(For your listening pleasure, this blog post contains a stream of a radio rip of Carrie Underwood’s So Small, off the upcoming Carrie Underwood sophomore album, Carnival Ride. GannsDeen.com does not offer Carrie Underwood mp3’s for download. If you like what you hear, please leave a comment in the Comments box. Come back to GannsDeen.com for the latest and best in Christian, country, and pop music.) American Idol Season 4 and Grammy...

Today marks one week since my beautiful Filipina wife, Cathy, left for Malaysia to present a research paper at an international conference for educators. Cathy Midel Deen is the Admissions Director of DLS-College of Saint Benilde, a position for which she is a perfect fit as an independent, intelligent Filipina woman, and she’s done absolute wonders since she stepped into the rather large shoes left by the retirement of the fiercely...

(Listen to God Speaking by Mandisa, off the amazing Mandisa debut album True Beauty. GannsDeen.com does not offer Mandisa mp3’s for download, and encourages you to purchase God Speaking or the album, True Beauty, from your favorite online or offline record store. If you like what you hear, please leave a comment in the Comments box. Please come back to GannsDeen.com for the latest and best in Christian, country, and pop music.) God...

Jody McBrayer has left Avalon. His disease has spread. I’m having trouble dealing with this. I’m a total mess. I’m tearing up in front of my computer. I want to shout prayers. Supplications. “Lord, HEALING! Heal your faithful servant! In Jesus’ name!” I want to beg, on my knees, praying for healing for Jody. As if he were my own flesh and blood. And frankly, the way his music has helped me through much...

I stumbled onto the official website of the Trattoria Acqua, a lovely restaurant known for San Diego romantic dining. As I reviewed the website of this California restaurant offering Italian coastal cuisine, I remarked to myself: This would be a hit in Tagaytay! Think about it. Their specialty is a spectacular Osso Buco alla Pugliese, a pasta dish that features a veal shank braised in garlic, tomatoes, capers, and olives, undoubtedly perfect for...