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!
I have very little Christian music because CD’s are always at the bottom of the budget priority list. I’d love it. Thanks for the offer.
I would love a CD!
I love “The Blessing.” I love it so much Chris and I had it put on our wedding cd, and we are having our children’s choir join our adult choir to sing it in service. I just think it is the most special song, and should I die before I wake, I want it at my funeral.
Count me in!
O, how I LOVE soakin in some good rockin -feel the SWEET HOLY SPIRIT kindof music to calm my stressed out – homeschoolin mama self, & the fact that it would be FREE, makes it all the more better!
I would love to win this CD. My van is where I listen to the most music and it has sort of become a santuary in a sense. Please enter me.
I’m so very glad you like music the way I do, friend! Praying for you and your things and stuff :)
Love,
Holly
Thanks! Sounds great!
Excellent Post!
Amy
Ok, me too! Even though I’m at the end of the list, maybe that ole’ random generator will find me.
Rhoda
sign me up!
I’d love to win – I feel the same way about music – I write my blog about hymns of the faith to encourage myself, and I hope, others too!
I am so out of it with music, unless you count all the veggietales CD’s then I know all the latest, so it would be nice to have something for mommy!
I would love to be entered! Thanks
Got to go to the Huntsville concert, it was an awesome time, but didn’t get a CD :-(
Put me in please- thanks!
Thanks for turning me on to Monk & Neagle- they rock!
I’d love the CD…hope I win!
I’m a lurker on your site, but love it. :o)
yes, please!
Pick me, please!!!
There’s a new saying these days in central Indiana….
~ we LOVE us some BooMama! ~
[ by the way. that CD? it wants to come to my house for the holidays. ]
300+ already? I appreciate your Christian music wisdom…even if you are old…(I’m pretty sure I’m older).
We love the same kind of music! Please include me in the drawing!
Kate in Mississippi
Sign me up!
I’d like a shot at it! If I’m not mistaken, I think he’s a Mississippi boy. :)
It looks like you had an awesome time together! I would love some free music…pick me!
Hope to win!! Thanks.
Thank you for the opportunity! We Love You BooMama!
“The Blessing” is my cell phone ring, but I don’t have the CD.
I’d love to have that CD!
I’d like one! :)
Sigh… so glad you had a great time. Really I am.
LOVE music! Count me in!
I’d love to check out his music!
OK, I must enter. I’ve not heard this music before, but it sounds like fun.
Always up for some christian music!
I would love to win! :)
I have seen Casting Crowns before and it’s JUST like you said…a total worship service!
although i think tend to think the random number generator has something against me :), having never won a single contest on any blog (not for lack of having entered)…please enter me.
Throw my name in the hat, please! Thanks!
TaunaLen
Although I am (as my kids say) way old, I still appreciate good music. Thanks for doing this.
You got me onto Monk & Neagle whom I adore and I just bought Mandisa’s most recent which is AWESOME!!
I’d love to be included. I try to listen to praise music as much as possible during the day. You are so right in saying that it does influence our thoughts and behaviors throughout the day.
I would LOVE to be entered in this drawing! Thank you!!!
I’m always up for some new Christian music!
You know, I completely agree with you. I have been listening to Christian music pretty much exclusively for at least 10 years, and it definitely helps with the thought life, and living life.
Casting Crowns is in our town this week and a couple of months ago, when I mentioned to a friend that they were coming, she said, “oh, I’ve already seen them”, WELL…so have I but the reason I love going to these concerts is that it is a GREAT time of worship!!!
I’d love to wim and hear this great CD. Thanks for offering it!
Would love to be in the drawing! Great CD offering. Glad the show was a blast!
Loved John Waller at the concert – hope I win ;-)
It’s so nice of you to share!
kellie
Come on, Random Number Generator! Pick me! PLEASE?
Hi Boo Mama!!
I have def. lurked on your blog for FORVER, but just thought I’d comment and say hello. Back in the day I saw that you wrote about Shane and Shane, and by golly, they are my favorite, but just forgot to comment!
Anyway, just commenting to see what will happen. I am always up for getting a new CD. Especially of artists I love! Because, I too, love christian music!!
Lindsee
I love Casting Crowns!!!
Always up for a great worship!
Kadi
I LOVE music!!
specially free music ;)
I must confess, I don’t have much Christian music in my music library so please count me in for your giveaway! Thanks! :)
I would love to win a CD. Thanks for doing this.
Tonya
Please enter my name into the drawing!! Thanks so much for the opportunity…
Holly
I always need more Christian music.
