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!
Yeah! I’d love to have this cd, I seem to have trouble keeping up with Christian music these days. I used to be all over it but now I seem to have lost touch.
I haven’t heard of John Waller before but I’d love to hear him and this would be a GREAT chance to do so! Thanks for the giveaway :)
Thank you so much for being so uplifting and I really hope I win :)
Take care
Roxanne
Awesome! Thanks for the giveaway.
Casting Crowns is so awesome. I don’t know much about John Waller, but I love all Christian music. Thanks for the blessing.
Wow….Does God ever hit you guys over the head with something or is it just me??? About a week ago he has really been dealing with me about my music choices. I read another blog entry about that subject on Beth Moore’s blog that totally confirmed to me to “clean up” the ipod! I also was at the Casting Crowns “worship service”! It was truly awesome. I have been finding all kinds of new music to fill up my ipod and God has really used that time to totally bless me, and remind me of His faithfulness. I had been holding this area of my life from Him, but oh how much sweeter when we give it all to Him!
Sorry for the “rant”! Just had to testify! :)
I am in need of some new Christian tunes, so count me in!!!
My ipod can never be too full! Thanks!
I keep losing my patience a lot lately…I need to listen to some Christian music loudly today. Sign me up for some more!
I’ve never heard Casting Crowns or even heard of them. But after your glowing review, I’m quite interested!
I would love it – we couldn’t afford to attend the concert when it came to our town, but I heard it was great also. Glad you 3 had such a great time!
I don’t think I’ve evern commented on your blog before, in fact, I don’t even remember how I got here, but I am now hooked. So, sign me up for some free music!
Oh yeah!! Count me in too!
I’d love to be included!! Thanks a ton!
I am new to the whole Christian music genre. What I have heard I love so I am always looking for ways to expand my collection! thank you!
Holy cow!! There is already over 200 comments!! Count me in.
Thanks for sharing ;)
Please enter me. Thanks!!
What a fun giveaway! I love music! Sara Groves is my favorite – if you haven’t heard her “station wagon songs for parents”
check it out. Sara seems to sing all those things that brew in the hearts of moms and girls following after Jesus everywhere. And she is a little bit sparkly. :)
Okay…wow, there’s already a lot of comments! But you never know, this could be my lucky week, so count me in for the giveaway!
Oh, yes ma’am, that sounds lovely. Thanks!
Woohoo, sign me up!!!
I haven’t commented before, but I have enjoyed lurking for a few months now, especially after I learned that we share a pretend-BFF in common (Christy Nockels). So we’re practically family, really. Anyway, I have been meaning to comment for some time, but commenting with a chance to win a free CD seemed like the perfect opportunity. So thanks for the laughs and the insights and the good stuff that you bring us every day!
I’m in!
We finally got a decent Christian radio station here and I love it! Count me in!
Thanks!
Another thing I’ve found I like to listen to is silence. When I find myself in the van alone (which is rare) silence can be golden!
But when not alone I’d sure like to listen to a new cd. = )
I need a little boost in the “up-to-date on any music” category! This would be great!
I know I’ll never win ;sigh; but put my name in the drawing anyway.
Thanks!
oh, pick me! I never win online freebies and Lord knows I could use some good Christian music influence especially during my lovely commute!
Count me in!
Feeling lucky today!
I’m all about some good Christian music! Keeps me right where I need to be. Thanks for the offer…maybe I’ll win :)
I finally bought the M&N album. I will never doubt your all-knowingness about music again. Sign me up!
I love that you felt you were at a worship service. I wonder if there is any greater compliment those guys could hear.
Add me to the drawing! I love me some Jesus music too!
Hi BooMama,
I don’t have a blog, but I read you faithfully everyday. And I just want to say, that there are days that what you “write” really speaks to me and I dare say is used to minister to me. So, don’t ever think that you are just a blogger with Tens of readers! Thank you for your dedication to the internets!
Anita
Oh, and I would love to win a CD. Have been trying to add some new music lately.
