Say what you will about Miley Cyrus but this song is amazing.  Life is about the climb.  How well will we climb the mountains placed in front of us?  Ironically enough I watched a docu yesterday about a team of disabled people, 5 of them in wheelchairs, that made it to Everest Base Camp in 2003.  The docu was about THEIR climb and it was inspiring.  When we come across people who have climbed well and inspired people along the way then we are motivated to make our own climbs worth it.  It is all about the climb, as this song says.  One of my favorite scriptures is about climbing well.  It says, "The Lord God is my Strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds' feet and will make me to walk [not to stand still in terror, but to walk] and make [spiritual] progress upon my high places [of trouble, suffering, or responsibility]!" (Habakkuk 3:19 Amplified) It's all about the climb.  Happy Monday!  The Climb

My husband is old.  (Oh, this has not a whole lot to do with this hymn...)  He heard me pull up this song on YouTube and without looking to see who the artist was he exclaims, "Is that Tennessee Ernie Ford?!?"  I just looked at him.  He was right and oh my, he is old!  AHAHAHAHAHAHA! He knew it because Mr. Ford was apparently all his grandparents ever listened to.  :)  So anyway... Tell me of the love of God, tell me of his wonders, tell me of what he's done for mankind, tell me how he has brought redemption to me.  That is the old, old story but yet a story that never grows old and brings new life to all who hear it and receive it.  It's a beautiful story and timeless.  I pray you would hear it and receive it for yourself.  Happy Sunday!  Tell Me The Old, Old Story  (Tennessee Ernie Ford) Tell Me The Old, Old Story  (Children singing)

Jason Mraz looks like someone else and it's been bugging me.  Who does he look like?  (Besides himself of course - ha!)  No really he looks so much like someone else that I keep watching his stuff over and over trying to figure it out. Alas, I'm drawing a blank.  So I'll move on... LOVE his voice, his music, his style!  I'm a bit...behind, and didn't realize he had been around for as long as he has.  So I've got some major catch up to do! :)  My husband is groaning because this particular song "I' Yours" he hears no less than 100 times a day on the radio station they play at his work!  :) I promise him that I will mix it up and play all of Mraz's stuff not just this song!  OH!! I got it!! He looks like this character on one of my fave shows White Collar.  WHEW. I am SO glad I figured that out! :)  I'm good now.  Now I can just enjoy his music, which I plan on doing!  I hope you enjoy as well.  I'm Yours

Marvin Gaye.  Oh yeah!  Even the amazing Diana Ross can't do this song justice.  Marvin is really the only one who can make this song what it is.  I LOVE this song.  I love how this song seems to bring people together.  I love the music behind the lyrics.  I love Marvin and Tammi Terrell sound together.  I love this song! It never fails to lift my mood if I'm feeling a little low.  It expresses what my heart is for people I love - there is nothing too big to keep me from being there for people I love. And if I can express that sentiment then surely the One who created us all can make good on that promise!  See I may have good intentions to never let anything become too big of an obstacle between myself and a person I love but I'm human and those intentions may get thwarted.  But God?  He can make good on the promise that nothing will ever be too big for him to overcome to get to us.  In fact, he's already proven it.  Sin is the biggest obstacle there is between us and

"Discovered" by tobyMac this 19 year old has quite a life story to share.  She has Turret's but you'd never know it the way she sings and plays her guitar!  This song, her first, just hit radio play in the past couple of weeks and the first time I heard it I immediately took to it!  Love love love her sound and the song is refreshingly upbeat and fun.  I'm sure once the stations play it death I won't feel that way but until then I'll enjoy it!  :) Jamie Grace knows what it is like to be held by God in the moments of life when you feel the most alone.  and from the sound of her song she always knows what it's like to be held by him in the happiest of days as well.  :)  To be held by God, through light and dark moments, is the definition of complete.  Have fun with this song!  Hold Me

My husband still continues to exert a bit of his musical tastes in our family.  While I love more down to earth, simple songs I also love me some Skillet!  My youngest especially loves Skillet, she has their music on her iPod right up against Phantom of the Opera!  :) Ever since yesterday's song of the day I have been singing THIS song so I thought I would continue the theme (Awake...) and insert it.  Skillet's musical style and lyrics take the world of Christian rock to a whole new level.  A good level that is! We've come a long long long way since Petra and Stryper, both of whom get credit for forging a path for groups like Skillet to emerge.  This song I particularly love for not just it's lyrics but also it's tune.  Skillet just knows how to rock AND they have two chicks in the band that rock out as well!  You gotta respect that!  We are told in the word of God to be in the world but not of it and this song expands on that verse.  To be in the world and not o

