Casting Crowns “Thrive” Album Review

I received a copy of this CD from Family Christian  in order to facilitate my review.  
The opinions in this post were my own and were not influenced by any other parties.

Would anyone actually say out loud that they have a “brown thumb”?

I have never heard anyone except myself mutter those exact words whilst holding a colourfully decorated pot housing a very dead plant.

I  killed my very first plant and I accept full responsibility for not getting a “plant sitter” while I was out of town.  

Seriously, it was a week and I know I watered that plant before I left…at least I think I did.  

Anyways, that’s not the point.

Let ‘s just pretend just for a moment that I have a green thumb for comparison sake.

As I shared before I spent this summer gleefully playing in a small patch dirt right outside my front door.

We frequented greenhouses.  I was down on my hands and knees planting, weeding, watering and deadheading flowers carefully tending to my little flower garden knowing that all my hard work would help my garden to flourish and thrive.

Enjoying each and every second because I knew that all too soon the delicate petals will fade, and the leaves would scatter and dance in the wind.

But, that was the farthest thought from my mind.

I never gave a second thought to what I couldn’t see beneath my feet either.  Spiders and worms don’t bother me if they are setting up camp in the garden but in the house…that’s another story.

 I also forgot about the roots.  Sure, I watered and fertilized but only time will tell if I nurtured them properly.

Our walk with God is a lot  like that too.  I admit, my  “ah-ha” moment was really inspired by Casting Crowns powerful new song, Thrive. The lyrics call us us to do more than live — but to thrive — like a tree planted by a rushing river, whose roots go down deep so that life can grow high to the heavens.

Psalm 1: 1- 3 NIV

¹ Blessed is the one
    who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
    or sit in the company of mockers,
² but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and who meditates on his law day and night.
³ That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
    which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
    whatever they do prospers.

Thriving is really the result of something else — something that has to happen first — the growth process. In order for  to something “to produce,” it must first be cultivated and carefully tended to just like my  little flower garden.

It must be set in the right environment and nurtured purposefully.

As a believer to thrive  is to dig in and dig deep and reach out…  and I want my roots to grow down deep. 

 I have been a big fan of Casting Crowns since their debut album as they are by far one of my favourite Christian group out there. “Lifesong” have always been my favourite Casting Crowns album…with “Thrive” now ranking right up there. 

I listened to the entire album first on youtube because well, I grew up in the 80’s and if you want to know what a song is about you watched the video!  {thank you Much Music}

Sometimes you get a clearer understanding to the message while watching the images.

I have really enjoyed listening to this new album! There are more low-key, relaxing songs on this album.

It is different from most of their other albums, but it really does stand on it’s own two feet.

Even if it doesn’t appeal to every person as a whole, I would say there is at least one song for everyone.

This is the first collection of songs that I would say aims for the heart.

The CD Includes 12 new songs: Thrive, All You’ve Ever Wanted, Just Be Held, You Are the Only One, Broken Together, Love You With the Truth, This Is Now, Dream For You, Follow Me, Heroes, House of Their Dreams, Waiting on the Night to Fall

Click here to get your own copy of “Thrive”

The songs are about truth, love, grace, mercy, forgiveness and what it means to live—to thrive—in the fullness of Christ. 

Seriously, where ever you are in your walk with God, Even if your not walking with God and you are wondering if this God stuff is  “even for you” he will meet you in the lyrics of these songs. 

There is something for everyone on this album plus Casting Crowns went a step further and connected those twelve new songs to the  “Thrive {book}” which shows seekers how to take those first steps. 

“Mark Hall explores the two sides of our faith– the roots that help us grow deep and the trunk and branches that are the fruit and working out of all that God does inside us — and gives us steps and inspiration for growth in every area.”- “Thrive {book}”

This is the time to dig deeper, stretch higher as God cares for, prunes, protects, nourishes our souls to life…and our hearts to thrive. 

He wants to love you with the truth.