FREE MP3 Download

Just stumbled on an excellent website called @noisetrade. Artists can place one or more songs on this website to give back to music listeners. I guess the trade is that the artist will gain more exposure and also get potential email contact details etc.

"Artists want to know, connect with, and be supported by music fans. Music fans want high-quality, free (or variably priced) music and to be rewarded, not punished, for sharing the music they love with their friends. We believe that if artists and fans work together, everyone can get what they want."

Anyways, we've shared our 'He Knows' song on noisetrade. You can download it for free. Go to noisetrade.com/ericandmonique t0 download for free.

Enjoy!

- Eric

A Prodigal

We have all felt at some point in our lives that we were prodigal, I know I have. The word prodigal creates a nearly automatic response derived from the parable Jesus told of the lost son who spent his money recklessly in the world and then, destitute, comes running home to a Father who accepts His lost son back home.  At church today we had an awesome sermon re-discovering the beautiful points of this well-known parable. Here's a couple of the points I loved all over again today:

• The state the son found himself in, was one of his own making, one where he had separated himself from his father. Just as our sinful state is of ours: "but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God" Isaiah 59:2; "A sinful state is a state of departure and distance from God... A sinful state is a spending state... a wanting state... a vile servile state" Henry Commentary.

• But all he had to do was admit his wrong and return to his father: "I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son." Luke 15:18,19. Just as all we need to do is to confess that we do have sin. That it exists in us. And that we need a saviour. And "if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" 1 John 1:9

• That when the prodigal went back to his Father, he didn't have to come all the way, because his Father came out to meet him. To give his a robe and welcome him home. In the same way, our heavenly Father is waiting for us to turn and realise our sinfulness and He will cleanse us and cover us with the robe of Christ's righteousness!

• We are God's sons and daughters. He offers us an inheritance. But do we inherit His ability to forgive? Or are we like the elder son in the parable? Just as He forgives, so we should forgive.

God's blessings, ~ Monique

Songs of Ascent

Under three weeks to go, yes! The thought of getting on a big jet plane (unfortunately not the A380) and traveling across the pacific ocean to California, USA is very exciting! I love flying and I love traveling, but, there is something uniquely special about traveling with the focus of mission. No doubt we'll see some cool things along the way like the Golden Gate Bridge or Yosemite National Park, or perhaps even that Hollywood sign in LA that is apparently pretty lame in real life. But anyways, like I said, there is something really special about going out in faith to serve God in mission. It's rewarding!

So, with this trip across the pond, we will be meeting up with other 'musicianaries' who attended ARISE (Josh & Jackie Cunningham, Matt & Josie Minikus and Alison Brook) in an exciting new music / evangelism concept: 'Songs of Ascent'.

'Who I AM' is the theme for 2011 and if you read the blurb below you'll get more of the picture.

"It is a tragic reality that many people in this world whose failure to respond to God’s great love is driven by nothing more than a misunderstanding of who He really is. Satan has masterfully misrepresented and maligned the character of God, so that many see Him as either aloof and impersonal, or as unjust and unloving. Through music, testimonies, and the Word of God, “Who I AM” seeks to set right the misconceptions about God’s character by presenting a biblically accurate picture of who He is—a loving and personal Creator and Savior who desires to be intimately involved in our lives."

This creative project could be just the beginning of a whole new way of “doing” evangelism. One of the ways is working with churches that are starting an evangelistic series during our trip. Our music will be held just prior to the start of the series as a way to invite more people from the community to the meetings. Along the journey, guest speakers such as David Asscherick and Ty Gibson will be sharing the Word of God.

We can't wait!!! :)

Much of God's blessings to you all, - Eric

p.s. We'll aim to update our journey as much as possible on twitter and facebook and hopefully blogs from time to time. Follow us @ericandmonique and facebook.com/ericandmonique