My friend, Veronica, put Sarah Reeves on my radar.  So glad she did!  When I looked her up on YouTube I randomly picked this particular song (maybe because it's Tuesday but for a lot of us it's "Monday" since yesterday was a holiday and I need to wake up! Haha!) and my youngest and I loved the song AND got a kick out of the video so it quickly became today's song for the day.  :) Oh you thought it was some sort of "scientific" method I used to pick a song each day?  Uh, yeah.  No!  :) Anywho... Sarah Reeves is a young, talented singer who has chosen to use her voice to worship the One who gave her the voice in the first place!  And she has red hair, a definite bonus in our home - ha!  But she has a sweet Alabama accent and a love for Jesus.  It's her love for God that makes her shine.  In our home we can think of no better way to thank and worship God than to use the gifts he has given us well and for him.  Sarah Reeves seems to fall into that cate

The first time I heard this song I actually heard it as a parody (which I've included because it is HYSTERICAL!) and then I heard the real song and found I loved it just as much as the parody!  I love the sound of this song.  I love the sentiment of this song.  I haven't heard anything else by Plain White T's but this song I really really like.  I find as I get older that I love songs that are earthy and simple and sung without complication.  I am finding that I like the slightly off-beat and groups that are off my well traveled paths.  This is a great song, hope you enjoy!  And trust me , the parody is SO worth listening to!  :)  Hey There Delilah (Plain White T's) Hey There Delilah  (Tim Hawkins Parody) 

Andrae Crouch has written and performed some of the most anointed songs.  His love for God, his dedication to God shines through in his music and the best part is that he gives all credit to God for his gift in music.  He recognizes where the gift comes from.  I love this hymn because it highlights the life of faith in Christ.  Through it all you have to learn to trust in him.  Thoreau said, “The smallest seed of faith is better than the largest fruit of happiness.” We don't have to have massive faith in order to "prove" our trust in God.  The smallest amount is enough for him.  He takes it and multiplies it according to HIS good pleasure.  I think of Mother Teresa who struggled for most of her adult life with God.  But when all was said and done she had held on to the tiniest seed of faith in Christ and look how he has used what I am sure she considered to be insignificant faith.  Through it all she found enough faith to hold on to trust in God.  That is all he asks.  H

This song makes me want to go sit on the dock of a bay and read a good book and soak in the sunshine.  I love this song.  Otis puts me at ease with this song.  It literally soothes me.  I think it's a combination of his smooth voice and the idea of wasting time on the dock of some bay!  Here's to an easy, soothing Saturday... Sittin' On The Dock Of The Bay

Thank God it's Friday! Great song and beat to jump start your weekend!  And for many of us it's a 3 day weekend - woo hoo!  :)  Group 1 Crew is awesome.  They have great tunes and great lyrics!  We really really like them here at the Peninger home.  We got to see them in concert Fall 2010 and they are high energy with deep faith.  This song is fun but some of their other songs, while fun, display their deep faith proving that you can have deep faith AND be fun!  :)  My friends and I say that we have more fun with each other without alcohol or drugs on board, and we do!  Like the hip hop club style of Group 1 Crew?  Then check some of their other stuff, I'm pretty sure you'll love it!  :) HAPPY FRIDAY!! Live It Up

Blood.  Makes people squeamish for the most part.  I'm not sure that even Doctors LIKE blood, they just stomach it better than most! :)  I can't do blood.  Whenever my girls get hurt and there is blood and their Dad is home he gets the job of cleaning them up.  I just can't do blood.  I know one person who did blood and he did it for you and me.  He willingly gave his blood to cleanse us from unrighteousness.  He willingly gave his blood so that we wouldn't have to.  He willingly gave his blood, and his life, so that we could have life everlasting.  His blood was your victory and my victory.  It's the only blood that doesn't make me squeamish but incredibly grateful and humbled.  Need a transfusion?  I know a very willing donor.  If you'd like to hear more I'd be happy to share! O the Blood