I’ve never really listened to Casting Crowns, but the way you go on, it must be great, so please sign me up. (BTW, LOVE your blog!)
(another) Heather
WOW – when there is a great giveaway we all start posting like crazy don’t we? Heck yeah! We know a good thing when we hear about it! COUNT ME IN!
Thanks!
Oh yes, please count me in!!
I also believe that listening to Christian music during the day can only lift you up.
I would love to be entered in this drawing!
I would love to win a copy! Thanks!
I really wanted to go to this concert, but the timing was not good for us. I really enjoy the Crowns, but I’m not familiar with John Waller. But if I win, I will be!
Amen Sister! He is might to save!
Bring it.
I completely understand about the Christian music thing. I am blessed enough to get to work at a Christian radio station. Definitely keeps things in perspective when you’re crabby on Monday morning!!
I’ve gone to a ton of concerts, both Christian and non and Bebo Norman stands out the most in my mind. He had finished his worship set and walked out to his R.V. The crowd was screaming for an encore. The tour manager ran out and was trying to get him to go back on stage. He yelled out of the R.V., “It’s not about me!” I love that heart.
You are so right about Christian music and driving. : )
And Christian music and anything really. It’s just a big huge blessing any and everywhere.
I’d love to be in your drawing!
Oh I would love to be in your drawing :)
Enter me for free music!! I actually got to lead worship with “Mighty to Save” a couple weeks ago… love it!
Oh wow, you speak such truth! I would love to listen! Thank you!
I already have the John Waller CD, so please offer to someone else if I happen to somehow miraculously come up on the Trusty Random Dot Org. But I had to comment about “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” Oh, the difficulties of remaining in a state of insanity when you have the ole trusty “Awesome God” blaring over the child screaming “YOU’RE NOT MY BEST FRIEND” in the backseat of the almost-coming-to-a-halt-because-I’ve-got-to-relieve-my-ears vehicle. And the screaming ends, silence, deep breath and singing as a little angel glorifying God! Now, isn’t that why the creative artist abilities of the Christian industry leaders invented the Christian music outlet-for us mom’s that need the sanity break?!! Praise His Name for knowing that our generation needed the relief and reminder to “praise Him in the storm”!
I love what you said about While I’m Waiting, struck a chord with me. And also the driving part, it really is difficult to yell at people when you are singing about God’s goodness and love. I would love to win this CD. Thank you.
The commenters…they have come out of the proverbial woodwork…who knew???? Thanks for the give-away.
I totally need more christian music. I love it, I just can’t afford any new music right now.
Can I just tell you how much I love Casting Crowns? Oh. My. Gosh.
Please enter me in your drawing. I won’t win but I love reading your blog nonetheless.
Blessings stranger-friend!
free music? count me in!
Oh how I would love to win this one too!
Please sign me up. Thanks!
hello! i love listening to christian music. i popped in one of my old high school indigo girls CDs and the first song was “strange fire”…well, what in the world? i have been studying Beth moore’s “a womans heart” right at the exact time aaron’s sons were consumed for offering “strange fire” at the altar of incense. wellio…if that didn’t confirm my need to focus on listening to scripture set to music (love the “glory revealed” CD)!
I just found your blog yesterday! You make me laugh. You’re just like an old friend that I just don’t happen to know, yet. Actually, you remind me a lot of my friend, Jamie, who is a pastor’s wife and she is just hilarious. Sings, too.
Anyway, today’s my 9th anniversary to the most awesome bass playing, worship song singin’ man in the world…so I should probably get going.
Have a wonderful, sunny day!
Oh, yes please- count me in!!
I love Christian music and I love randomly generated numbers! This giveaway has it all!
OH!!!!!!!!!!!Count me IN!!!!
I’d love to win. Thanks!
LOVE FREE music :)
I would love some new music. Please pick me!
That was beautiful to hear about your worship experience with CC. Rock on!
