CHRI’s Staff’s Favourite CD’s of 2011
By the staff at Family Radio CHRI
2011 has been an exciting year on the music front and we’ve chosen our favorite albums of 2011. What is your favourite album of 2011? Let us know in the comment section below.
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By the staff at Family Radio CHRI
2011 has been an exciting year on the music front and we’ve chosen our favorite albums of 2011. What is your favourite album of 2011? Let us know in the comment section below.
I love the week between Christmas and New Year’s. For me, it is always a time when things slow down. I can reflect on the past year and look forward to the new year. I especially enjoy the time with my family and reconnecting with what’s really important.
I know it’s commonplace to laugh off New Year’s resolutions, but I think they can provide a powerful catalyst for change if they are done right. The problem with most resolutions is that they are little more than aspirations or wishes. Here are three bad examples:
• I want to lose weight this year.
• I want to quit smoking.
• I want to get out of debt.
The main problem with these kinds of “resolutions” (and I use the term loosely), is that they demonstrate zero resolve. If you state your resolutions in this manner, I can almost guarantee you that you won’t attain them.
In order to make your resolutions stick, you need to employ four strategies:
1. Keep them few in number. Productivity studies show that you really can’t focus on more than 5-7 items at any one time. And don’t try to cheat by including sections with several resolutions under each section. This is a recipe for losing focus and accomplishing very little. Instead, focus on a handful of resolutions that you can almost repeat from memory. Mine fit on one 4″ x 6″ card.
2. Make them “smart.” Resolutions are really just annual goals. But like all goals, they should be s-m-a-r-t:
Specific—your goals just identify exactly what you want to accomplish in as much specificity as you can muster.
Measurable—as the old adage says, “you can’t manage what you can’t measure.”
Actionable—every resolution should start with a verb (e.g., “quit,” “run,” “finish,” “eliminate,” etc.)
Realistic—you have to be careful here. A good resolution should stretch you, but you have to add a dose of common sense.
Time-bound—every resolution needs a date associated with it. When do you plan to deliver on that resolution. It could be by year-end (December 31) or it could be more near-term (March 31).
3. Write them down. This is critical. There is a huge power in writing your resolutions on paper even if you never develop an action plan or do anything else. Henriette Anne Klauser documents this in her fascinating book, Write It Down and Make It Happen.
4. Go public. Tell your family and friends what you are committed to achieving. Better yet, post your resolutions on your blog. Going public creates accountability and leverage. Several years ago, I blogged about my goal to run a half marathon. Once I did that, there was no turning back. People would ask, “So how’s your training going?” I wanted to have a good answer, so I would haul myself out of bed and go run.
Question: What are your resolutions for 2011? C’mon. Go public! You can leave a comment below.
An amazing list of clever household tricks to make 2012 just the much easier!
Via: amy-newnostalgia.blogspot.com
Why didn’t I think of that?! We guarantee you’ll be uttering those words more than once at these ingenious little tips, tricks and ideas that solve everyday problems … some you never knew you had! (Above: hull strawberries easily using a straw).
Via: apartmenttherapy.com
Rubbing a walnut over scratches in your furniture will disguise dings and scrapes.
Via: unplggd.com
Remove crayon masterpieces from your TV or computer screen with WD40 (also works on walls).
Via: athomewithrealfood.blogspot.com
Stop cut apples browning in your child’s lunch box by securing with a rubber band.
Via: marthastewart.com
Overhaul your linen cupboard – store bedlinen sets inside one of their own pillowcases and there will be no more hunting through piles for a match.
Via: realsimple.com
Pump up the volume by placing your iPhone / iPod in a bowl – the concave shape amplifies the music.
Via: iheartnaptime.net
Add this item to your beach bag. Baby powder gets sand off your skin easily – who knew?!
Via: flickr.com
Look up! Use wire to make a space to store gift wrap rolls against the ceiling, rather than cluttering up the floor.
Via: instructables.com
Gotcha! Find tiny lost items like earrings by putting a stocking over the vacuum hose.
Via: stephmodo.com
For those who can’t stand the scrunching and bunching: how to perfectly fold a fitted sheet.
Via: sprwmn.blogspot.com
Forever losing your bathroom essentials? Use magnetic strips to store bobby pins (and tweezers and clippers) behind a vanity door.
Via: realsimple.com
A tip for holiday packing. Store shoes inside shower caps to stop dirty soles rubbing on your clothes. And you can find them in just about every hotel!
Via: familyfun.go.com
A muffin pan becomes a craft caddy. Magnets hold the plastic cups down to make them tip-resistant.
Via: kiboomu.com
Bake cupcakes directly in ice-cream cones – so much more fun and easier for kids to eat. Definitely doing this!
Via: squawkfox.com
Microwave your own popcorn in a plain brown paper bag. Much healthier and cheaper than the packet stuff.
Via: photobucket.com
Brilliant space-saver: install a tension rod to hang your spray bottles. Genius!
Via: wilton.com
Turn your muffin pan upside down, bake cookie-dough over the top and voila – you have cookie bowls for fruit or ice-cream. Click here for recipe.
The team at New Release Tuesday asked a wide assortment of Christian artists their hopes and dreams for 2012.
Have a Happy New Year from your friends at Family Radio CHRI!
Plumb: My husband was recently diagnosed as a Type 2 Diabetic and it’s a 2012 goal of our family for him to become healthy enough to come off insulin shots. So we’re on a pretty intense healthy regime as a family in an effort to achieve that goal together. I’m not as much a resolution maker, but rather like to set goals. I think they’re important to have, and to achieve them you need a community supporting you. So that’s our number one goal as a family right now and will be into the new year.
