PLUS: Girl group keeps it positive while Tammy Trent returns with her danceable pop

1 GIRL NATION
1 Girl Nation
Reunion Records
(Provident Distribution) 
602341017923
Aug. 20

Five young women—Lauryn Taylor, Kayli, Kelsey, Carmen and Lindsey—make up new Reunion Records group 1 Girl Nation. Following the release of first single “While We’re Young,”  the full release features 10 pop tunes co-written with songwriters including Jason Ingram and Tony Wood. The group addresses topics such as self-worth, purpose and true beauty through songs such as “Daddy’s Girl” and “Love Like Crazy,” which features labelmate band Royal Tailor.  

EVENING: MORNING
The Digital Age
Fair Trade Services (Provident)
736211607591
Aug. 13

Although David Crowder Band disbanded last year, four of its members are pressing on with a new group, The Digital Age, and a new project, Evening: Morning. Comprised of Mike Dodson (Mike D), Mark Waldrop, Jack Parker and Jeremy Bush (Bwack), the group has the same mission as the David Crowder Band: “to make music that bridges the gap between our mainstream culture and our Christian faith,” Waldrop said. The new project, which includes 12 tracks varying from upbeat to low-key worship tunes, features strong electronic elements. 

LOVE & THE OUTCOME
Love & The Outcome
Word Records 
(Word Distribution)
08068865122
Aug. 27

Comprised of husband-and-wife team Chris and Jodi, Love & The Outcome follows the release of the lead single “He Is With Us” with a self-titled full-length debut. The project was produced by Seth Mosley (Newsboys) along with Ben Glover (For King & Country) and David Garcia (TobyMac). The group has already appeared on the Hundred More Years Tour supporting Francesca Battistelli and The Afters. 

STRONG GOD
New Life Worship
Integrity Music
(Provident) 
000768518229
Aug. 13

Strong God is the new release from New Life Worship from New Life Church in Colorado Springs, Colo. Known for worship standards such as “Overcome,” “I Am Free,” “Your Name” and “My Savior Lives,” the album should attract the attention of worship leaders and listeners. Strong God features songwriting contributions from Michael Farren, Jason Ingram, Glenn Packium and Meredith Andrews, creating a live modern worship experience. Songs include “Alive and Free,” “More Than Enough,” “Victorious God” and the title track.

SUNNY DAYS
Tammy Trent
September Day Records
(Infinity Music Distribution)
654367859995
Aug. 6

Singer, author and speaker Trent’s  hope-driven Sunny Days is produced by Doug Beiden and is her first studio release in five years. The project features her signature danceable pop with worshipful lyrics and Trent writing eight of the 10 songs. Reflecting God’s faithful commitment in the songs’ lyrics, the release includes “You’ll Come,” “Your Grace Is Enough” and “Fall at Your Feet,” co-written with Beiden and Scott Krippayne. 

THE LIVING YEARS
The Isaacs
Gaither Music Group 
(Capitol Christian Distribution)
617884877422
Aug. 13

The Isaacs, a Gaither Homecoming staple, offers a new collection, The Living Years. It includes a capella and acoustic arrangements of songs about faith and family, including Dottie Rambo’s “Grandpa, Tell Me ’Bout the Good Ole Days,” the album’s  title track and “Leave It All on the Altar.”

Grown-up Tricia Brock explores themes relevant to life as a wife and mother

Tricia Brock—the voice behind successful radio singles such as “One Girl Revolution,” “We Live” and “Stand in the Rain” by the band Superchick—debuts Radiate (804147167028, Inpop Records), her first solo project, Aug. 13. 

Brock joined the contemporary Christian band, which has sold more than a million albums and had five No. 1 singles, soon after high school and toured the world with the band as a young single. Now a wife and mother, she says the new project is a chance for her to connect more personally with listeners. 

Songs on the project include “Enough,” a song about trusting God when life isn’t going well; “Mirror, Mirror” speaks about the temporary things people chase after; and “What I Know” a tender piano ballad of praise to God. 

While some themes are universal, Brock—who goes by Tricia now—feels the new project may endear itself to some older listeners outside of Superchick’s main demographic. 

“Honestly, I’ve always felt like a big sister to our fans, being there to encourage them and let them know other people have felt the same things they are experiencing, and that they can make it through,” she said. “But now that I’m a wife, mom and working woman, I also have a whole new respect and understanding for a new group of people.”

Though the band allowed Brock to deliver positive messages to the teens-and-younger set, she’s also aware that feelings of insecurity and self-doubt follow them well into their adult years, emotions that she has also faced. 

“Even as an adult there are different areas that make me feel the same way I did in high school—that I’m not good enough, that I don’t measure up,” she said. “I have bad days where I feel easily discouraged, depressed and listen to the fear. But those moments in particular are the times where I have to hold on to my faith and to let my heart be convinced of the things that my mind knows.”

