Welcome! If this is your first time visiting, you might want to start here. Thank you for stopping by! This is a work in progress, so please pardon any hiccups you might experience!
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Two things before we dive into today’s post….First, thank you, thank you, thank you to those of you who left me comments yesterday! I can’t tell you how it blessed me, made me smile, and humbled me. I am so grateful! Please keep ‘em coming because I love knowing who is reading and I want to serve you better!
Second, I HAVE to tell you that I heard from so many people about how funny Tara was in our video yesterday. When I talked to my MIL on the phone yesterday afternoon, she could barely speak because she was laughing so hard about Tara and her performance. It also provided evening entertainment for them when my FIL got home, and for us when Blane got home, as he’d not seen the video yet. What can I say, my child likes seeing herself on camera. While recording, I tried my hardest to look only at the camera, because I knew I’d lose it (laughing) otherwise.
I needed to get work done in the kitchen one day when Brant was an infant and I knew just what to do… I turned on my webcam and let her watch herself (while I recorded) for about 10-15 minutes. Maybe I’ll post that one sometime, we can’t watch it without it ending in hysterics. 
Alright, on to inspiring music…
I love music. I have often wished I had a beautiful singing voice or awesome guitar-playing skills with which to worship the Lord. There is something about expressing myself through singing, playing an instrument (which I haven’t done in years), and dancing that allows me to respond to the Lord with unreserved freedom. Music inspires me, does it you? I believe it also blesses God. Perhaps that’s why David talks about singing, dancing, and making music in the Psalms and why the Israelites in general were “charismatic” people (they danced and sang a lot!).
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We were created to worship Him, and while we should be doing this with every single breath and action in this life, there is something sweet about using our voices and bodies in the form of dance to worship Him…in a manner that is pleasing to Him. And what a blessing that God has given us people within the body of Christ who have voices and giftings with instruments that help us see the beauty of Jesus, what He has done and is doing for us!
I am always looking for music that will turn my gaze toward the Savior, so I thought I’d share some (not all, I have way too many!) of my favorite artists, songs, and albums that inspire me and give two of them away! Click on the links to hear song samples!
Watermark – A Grateful People
Sovereign Grace Ministries. There is so much wonderful music, but I’d recommend starting with Come Weary Saints, Upward: The Bob Kauflin Hyms Project, and Songs for the Cross-Centered Life. And Tara’s favorite is Awesome God.
Misty Edwards. Particularly the albums Relentless
David Tolk, Grace
Cory Asbury. Let Me See Your Eyes
Phillips, Craig & Dean. Revelation Song
Phillips, Craig & Dean. Your Name
Sherri Youngward. Scripture Songs: Volume One
Jars of Clay. Love Song For A Savior
Paul Baloche. Almighty, Glorious
Today I’d like to giveaway Sherri Youngward’s Scripture Songs: Volume One
Thank you so much for starting this blog – as a working mom and wife it is very hard to be involved at this stage of life in a women’s group like I have been in the past. I am looking forward to learning with you and growing in the Lord with all the women who read this blog. I thank God for your leadership in starting this blog and look forward to what He has in store! I would love either CD if I win. (BTW your kids are adorable!)
Great songs and artists! I’m sure you just didn’t list him, but Steven Curtis Chapman is one of my favorites… and hearing him speak is empowering too- his wife has started to talk during his concerts as well and I think his son has started a band as well recently… I think you were the one who turned me on to Sovreign Grace Ministries awhile back- great as well! I am all for crankin’ up the worship cds to clean… or my FAVORITE thing to do is go for a run to it… I sometimes have to keep myself from stopping and throwing my hands up in the air for an all-out worship session (however, that might just be a great way to witness on post!)
Thanks for sharing Kelly!
I would LOVE the Awesome God for Kids! So would my kiddos!!!
Thanks for sending this, Kelly. I enjoyed reading your blog. Tara must have great entertainment ability. I also love beautiful music. Thanks for giving me some ideas of great songs.
Kristen! Thank you so much for stopping by. We are closer to your neck of the woods these days. Thank you so much for your kind and encouraging words. I hope that you’ll be encouraged!
Yes, I DO love SCC. I was trying my hardest to think through what I listen to, and I’m sure I’ll be updating (I already have some!). Yes, so many of these fuel my runs. And girl, you let those soldiers wives look at you like your crazy with your hands in the air!
Thanks for stopping in, Peggy! Tara has an *uncanny* ability to entertain…herself (and the rest of us in the process!).
Amazingly providential! I am looking for some new tunes for my little ones that encourages their hearts toward Jesus. We have worn out our Judy Rogers’ music these days, and I have been looking for new ideas, so I’m happy that I stopped in here tonight. Either would be great, though John-Mark would probably prefer a kid cd!
Kelly,
I was just thinking this morning about how much we gain from listening to and participating in praise through music. I have two high school children now and I noticed that every time I am driving around the school they attend my radio (always tuned to KLOVE) starts fading in and out. It makes me think about the battles we all face daily and what struggles are going on inside that building. What a blessing it is to know that my children, and those that ride with us, get to hear the word of God through music just before entering “the lion’s den” each morning.
Thank you for the blog. It is a huge answer to prayer for me. Also, I always love hearing your thoughts. What a blessing!
I enjoy singing to the Lord, too, though my voice is more of a “joyful noise” than musical LOL!
There is nothing better than uplifting praise and worship music to bring our focus back to Him in the midst of a crazy day! I enjoyed reading your suggestions, as I sometimes find myself stuck in a rut listening to the same CDs over and over (albeit a good one as I enjoy the artists to whom I listen). I enjoy some of the same ones you have mentioned, though I am not familiar with Sherri Youngward, so I would be interested in hearing her.
Thank you for sharing your list. I listen to a christian station on the radio here, but always looking for more music to add to my list. There is so much more than just whats on the radio. I would be interested in either cd. Thanks again for your time & your obedience to the Lord!
That’s SO Interesting that I saw this before the deadline tonight! I’ve been mentioning to my husband how badly we need some Scripture songs, and lo and behold, you’re giving some away! We would love to win some Scripture songs- what a help to bind them on our heads and write them on our hearts!
just want to say thanks for starting this blog… i look forward to how this community will spur one another on toward love and good deeds. thanks for being obedient to what you feel the Lord has put on your heart… i have recently moved out of the country to do missions work and am loving the opportunity to be a part of an online community of believers who speak my language
anyways, i have been asking the Lord to give me a deeper passion for the Word lately, so I would totally be interested in that CD. Do you know if it’s available on iTunes? Thanks for all you do in obedience to the Lord… so cool to see how functioning as the body can look. Tchau!
Thanks for stopping by, Shannon! Yes, I believe either of these are available on itunes, but I’m not positive. I hope we will accomplish the goal of spurring one another on and encouraging one another. You all have already done so much for me.