NewSong (Matt Butler): We are, in my opinion, an undeservingly blessed nation. I would love to see a “change” in the political direction of our country. I’d love to see some men with Godly morals and convictions rise to influence in our government. But I will settle for the Lions winning the Super Bowl!
Anthem Lights (Caleb Grimm): It’s no secret that times are hard. There are a lot of people struggling right now. I would love to see the economy begin to recover at a faster pace next year, so that people can provide for their families. The silver lining is that that we can use this time of financial difficulty to develop an even greater dependence on God and place our focus on the things that really matter. Luckily, our treasure can’t be found here on earth anyway.
Jessa Anderson: I feel so blessed right now, it’s hard to imagine asking for anything else, but I do hope to get started on my next full-length project. I am looking forward to sharing more songs about how God has been working in my life and using new music to connect with people in new ways!
JJ Heller: I would love to grow in wisdom as a wife and a parent. I want to walk into 2012 with an open heart that’s so full joy and hope that there’s no room for fear.
FFH (Jeromy Deibler): I’m hoping to take better care of my teeth in 2012.
Benjah: I’m so excited for the growth and exposure of Urban Christian music and I’ve been privileged to be a part of it. I would love to see it continue to grow and just get better and better.
Matt Brouwer: My wife and I are considering a trip to Israel in 2012. Whether or not that happens, travel to new places is most definitely a goal. We know we are where God has us right now, but we also know there a new things He has for us to do as well. I’m looking forward to seeing more of that story unfold!
No Other Name (Chad): I would love to see all of us who are Christians be resolved to take an unapologetic stand for our faith. We are the only people on the globe who actually have the real truth. If we were joined together not based on denomination but on our membership in the family of God, what a change we could make in our country.
No Other Name (Sam): I’d love to see obedience to Christ even after Christmas is over. Why should we be more willing to be charitable, forgiving and loving just because the calendar says December? Last I checked, the fruits of the Spirit aren’t bound by the calendar.
No Other Name (Laura): I am looking forward to the birth of my first child in 2012. It’s looking to be quite an eventful year! I am praying for a healthy delivery and strength and wisdom for this new mama.
John Schlitt: I want to see our government return to a state that makes sense. I want to see a government come forward that represents the Constitution in the manner that our country was built on, the country that my father and grandfather suffered for. I want a government that believes in the Constitution and the American way, and has God and Christian principles at the forefront.
Nathan Tasker: Personally, I want to see God glorified in my life, and to grow in my understanding of His loving kindness shown to me in Jesus. Musically, I would love to see some of the heartbreaking events I have experienced in 2011 worked through in new songs that bring greater encouragement to all who hear them (myself included). I want to see the gospel of Jesus proclaimed as truly beautiful & believable in 2012!
Jason Bare: There is so much to hope for! A peaceful world, financial increase and good health. But more than anything, I just want to get closer to my destiny and help others do the same. If we could just realize our purpose and live it out we would be much happier knowing we are walking in the will of God.
Matt Papa: I want to see every nation hear the gospel and see Jesus return. I also want to go snowboarding.
The Sonflowerz (Becca): I hope we make another tour happen in the U.K., and finish the girls devotional we’re writing. I also hope I win a free trip to the London Olympics next year! On a more serious note, I want to see the Church be culture-impacting and not culture-absorbing. God desires to reveal Himself to people across the earth. Will we let Him interrupt our plans so He can use us?
David Ian: In 2012, I would absolutely love to see more people spending time interacting with each other in person, and a lot less texting!
Cortni: It is my goal that the music I sing will reach out to those that are in all genres of music! I pray that my songs will be played on all radio stations, not just the Christian ones.
Andrew Greer: A continued effort to love our neighbors more–not just our international brothers and sisters, or the impoverished, but literally the person next door. Think of the impact that would eventually have across the entire world.
Mosaic: We would really love to continue to see God developing new fruit in our lives over the next year as we are being transformed and renewed by His Word and Spirit regularly. We also are continuing to pray that God would expand the influence of the ministry He has given us with Mosaic.
Jason Bare: “There is so much to hope for! A peaceful world, financial increase and good health. But more than anything, I just want to get closer to my destiny and help others do the same. If we could just realize our purpose and live it out we would be much happier knowing we are walking in the will of God.”

The Debt Ceiling Crisis
Bethel Music releases its all-new, full-length recording, The Loft Sessions, Jan. 24, 2012 as a special CD/DVD combo. Recorded live in a refurbished rustic loft, the Bethel Music team gathered friends and family for several nights of worship that set the stage for this ground-breaking recording.
One of the standout tracks from The Loft Sessions, “Come To Me,” was written by Jenn Johnson. Seeing the news of earthquakes and other natural disasters happening all around the world, she wanted to know what God was saying through all the chaos. Jenn heard the Lord saying, “You don’t have to worry about anything, just come to me.” For more The Loft Sessions information, including song clips, downloadable chord charts, behind-the-scenes video, and more, go to: www.bethelmusic.com/theloftsessions.
DIY PROJECT: VINTAGE POSTCARD CALENDAR JOURNAL
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CLICK HERE for the full how-to!
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2012 BEST OF MY DAYS NOTEPAD {free download}
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CLICK HERE for the full how-to!
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THE YEAR OF MAGICAL THINKING
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CLICK HERE for the full how-to!
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20 QUESTIONS : BIRTHDAY Q + A ALBUM
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CLICK HERE for the full how-to!
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Listen to Chris Tomlin’s “How Great Is Our God [World Edition]”