Dena Ross: August 2007 Archives

Watch a video clip from "10 Questions for the Dalai Lama," a new documentary by filmmaker Rick Ray, opening August 31. Ray traveled to India to interview His Holiness, only to find out he didn't have an interview scheduled. Ray later sent him an email (yes, the Dalai Lama has Internet access), and was granted a 45-minute interview to ask 10 questions--provided that the questions were sincere and serious. In this clip, the Dalai Lama talks about whether a society must give up its traditions to move into the future.

What questions would you ask the Dalai Lama if you had the chance?

One of the year's most anticipated Christian albums is set to hit stores August 28th--"The Altar and the Door"--by top-selling worship band, Casting Crowns.

Beliefnet has five autographed copies of the album to give away. To enter, just post a comment below by August 30, 2007, telling us how you try to stay on a Christian path. Make sure to include your email address in the designated area (don't worry, it won't be made public). The most original responses--based on the judgment of Idol Chatter's editors--wins. Have fun with it. Be creative, and the CDs could be yours. We'll notify the winner by email.

Casting Crowns, who Beliefnet recently named one of the "Top Christian Music Stars," use their experience as music ministers as fodder for many of their songs, and in particular this album. In describing "The Altar and the Door," lead singer Mark Hall says, "At the altar, everything makes sense, and when we're in the church and spending time with God, we know what we're supposed to do and how to live. But somewhere between the altar and the door, when we leave and go out into our lives, it all leaks out. The Christian life is the journey between the altar and door."

To listen to "East to West" off of the new album, click here.

For the legal stuff, please click here.

Popular Christian group Shane & Shane—comprised of friends Shane Barnard and Shane Everett—has been bringing a hip, acoustic, pop-rock sound to praise music for 10 years, headlining shows with big-names Mat Kearney, David Crowder Band, and Bethany Dillon, among others. Their first album in nearly three years, "Pages" is set for release August 28th and they begin touring with popular Christian artist Bebo Norman next week. Watch a video clip of the artists talking about life on the road, and a performance of their new song "Vision of You."

And, as an extra treat, Beliefnet has an autographed collection of Shane & Shane albums to give away.

To enter the contest, post a comment below by August 28, 2007, telling us why you love the band. Make sure to include your email address in the designated area (don't worry, it won't be made public). The most original response--based on the judgment of Idol Chatter's editors--wins. Have fun with it, be creative, and the CDs could be yours. We'll notify the winner by email.

And now, the legal mombo jumbo: for complete rules and regulations, please click here.

UPDATE: Congratulations to Michelle D. from Springfield, MO. for her winning entry. She wrote, "By having access to [Shane and Shane's] music, it helped me make it through a very hard time of depression and homesickness, as I was spending time doing missions work in another country. When I came back to the states, the same ministry to my spirit continued as a result of the music from these guys. It helped me to make it through the transition back to what most people think of as the 'normal' world because of how it helped me to focus on the right things--God and His thoughts--not me and my thoughts."

Here at Beliefnet, everyone loves angels. We even have an entire section of the site devoted to them. I think angels are great and all, but as with anything, sometimes you just want to get away from the stuff that you work with all day long. I'm sure at the end of the day bakers hate cake, painters hate paint, and teachers hate kids (just kidding!). But I'm finding that I can't get away from the subject of angels, even when I'm not at work.

I recently scrolled through my iPod and realized that I own an abnormally high number of songs with the word "angel" in the title. So, do musicians love angels just as much as Beliefnet readers? Or is it a sign that angels are with me wherever I go? Hmmm ...

Anyway, here are my top 10 favorite songs that have "angel" in the title:

10. "Angel," by Shaggy
So, it doesn’t have the most intelligent lyrics in the world (Girl, you're my angel, you're my darling angel/Closer than my peeps you are to me, baby/Shorty, you're my angel, you're my darling angel … ), but it does have a fun beat and flow, which makes it a nice party staple.

9. "Earth Angel," by The Penguins
This oldie-but-a-goodie has been covered by so many artists over the past 50 years for a reason.

8. "Angel," by Madonna
I remember as a little girl, putting on my cassette tape to sing along to this pretty song by the pop princess---and then promptly being scolded by my mom for singing along to the album's next track, "Like a Virgin."

7. "Angel" by Aerosmith
Steven Tyler's pained vocals and beautiful guitar work by Joe Perry make this song one of my favorites from this legendary rock band.

6."Angel" by Sarah McLachlan
McLachlan's ethereal voice on this track uplifts my soul.