A few weeks ago someone mentioned that I seem to stay pretty up-to-date with Christian music, and she went on to ask me how I manage to keep up with all the new music when, after all, I’m old.
OH, she didn’t really say that last part.
But it would have totally rocked if she had.
And the answer is that I stay up-to-date with Christian music because I love it. Plus, I realized a few years ago that something as simple as listening to Christian music throughout the day – whether it’s on my iPod or in the car – really impacts my thought life, my patience and my perspective. It’s pretty difficult to get bent out of shape in traffic and then scream a series of, um, colorful adjectives when you’re singing “Savior, He can move the mountains / My God is mighty to save / He is mighty to save” at the top of your lungs.
I’m just sayin’.
ANYWAY, the bottom line is that Christian music – whether it’s an old hymn like “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” or a song that’s a little newer – has been a tremendous source of encouragement to me.
Which leads me to this past Friday night.
A couple of months ago my friend Brian at Provident Music asked if Melanie, Shannon and I would be interested in doing sort of a “girls’ night out” for a Casting Crowns show here in this lovely city where I live. The three of us were immediately all over the idea – because in addition to really, really wanting to see each other, we really, really wanted to see Casting Crowns.
And that is how our get-together this past weekend came to pass (thanks, Provident! thanks, Casting Crowns!).
But it actually occurred to me Friday night that we weren’t at a Casting Crowns “show” at all. We were in a worship service, and it just so happened that our worship leaders were John Waller, Leeland, and Casting Crowns. There was no flashiness, no self-aggrandizement, no self-righteousness – just some talented musicians who were doing their very best to get out of the way and give God all the glory.
At the end of the night, when the girls and I were talking about the show, Shannon mentioned how great the lyrics to John Waller’s song “The Blessing” are. And she was so right. In fact, I’m sitting here listening to his CD right now, and I think I’m going to put it on repeat – the lyrics are strong. And there’s a song called “While I’m Waiting” that’s REALLY speaking to me right now, but we won’t get into all my waiting on all the stuff related to all the things, because that is another story for another time.
And besides, the bottom line is that I really want to share some of this John Waller musical goodness with y’all.
So here’s the deal: I have ten copies of John Waller’s CD. And if you’d like to have a chance to win one of them, all you have to do is to leave a comment on this post.
HOW SIMPLE IS THAT?
IT IS SO SIMPLE.
I’ll close comments (and the giveaway) this Friday around 9 AM and then use Ye Olde Trusty Random Dot Org to select the winners.
Happy Giveaway, y’all!
My kiddos (ages 4 & 6) and I love listening to Monk & Neagle after your raves about them, so I would love to hear this CD! Glad you had such a great time this weekend!
I’d love a chance to win. I agree — the impact that good music has on my thought life is amazing. Thanks for the giveaway.
I LOVE Casting Crowns so I bet I would love John Waller’s CD….Count me in and I hope I win.
Count me in!
Me! Me! Me!
May Ye Olde Random Dot Org pick me!
Just when I thought I was all give-awayed out….yeah, I’m not. Go figure. I love winning music…or anything for that matter :) thank you!
Signing up right and now and heading over to Itunes! (I won the Mandisa CD and I love it, Thank you!)
Count me in! Thanks :)
My fingers are crossed.
I would love to win a John Waller CD.
Thanks for giving us all a chance.
Here’s to hoping……
Lois
I would love to have that CD!
I listened to “The Blessing” yesterday on Shannon’s blog. I loved it! Count me in!
Pick me, Pick me!!!
Kelly Anne
Count me in!
I would love to win some give God the glory music!
Pick me!! Pick me!!
I totally agree with you about the music affects your thinking. I just recently had a conversation about that very same thing with a dear friend. Thanks for backing me up on that one! ;)
Anyway, I love me some Christian music and would love to be one of the lucky recipients of said music!!!
Thanks and have a lovely day!!!
How truly wonderful!
Amy :)
OH, I’d love a copy.
I found your site via Dawn’s podcast. I’m looking forward to reading it…and now I’m heading to iTunes to find your podcast.
Blessings to you,
Kris in NH :)
Oh cool! I want some new music, but I”m afraid to waste money on a cd I won’t like. I’m a little bit of a weenie like that. Thanks for entering me in a contest to win some!
Almost too simple!!!
I love me some Jesus music too!
Laura
I was one of the lucky five to win a Casting Crowns CD from Shannon. I’d like to come full circle and win this one from you! :)
I would absolutely love some free, awesome Christian music! I love all the music you recommend and can’t afford to purchase any of it right now! Please, oh, please, let me win some!!!!! :)
After all the talk you girls have been doing about the music this past weekend, suffice it to say my interest is piqued! Please count me in!
I LOVE the worship song “Mighty to Save!” We have just recently started singing it in my church. I have an almost-four-month-old daughter, and prior to her arrival, my husband and I were pretty relaxed about the music that we listened to, but now that she’s here, we have chosen to limit our music intake to that which glorified HIM only! We only want her little ears to know about our Jesus!
Pick me!!!
Oh, how I love me some good Christian music.
I also love simple.
Thanks for staying current with Christian music and sharing it with your readers. I have said to my husband that I hope I never get too old to appreciate new music, even listening to it when I’m old!
I absolutely love your review on musics!!
