and how He was still in control of my life…and my dreams. I began writing this song right before the label completely dissolved, and tossed it aside. I found it months later (after many heart changes) and felt led to finish it as a testimony to God's faithfulness in difficult times.

10. Heart By Storm (Weber/Sadler)
"Heart By Storm" was a difficult song to write – not so much in form, but in my heart. Inviting the Lord to do whatever it takes to draw you to Him can be a frightening reality. Still, I feel like this was another landmark for me in understanding God's sovereignty in my own life. It's all about coming to a place in your spirit where you can bow before the Living God and cry, "Whatever it takes, I want to know you!" Entrusting God with my life and future was one of the most difficult things for me to do, but once I realized that all He ever truly wanted was my heart, it seemed ludicrous to hold it firmly in my own hands.

11. Extraordinary (Weber)
It amazes me how God uses the most ordinary people to do the most extraordinary things. King David, Queen Esther, Ruth, Tamar, Josiah, Rahab, Mary …all ordinary individuals just like you and me, and yet God used them, in spite of their weaknesses, for His glory! It makes me smile to think that He could use even me, a twenty-two year old girl living in Nashville, TN to make a difference for His kingdom. Talk about exciting J

12. Try (Weber/Pardo)
I know I'm not the only one who has felt like giving up – in fact, I'm a repeat offender. I wrote "Try" about the feeling of desperation to be an anthem of encouragement. God's great and relentless love for us is what gives us the strength to keep going, to keep trying, and to continue trusting. There is no doubt that failure is certain, but take heart: so is God's faithfulness!

13. You Read Me (Weber/Sadler)
Pslam 139 says, "O God, You search me and You know me…You're familiar with all my ways." I love that there's a God who knows us more intimately than even our closest of friends, and yet, loves us completely. That kind of love astounds me, and leaves me with no other option but to worship such a merciful Creator. This song celebrates that intimacy.

14. Sanctuary (Weber/Sadler)
This song was truly inspired; Gary Sadler and I couldn't even begin to take credit if this song draws you into the courts of the King. "Sanctuary" was written out of unusual circumstances. While I was still with the label, I was under a good deal of pressure to write a "hit radio single," no pressure, right? Gary and I had set up a writing session and had nothing to show for 2 hours of attempts at an up-tempo radio song. The Lord had other plans that day for us, and in the silence of our foiled plans, he whispered these words in our minds, and we wrote this song in 30 minutes. I hope the peace of the Lord washes over you with each word as it did our pens that day.

Hey friends! Couldn't wait to finally get the chance to share the news with you that I'm engaged! Last Friday night, August 3rd, Kenny proposed in my hometown Cincinnati, Ohio on a bluff overlooking a lake tickled with the light from a summer sunset. I could not be more excited! God is unbelievably faithful...my family and I have prayed for 'God's BEST' for many years and the Lord has truly outdone himself! The wedding is set for July 27, 2008 - we'd so appreciate your prayers as we continue to follow the Lord with all our heart, mind and strength and prepare for our future together! Love you guys :)

Be Blessed!
Jenn

p.s. I posted some photos from our engagement night! Enjoy :)

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." -Colossians 3:12-17