Please count me in! I was reading this posting on my iPhone and was just about to head over to iTunes to purchase the cd. Thankfully i continued reading. I’ll complete the purchase if the random number generator doesn’t go my way! Thanks for the music news.
I saw all of them a few weeks ago! It was the best worship service I have ever been in. :-) John Waller is the only CD I haven’t been able to get, yet. So, I sure hope I win one. :-)
I would love a CD!
Ok, one of these days I might actually win one of these give aways.
C’mon random number generator!!
I gotta try for some free music since we’re on a new budget diet and I can’t convince myself the music is more important than my Reader’s Digest addiction. And I *love* strong lyrics (see the Reader’s Digest thing above).
hmm, i hope the random number generator picks me! i really dig casting crowns and leeland, so i would be happy to add john waller to the list!
I’m so glad y’all had a good time at the concert – and I’m eager to hear new Christian music. :)
Thanks for another neat giveaway, BooMama!
Wow, just went and listened to John’s samples on his myspace. He is awesome!! Even if I don’t win, this will probably have to go on my ipod.
Thanks for the chance.
I love a simple contest. Count me in!
Heck yeah! I’d love me some Jesus music, too!
Oh, Random Dot Org…pick me!
You are so gracious to share your sweet memories of ya’ll’s visit AND the great God honoring music!!!
asdfghjkl
oikjhbgvcxz
0-p;’/
(You didn’t say what kind of comment.)
please oh please oh please!
Count me in!
Oh I just love me some good music.
I”m always in for more Christian music! Hey! — when’s the next podcast coming out?!
Your way with words can’t help but make me love it already! Hope I get to find out ;)
I tend to share your tastes in most things, so I’m sure I’d love this cd!
Hey Sophie! I am IN!! How fun, and thanks for sharing!! So glad you had a blast with Melanie and Shannon. Blessings, Kelly
Man! I’m at least number 378. I can still pray for it though, right. Ask and ye shall receive and all that.
I love Christian music too. It is mostly all I listen to, especially with the little ones in the car. And some of their favorite songs: Cartoons by Chris Rice and Undignified (AKA “The Jumping Song”) by David Crowder. I get to see him and his band next week! So excited!!!
Glad to hear you had such a great time at the concert. Thanks for the chance at a giveaway!
I somewhat consider myself to be on the “up and up” regarding christian music. I have not heard of John Waller. Thank you for the introduction! You are right”The Blessing” is powerful!…it reminds me of Nichole Nordeman’s “Legacy” another favorite. “Still Calls Me Son” is also amazing!
I am a lurker who is coming out of the closet for this one!
Count me in!!
Throw me in with the 300+ others!
I’d love some uplifting music for the car! Count me in! mlciavola@yahoo.com
Ooh! Ooh! Pick me! Pick me!
We went to their concert last month. It was phenomenal. And my sweet husband had puchased the tickets before we went to pick up child #5 and #6 to join our family (from Ethiopia). So, since this summer has been full of adjustments, it was so nice to get away. We also thought the two openers were great!
Sign me up! I’d love to win!!
Oh, may I win this is nothing else ever! Casting Crowns is SO my favorite christian band. What grammar!
Wow! Lots of people want to win this… Me too!!
I would so love it! I have almost worn my Monk and Neagle out!
A giveaway!! Hooray!! :)
I have bought all the other CD’s you’ve recommended, so maybe I’ll win this one!
I would LOVE to have one of those fabulous CDs. You can find me at daphy1717 at hotmail dot com.
Count me in!
i wana win ;)
xoxo melzie
Contemporary Christian music is my very favorite. I don’t have very good radio reception of the Christian station in my area, however. I’ve learned about a lot of great songs and musicians from your blog and purchased CD’s because of it. Thanks for the opportunity to hear some more great Christian music.
I love discovering new Christian music. I actually highlight Christian music every week on my blog on “Music Mondays”. Please count me in for the contest.
I don’t want the CD, I’m just commenting about the fact that you have THREE HUNDRED AND NINETY SEVEN COMMENTS ON THIS POST!
Did you just channel Pioneer Woman? Where did all of these Internets come from? I think that your header needs to be changed to “Read by HUNDREDS of people daily, ThankYouVeryMuch!”!
BTW, I’m still chuckling about the “Sugar Diabetes” conversation on that podcast.
I love music. . .period. But most of the music we listen to while we are home and in the car is Christian music. It puts a smile on my face when my daughter knows all the words to my CD’s and enjoys them too!
Thanks for the giveaway!
I love new music!
Great site!
Melissa
http://melissaneece.blogspot.com
(lots of pregnancy and natural living links)