I loved Glory Revealed and everything else you have ever recommended. So please… one for me!!!
Would love, love a new cd. Thanks.
I would totally love to have the CD. And I completely agree on the listening to Christian music ideas. I have seen my faith and life grow in amazing ways since I started listening to Christian music. Someone I don’t know well commented the other day that everytime they see me driving I’m smiling and singing.:)
I want one! I went to college with John and remember him playing at our Campus Outreach meetings. He was awesome then!
Sign me up too!
Yipee!! John Waller!! Pick me, pick ME!
Count me in please, I love me some Jesus music too!
I’ve been looking for new music to add to my IPOD shuffle. Sign me up!
Sounds great! sign me up
Loving the idea of free music. I’m in!
pick me!
I would love to be entered please!
Thanks for your great information and giveaways! Please include me!
ooooh i am ALL about some music. sign me up. :)
Please enter me into the drawing :)
Please enter my name. Thanks!
I’m in! Thanks!
Put me on the list, please!
Sophie,
My hubby and I were also at the concert and you are right it was an amazing time of praise and worship. I am still glowing from the powerful God encounter :)
We had to drive 3 hours plus from our little city in Ga so we missed the 2 opening acts – I was so sad but I would love a copy of the CD.
God bless,
Kim
Pick me, pick me!!!
Thanks.
thanks for the opportunity
I would love to win the CD!
I need new worship tunes! :)
Oh random number generator please be kind to me….please pick me!! Thank you!!
I would LOVE this CD… plus, I could use something to tone down the,well, as you put it, “colorful adj’s” in the car. JUST KIDDING! I can’t talk like that. There’s a 2yr old parrot in my car!
Please add me in!
Sounds great! I’d love a copy!
me too! haven’t heard him yet but this sounds great. thanks!!
Sign me up. THANKS!!!
I LOVE Casting Crowns! Count me in! :o)
I can’t wait to hear the John Waller CD! I love the blog site.
LOVE Casting Crowns and LOVE music, LOVE to win this. :)
Kelly in Michigan
I’d love to be entered. I need some new encouraging music right now!
I would love that CD. You’re right about the Christian music in traffic, too. I need to get back to doing that.
that would be great! haven’t heard of him…
If you 3 like it, I am sure I will too.
Please include me in the running!
Thanks!
please please enter me!
I would love to win this CD, it sounds fantastic.
Ooooh thank you, thank you!! I’d love to win a copy!
I like to listen to worship CDs while I’m jogging. It gives me something other than the pain to think about!
Thanks!
Although I’ve rarely in my life won ANYTHING…you’re bringing me out of lurkdom. :) Sign me up!
You’re right about the worship music in traffic. It also helps to have a Jesus fish on the back of your car. Kinda holds you accountable!
Thanks, Sophie! This is great, and I’d love to win, as well as being included in that whole girly get together thingy next time. I’d drive the whole way to see you : )
Yeah! Free christian music! It’s what helps me get through the day, too.
I couldn’t agree with you more re: the difference Christian music makes in my daily life.
Enter me. Enter me! :-)
Come on Random Number Generator! This is our time!
And thanks!
Emily
I want to win!!
My Husband & I are singing “East to West” in worship services this Sunday morning. And John Waller’s “The Blessing” makes this Southern Baptist girl want to raise a hand!
Take that you random number machine!
*hugs*
I never win anything but I wanted to say thanks for giving these CDs away. You’re right about the Christian music…and Casting Crowns is awesome!
I could use some new music! Count me in, please! :)
I’m going to go look up the ‘waiting’ song…we are currently waiting on a transplant for our 1 yr old son, so I would love to hear the message in this song!
Thanks for the giveaway! :)
Oh, I’m so not current with music! I think it has something to do with all the Veggietales and kid’s praise cd’s…
Thanks for sharing! I’d love to win.
Hand up high, wagging like crazzzzy! Pick ME please!
“Shine your light and…let the whole world see…all the glory…of the risen King!”
I think that is possibly my favorite worship song right now. Love it!
Yeah! A give away, count me in! I’d love to get the John Waller CD!
What a WONDERFUL time it sounds like you had. I’ve followed you on Big and Rocks blog this weekend and I must say I am jealous. I would love to win the CD!!!
Bits!
I love me some Jesus music, too. Some dear friends of mine went to a Casting Crowns concert the weekend before you did (and in a city close by, too), and they LOVED them. They couldn’t say enough good about the concert. I’d love to share in that concert goodness!
Count me in!
Sign me up! I’d love to win this! Thanks for doing this giveaway!
I’d love to have the CD. Thanks.
[former English major looking up the word aggrandizement…*blush*] ;-)
Oooh, oooh! I’d love to have some new music! My boys want to hear ‘the song about the astronauts’ off an old FFH album a lot, and while it is very cute, we need some new tunes for the mix.
misslisslee
I’m still getting over the jealousy of your night with Casting Crowns, but I guess a great music giveaway will keep you in my good graces! Thanks for the chance to win! Keeping my fingers crossed….
I have never heard of his music but love christian music and love Casting Crowns! Thanks for this opportunity!
Rebecca
Count me in please!! :)
I love his sound!! What a wonderful giveaway. Casting Crowns is one of my favorite bands – their lyrics really hit you deep down.
Sign me up!
This would be so cool to win! Pick me!