Making the new record also allowed Tricia the chance to collaborate with her husband, Nick Baumhardt (Stellar Kart). The duo wrote the album together, recorded it in their home studio, and Baumhardt served as producer. 

To order, contact Capital Christian Distribution at 800-877-4443 or www.capitolchristiandistribution.com.

American Idol alum Mandisa’s new album, Overcomer (5099960707420, $13.99), releases Aug. 27 from Sparrow Records (Capitol Christian Distribution). 

What are some of the things that influenced you most going into the process of preparing for the new album?

I feel like God placed several “overcomers” in my life around the time I began working on this album. Being a small part of Robin Roberts’ story on Good Morning America opened my eyes to the strength someone fighting a similar battle must have. Being on GMA the week she went on medical leave for her bone marrow transplant, and being invited to sing “Stronger” the day she returned was one of the biggest honors of my life! The six months in between those two events were filled with walking with several “overcomers.” One was a friend who was pregnant with her second child when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Another was a friend raising her daughter while walking through a divorce after discovering that her husband was having an affair. These beautiful, strong, godly women helped me realize that an overcomer is someone who faces a battle and comes out on top. They inspired many of the messages on my Overcomer album.

What are some of the highlights of the new record for you? 

One of my favorite things about this album was getting to write with and record songs written by some of my friends, who also happen to be some of my favorite artists. I have always been a huge fan of Plumb’s. I wrote one of the songs that means the most to me on this album with her. My brother John is not a Christian … yet! “Dear John” is basically a letter to him set to music about my desire for him to have the abundant life Jesus died for him to have. Matthew West and I have written many songs together. For this album, we wrote “The Distance,” a song about how God pursues us and closes the gap created by sin. Britt Nicole and Cindy Morgan co-wrote a beautiful song called “Where You Begin” about God’s strength being enough in our weakness. Israel Houghton is one of my favorite worship leaders. Writing a congregational worship song with him was a dream come true! When we worship God in the middle of a battle, it becomes a weapon. “At All Times” is a war cry of worship! After “Good Morning” (on my last album) became an alarm-clock song for many of my Twitter and Facebook friends, they overwhelmingly requested a nighttime song from me. Their wish is my command! I wrote, “Cradle Me (Patsy’s Lullaby)” with my friend and longtime Women of Faith speaker Patsy Clairmont. I’ve always wanted to write a song to my future husband. I finally got to write one with my boy, Chris August (who, to squash any rumors before they begin, I am not dating! We’re just friends!). “Praying for You” is the song I hope to sing to my future husband face to face one day. Until then, I’m pretty sure he’s lost and refuses to ask for directions!

Will you tour in support of the new record?

I have some concerts with Brandon Heath in the fall (dubbed “The BranDisa Tour”). In November and December, I’ll be on the Hits Deep Tour with TobyMac, Brandon Heath (nope, we’re not tired of each other yet), Jamie Grace, Colton Dixon, Chris August and Capital Kings. Woo hoo!

Do you consider your permanent tie to American Idol a challenge or a blessing? Does it still continue to open doors?

American Idol was an amazing launching pad for me. I love how my ties with it continue to provide a platform for me to share Jesus to a watching world. And it is so like our God to use a show with that title to teach that there is only one true and living God that is to be worshipped!

Eva Piper shares her personal story after husband Don’s popularity rose with his trip-to-heaven testimony 

One split second was all it took. In 1989, Eva Piper’s life changed forever when her pastor-husband, Don, was pronounced dead at the scene of a car accident. A semi had crossed the center line and hit his car head-on. A pastor who was driving behind Don stopped, laid hands on him and prayed. 

As told in 90 Minutes in Heaven (Revell/Baker Publishing Group), Eva’s husband returned to life 90 minutes later, and he says that in that time, he had gone to heaven. Told with the help of Cecil Murphey, Don’s story stayed on the New York Times best-seller list for nearly four years.

Now Eva has also collaborated with Murphey to explain her experiences at her husband’s side during recovery, including his 34 surgeries and severe depression. Releasing this month from Thomas Nelson, A Walk Through the Dark: How My Husband’s 90 Minutes in Heaven Deepened My Faith for a Lifetime recounts how her journey strengthened her faith and revealed abilities she didn’t realize she had.

For 15 years, Eva had relied on her husband for decision-making. With the accident, however, she had to make all the decisions. One of the most difficult was whether to authorize either the amputation of her husband’s leg or the use of a device to stimulate bone growth.

Since childhood, Eva had feared the dark. She also feared figurative darkness and yet she faced many dark days after the accident. Eva tells how God caused her to grow  as she became more assertive and her prayer life intensified.

Eva’s decision to allow the use of the device on Don’s leg resulted in success. In time, his major injuries healed, although he still deals with pain and some long-term challenges. The book also provides helpful information to caregivers. 

To order, call 800-251-4000 or visit www.thomasnelson.com.