Back in the day Annie was one of my favorite movies and I loved this song!  And then I purchased Harry Connick Jr's album "Songs I Heard" and he was singing it and it made me so happy I had to share! :) Of course the whole sentiment of the song IS true, you aren't fully dressed if you don't have the most important accessory - your smile!  There is something about a smile that completes a person's "look".  Last week I was having a hard time getting the smile to appear on it's own and several people mentioned that I seemed "off" or not myself.  It's because my smile was forced and wasn't reaching my eyes.  See, a real genuine smile that isn't forced or rehearsed will reach your eyes.  So as you get ready for your day today just remember that you aren't totally ready to walk out the door unless you have a smile to offer the world! :)  Have a happy Wednesday! You're Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile  - Annie (1982)

George Strait can't be beat when it comes to his voice and class.  He is the best, I love George Strait.  My hub calls him Wilbur Crooked - hahahahahaha!  I love this song, The sentiment of it warms my heart and just makes me happy!  The video however leaves a lot to be wanted for.  Such a bad video, it has so much potential but whew, is it bad!  :)  But still I'd watch it over and over again just to hear the song if I had to.  :)  Check Yes or No

All of us can celebrate Love today because Love is available to each of us.  Love wants to take you in, will you let it?  The Creator of Love has made it available to you, you just have to be willing to see it and accept it in it's various forms.  When Love takes you in EVERYTHING changes... When Love Takes You In

What does the love of God do?  It fills, it heals, it restores, it motivates, it challenges, it compels, it shines.  God's love never fails but always excels.  God's love is weaved into every moment of history, even the dark moments.  When we cannot see God's love it is not because God has not loved, it is because we have allowed the eyes of our hearts to become blind.  Take a risk and open the eyes of your heart to God and his love.  You will not be disappointed!  Love Divine, All Loves Excelling - Mormon Tabernacle Choir Love Divine, All Loves Excelling - Wells Cathedral Choir

This song transports me back to middle school.  Do you remember middle school?  (Can you without having nightmares tonight?  Haha)  I remember one time listening to this song while a bunch of us traveled down to Denver for a New Year's Eve Lock In.  And I remember at the time trying to figure out the angst behind the song.  Little did I know in my little middle school world that love angst isn't contained to just middle school or high school but goes beyond.  I thought as adults everyone got a grip and everything worked out.  Yes.  I was incredibly naive.  It's okay because I've grown up and I have experienced and I understand that every rose does have a thorn.  And I have to say this because I just thought of it.  There were thorns pushed into the head of a man a long time ago and the blood from the punctures rolled down his face and he let it happen for us.  Yes for you and for me.  And they call him the Rose of Sharon.  Indeed every rose has it's thorn but that&#

Oh my gosh, this is really good and really funny!  I watched this before I watched what she was making a parody of and she did an amazing job of re-making, parody style, Lady Gaga's "Telephone".  Now here's my confession.  I have NEVER listened to Lady Gaga (Stephanie I can hear you gasp right now - send me your fave by her and I'll put in in song of the day! :) )  and the only song I know of hers is "Paparazzi" and that is only because two kids danced to it on the last season of America's Got Talent!  I know, go ahead and say it.  I'm a bit sheltered... Interesting and true fact about Lady Gaga - she went to Sacred Heart School in NYC which is an all girls school and my sister-in-law now teaches there in the lower elementary.  :) Caroline Kennedy also went to that school.  Thought I'd throw another fact in there!  So back to the parody.  All I can say, as I have been all week, is AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!  This girl, who calls herself the Venetian

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! "We", meaning my almost 13 year old, have major Bieber fever so when I saw there was a parody I HAD to put it in.  SO funny and totally addresses all the things i have been saying about the "dreamy" JB.  Tee hee hee... Dave Days is a teen who parodies teen songs.  He does, actually, an amazing job!  I'm Just A Baby featuring Tay Zonday

Anita Renfroe, Pastor's wife turned stand up comic, does a parody of Faith Hill's song "Breathe".  This version is, well, hysterical !  Be married for any length of time and this song rings true for you as well.  This is a great version of the song. Just great!  Don't Breathe

Tim Hawkins, one of the funniest stand up comics I have ever seen, also does GREAT parody songs.  In today's song for the day he's chosen the great Carrie Underwood and has re-made her popular "Jesus Take The Wheel".  He's given it a redneck flavor that I think all can appreciate through laughter! Happy Tuesday! Cletus Take The Reel