You probably won’t even get a change to read this comment, as you have so many commenting to win the CD. While I would love to win it, what I really wanted to know how was Leland? I love and adore their song “Tears of the Saints”, and I heard the lead singer was really young. So, if you do read this and are able, please respond to my questions. As always, you are the funniest and best! blessings.
Listening to HIS Radio as I type this. Please, sign me up!
Glad y’all had a good time. Thanks for sharing your experiences and thanks for sharing this music with us!
Hopefully I’ll soon be wallering in some great music!
Thanks SO MUCH for the chance to win!!!
Chris
I never win anything, but as a new blogger I am enjoying your site.
Oooooooo . . . Pick me! Pick me!
I could use some encouraging, beautiful, God-saturated music right now… would love a CD, please.
pick me! pick me! Sounds great, thanks:)
I’m in…you are so right about the concert being a worship service…I have found that the best concerts I have ever been to are about HIM and not them. That’s why I am so ready for David Crowder and Casting Crowns to be here in GA :o)
Oh my, look at all the entries! It took a looooong time to scroll all the way down here! LOL! Please add me to the masses.
luvs me some JESUS music, too!
Music? Jesus? Free? Count me in!
Any song worth it’s own post sounds like a song I want to hear!
I would love to win the CD!
I too went to a Casting Crowns “worship service” and LOVED it!
I switched over to listening to almost 100% Christian music about 10 years ago when my 2 year old asked me about the lyrics to a raunch country song I was listening to.
I love it because it helps me to refocus my day on Christ.
Thanks!
How I love me my Jesus music! And I’d love to be able to listen to this cd and have even more Jesus music to sing at the top of my lungs to!
I! WOULD! LOVE! IT!
Because of you…this “old lady” ahem, has now added Monk and Neagle to my wish list. I would love to win a copy of this cd!
Ooops! I just realized I had the wrong email address in the last comment…I updated it this time. Sorry!
I love your music recommendations! Thank you for being such a positive influence.
I would really enjoy some great music.
Thanks Sophie!
You totally rock!
Wow! How do you read all these comments? Amazing. Anyway, I’m one who has fallen out of step with my faith so to speak, but I’m working on it. I read your blog and it encourages me, makes me laugh, and makes me miss that connection I used to have. I’m involved in a lot of stuff maybe I shouldn’t be, but can’t let go. As you say… that’s another story. But the way you talk about this music has me really interested… the last time I listened was a long time ago. I’d be interested in giving the CD a try for sure. This is getting long… CD or not, your blog is very encouraging to me. Thanks for taking the time to share.
I can’t think of anything clever to write, except that I really want to win a copy of this CD. Thanks for the giveaway!
I’ve never heard The Blessing until today–awesome song!
Count me in! I need some new music
I would love to win! Sign me up!
Sarah, TN
Pick me oh random number picker thingie. Pick me!
Holy comments, batman! I gues that’s how you know you’ve got a great giveaway! I don’t usually sign up for giveaways because I’m one of those people who never win, but I had to comment on all the comments. When i started it said 291! Way to go! You are a joy to read! And who knows, maybe this time I’ll actually win something!
To God Be The Glory!!
Love ya BooMama!!
Thanks.
Well, I don’t suppose I’ll be blessed enough to win twice in a row, but you just never know so I’m gonna try again anyway!!!!! : ) (Though I’d have to talk myself out of feeling guilty if I won…)
I actually went to the store a couple of days ago and bought a Casting Crowns’ new CD. Love it! Thank you for recommending them on your blog.
Oh, and count me in for a giveaway! :)
Just found your blog a few days ago, and I sure am glad I did…. sign me up for the contest, please! I love our Christian radio station where I live, but I don’t have much of a collection of my own. Thanks!
I totally bombed on the Fall Y’all Giveaway, so I’m trying this one. Please don’t let the name of my blog fool ya…it’s BibleStyle, and no other style. I promise! And if I’m lying then maybe this CD will save me. You win either way!