Gang-member-turned-evangelist Nicky Cruz has noticed what he calls a disturbing trend in the church. As he preaches worldwide, he sees an increasing unawareness of the devil and the threat he poses. In his latest book, Cruz exposes the unrelenting attacks of Satan and issues a battle cry. 

In The Devil Has No Mother: Why He’s Worse Than You Think—But God is Greater (9781617951893, $14.99), releasing from Worthy Publishing this month, Cruz writes that he has had “more experience with the evil one than most.” 

Growing up in Puerto Rico, Cruz was victimized by his parents’ occult activity. People began to say about him, “Ese hombre no tiene madre.” Translated, this old Spanish saying is, “This guy has no mother,” and it refers to boys who seem bent on evil and destruction.

In the 1950s, a teenaged Cruz moved to New York City and became warlord of a gang involved in drug use and crime. But, through David Wilkerson’s efforts, Cruz came to Christ and later became an evangelist. His dramatic testimony was told in The Cross and the Switchblade (Chosen/Baker Publishing Group), a book that has sold more than 15 million copies and was made into a film.

Cruz says Satan’s greatest trick is deceiving people into believing he doesn’t exist. 

“The devil is real and active in this world. ... We need a knowledge of his power, as well as of the even greater power for good that is available to us,” he writes. 

But Cruz emphasizes the superior power of God. 

“The overriding message of this book is one of confidence and reassurance,” he writes, reminding readers that “the end of the story has already been written.” 

To order, call Capitol Christian Distribution at 800-877-4443.

Angels in the Fire: The Dramatic True Story of an Impossible Rescue by Dann Stadler tells of a miraculous rescue from a horrific auto accident. Dann and his wife, Tracey, survived the crash after Tracey was saved by a powerful angel. The book encourages believers and reveals that God still intervenes in lives today. Stadler blogs at www.saturdayspromise.com, which focuses on living in the promises of the resurrection. Bethany House (Baker Publishing Group) releases the book this month in softcover for $14.99.

Best-selling author and managing editor of Credenda/Agenda magazine, N.D. Wilson has penned a set of poetic meditations designed to encourage readers to live each day by viewing life through the lens of mortality. Thomas Nelson releases Death by Living: Life is Meant to be Spent this month in hardcover for $19.99. In the book, Wilson reminds readers to pause and remember that we are all authors of the books that will be our lives.

Charisma House releases Freedom From Depression: Emotional Healing Through Spiritual Health and Wholeness (softcover, $14.99) this month. Author Jenny Swindall writes from experience following her own battle with depression and the suicide of her brother. Reporting that 10% of Americans are on an anti-depressant, she offers a biblical plan based on two principles—ownership and abandonment—to bring emotional healing. Each chapter includes questions, prayers and assignments for application.

A call for compassion for the poor is the focus of Relentless: Pursuing a Life That Matters by Dave Donaldson and Terry Glaspey. Donaldson is co-founder of Convoy of Hope, an international relief agency. His book examines the problems faced by the poor and oppressed around the world and showcases examples of many Christians who have already accepted the task of caring for those in need. Influence Resources releases this title in softcover for $12.99 this month. 

Godonomics: How to Save our Country—and Protect Your Wallet—Through Biblical Principles of Finance by Chad Hovind releases this month from Multnomah Books (hardcover, $12.99). The author is pastor of the 2,000-member Horizon Community Church in Cincinnati and author of the Godonomics DVD series. While a left-leaning critique of America’s economic system is gaining in volume, Hovind offers a defense of capitalism by showing that, like America’s system of government, its economic system is also rooted in the Bible.

In Wounded Women of the Bible: Finding Hope When Life Hurts, Dena Dyer and Tina Samples use stories from wounded women in biblical and contemporary times to explore the emotions and hurts women of all ages share—and spotlight the healing only God can provide. Dyer is author of several books, including Mothers of the Bible, and Samples is a worship leader and devotional writer. This month Kregel Publications releases their book, which includes a Bible study guide, for $12.99 in softcover.

Screenwriter and TV producer Ron Austin recounts the three major threads of his life in Star Crossed: A Hollywood Love Story in Three Acts (softcover, $24). Releasing this month from Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., Austin’s memoir covers his early life and career in Hollywood working with stars such as Charlie Chaplin and Farrah Fawcett, his conversion at age 50 from atheism to Catholicism, with the support of his Jewish wife, and a discussion of how Jews and Catholics can find common ground. 

You Were Born for More: Six Steps to Breaking Through to Your Destiny by Bishop Harry R. Jackson Jr. outlines a six-step pathway to help believers draw on God’s mercy and grace to rise above their circumstances, discover their destiny and achieve lasting change. Jackson is pastor of Hope Christian Church, a 3,000-member congregation outside Washington, D.C. This month, Chosen Books (Baker Publishing Group) releases this softcover book for $13.99.