It seems like a lot of people are looking at this week and feeling like it's going to be a long one.  So to help us all get through I thought this work week I would highlight some favorite spoof songs. I would be remiss if I didn't start off with Weird Al Yankovic. He is who I think of immediately when I think of spoof songs.  :) While Michael Jackson was a genius musically his songs also became easy fodder for Weird Al and I had to start off with this one.  My girls love it, they think it is so funny...for more reasons I think than we did back when it was released.  Haha! Happy Monday!  Eat It

Why should he love US so?  Why indeed?  Why love flawed, sinful, selfish, hypocritical, lazy us?  Surely we use up his love at some point.  Surely he cannot love us enough to continue loving us when we disappoint him so.  This is what we think but it is not what God thinks.  He is able to look beyond all that we would not be able to.  He loves us without condition, he loves how we cannot.  And that is reason to love him!  Why Should He Love Me So?  (Crystal Lewis) Why Should He Love Me So?  (The White Sisters)

Heard this song at the end of Blindside and really loved the sound of the song.  I loved the sound of the music and the lead singer's voice.  I have never heard of Five for Fighting but then again one would probably call me pretty sheltered when it comes to music.  :)  So I love it when I hear a song or an artist that I never have before and they catch my attention and I can dive into their music a little bit more.  It's the same as when I discover new-to-me author.  The lyrics to this song are all about chances. Taking them and what you could gain from taking chances and what you might lose from taking chances.  I'm not a brave person, I don't like taking chances because of the risk.  But the past few years I've been stepping out of my comfort zones and risking taking some chances.  Some have worked out like I hoped, others haven't but I have learned and grown from each one.  Chances

Happy 60th Birthday Mama!  :) Over the past few years my Mom has come to really love the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir.  So much so that several times, when she has visited the rest of our family in New York City, she makes the trek (and it is a trek) to Brooklyn to attend services there.  Not only is the choir amazing but the Pastor, Jim Cymbala, preaches the Word of God straight up and my Mom gets fed good at that church!   One of the amazing things about this choir is their director, Carol Cymbala.  Yes, she's Jim's wife and the daughter of the church founder. She's also untrained and the choir is untrained.  And yet, listen to them!  Do they sound untrained to you?!?  For the complete story about the choir click here .  It's really quite amazing. To hear the choir and to hear Pastor Jim bring the Word of God alive...I'd make the trek to Brooklyn each Sunday if I lived anywhere in NYC!   He's Been Faithful Worthy Is The Lamb Amazing Grace

My Mom loved Michael Jackson.  LOVED HIM. If memory serves me correct she even went to see him in concert back in the day, way back in the day.  I loved early Michael Jackson, even as early as Jackson Five days.  But the older he got the stranger he got, unfortunately.  From this time period everyone always picks Thriller as the MJ song to highlight so I went to Billie Jean.  Good song, ridiculous video that makes NO sense.  Michael Jackson was brilliant at his craft.  If we talk about Thriller for a minute...it was the first of its kind.  Nothing on that scale had been done at that time.  I remember watching a docu on the making of Thriller and it was intense!  It was a small scale movie.  And it was brilliant.  It sealed MJ's fate in a lot of hearts.  I personally love Jackson Five even over early MJ.  So as a bonus today I have included a Jackson Five song.  Check out MJ, BRILLIANT!!   Billie Jean Bonus song! ABC by the Jackson Five

Thanks to my Mom I love me some Neil Diamond.  And I love this song.  Actually back in my childhood days I think we were listening to the "newer" (at that time) releases from Neil but I love this song so today I pick it!  Actually one of his songs that were really popular in my day was "America" so I've included it today as a bonus.  Neil is as timeless as Billy Joel.  Really they are in the same category in terms of musicians and good music.  :)  Sweet Caroline America

My love for Billy Joel comes from my Mom.  I have the best memories of singing along, loudly I might add, to Uptown Girl, Piano Man, any Billy Joel song out there.  She had his tapes and loved Billy Joel.  He's brilliant.  His playing, his lyrical content, his voice.  He is brilliant.  To this day I love his music and it always makes me think of my mom, whom I love much more than his music!  :)   Uptown Girl