I'm a musician - piano, clarinet, vocal - although I'm not overly talented in either of those three "instruments" because I haven't found much time to practice either of them since we began to educate our children at home eight years ago.
One of the pitfalls of being a musician is that the ear can be overly critical of what is heard during worship services and when listening to music being performed.
I really had a struggle with worshiping to music in the past that wasn't high quality. I know that the musicians had a deep love for God, and they were serving with their whole being by seeing and playing instruments for God's glory. I'm so thankful that they were willing! But when notes were frequently played wrong, voices and instruments were out of tune, or the rhythms just weren't "together", I am ashamed to admit that I struggled with keeping my focus on worshiping. Instead, I found it much easier to focus on the "errors" of the musicians. No matter how hard I prayed and also tried to focus on worshiping God, I struggled with this.
Thankfully, for the last 22 years, I've been blessed to attend a church where musical errors aren't all that common, or at least don't stand out as much. And I think I've developed more self-control in this area, with the Lord's help. Now, instead of having a critical spirit about the type of music being played, or the manner in which it is played, I can truly have a smile on my face and simply worship and praise God. This is all God's doing, as I know I couldn't have made the changes on my own!
This weekend, I received a brand new CD by Rebecca St. James in the mail. I've enjoyed Rebecca St. James' music in the past, but our family isn't the type to regularly purchase audio CDs. Besides a few Christmas music CDs over the last few years, I can't think of any other audio CDs we've purchased except for some audio stories for the girls.
One of the pitfalls of being a musician is that the ear can be overly critical of what is heard during worship services and when listening to music being performed.
I really had a struggle with worshiping to music in the past that wasn't high quality. I know that the musicians had a deep love for God, and they were serving with their whole being by seeing and playing instruments for God's glory. I'm so thankful that they were willing! But when notes were frequently played wrong, voices and instruments were out of tune, or the rhythms just weren't "together", I am ashamed to admit that I struggled with keeping my focus on worshiping. Instead, I found it much easier to focus on the "errors" of the musicians. No matter how hard I prayed and also tried to focus on worshiping God, I struggled with this.
Thankfully, for the last 22 years, I've been blessed to attend a church where musical errors aren't all that common, or at least don't stand out as much. And I think I've developed more self-control in this area, with the Lord's help. Now, instead of having a critical spirit about the type of music being played, or the manner in which it is played, I can truly have a smile on my face and simply worship and praise God. This is all God's doing, as I know I couldn't have made the changes on my own!
This weekend, I received a brand new CD by Rebecca St. James in the mail. I've enjoyed Rebecca St. James' music in the past, but our family isn't the type to regularly purchase audio CDs. Besides a few Christmas music CDs over the last few years, I can't think of any other audio CDs we've purchased except for some audio stories for the girls.
I didn't show I Will Praise You to Elmer or the girls. Instead, I popped it into the CD player to surprise them with some new music. Immediately, the girls came into the living room to see what was playing. They realized right away that it wasn't one of the Christian radio stations playing on the radio. They were excited that we had received a new CD to review here for you.
Elmer didn't say much, but later on that day, I noticed that he turned the CD back on to listen to it a second time. I was surprised! He usually prefers male vocalists over female vocal artists.
We've listened to the CD several times now, and Rebecca St. James has a clear message of worship and praise in each of the songs. The arrangements of the songs are done well, and we're pleased!
This is Rebecca St. James' first album containing new songs she's released since 2005, so this is a delight. I've missed hearing her voice, although I know that she's been busy acting in some movies as well since then. This new collection of worship songs is something that Rebecca calls "her most personal recording to date." I Will Praise You represents the latest steps in Rebecca's lifelong journey toward the presence of God.
Elmer didn't say much, but later on that day, I noticed that he turned the CD back on to listen to it a second time. I was surprised! He usually prefers male vocalists over female vocal artists.
We've listened to the CD several times now, and Rebecca St. James has a clear message of worship and praise in each of the songs. The arrangements of the songs are done well, and we're pleased!
This is Rebecca St. James' first album containing new songs she's released since 2005, so this is a delight. I've missed hearing her voice, although I know that she's been busy acting in some movies as well since then. This new collection of worship songs is something that Rebecca calls "her most personal recording to date." I Will Praise You represents the latest steps in Rebecca's lifelong journey toward the presence of God.
Guess what? I'm excited to offer you, my readers, an opportunity to win a free copy of Rebecca St. James' new worship CD, "I Will Praise You"!
You will have until
Tuesday, April 12, 2011 at midnight
to enter this giveaway.
I'd love to be able to give away a copy of this CD to each and every one of you, because you are all such wonderful readers here, but...sigh...I can only give away one CD of "I Will Praise You" by Rebecca St. James.
If you'd like to be entered into the giveaway, here's all you need to do:
1. In the comments section below, share with me the name of your favorite praise and worship song. You'll receive one entry for doing this. Before you can add comments for additional entries to win, please do #1 first. Thanks!
2. Optional: Earn two additional entries (after doing #1 first) by signing up to receive my emailed updates from my blog. Just scroll to the top of this page on the right hand column where it says, "Subscribe to My Blog". Please make sure to leave me two separate comments mentioning that you are a new email subscriber. If you are already an email subscriber via RSS or Feedburner email subscriptions, just let me know in the two comments.
3. Optional: Earn an additional entry by following me via Google Friend Connect (right hand column, below "Follow Me" button.) Please make sure to leave me a comment that you are a new GFC subscriber. If you are already a follower via GFC, just let me know in a comment.
4. Optional: Earn an additional entry by following me via Networked Blogs (right hand column, below "Follow Me" button.) Please make sure to leave me a comment that you are a new Networked Blogs subscriber. If you are already a follower via Networked Blogs, just let me know in a comment.
If you enjoy listening to Rebecca St. James' music as much as I always have, you might want to listen to a preview of her new album HERE.
Below is also a video with lyrics for the album title song.
For even more fun, you can visit Rebecca St. James' Facebook page or go to her LISTENING PARTY!
If you happen to live in Oregon, Rebecca St. James will actually be here for two concerts this weekend in our state - WOW! Here are the locations, below. You can also check her SCHEDULE for when she may be coming through your area, if you don't live here in Oregon.
Saturday, April 8, 2011
SHE Mother/Daughter Event @ People's Church
4500 Lancaster Drive NE, Salem, OR 97305 - Map
(503) 304-4000
7:00 PM; for all ages
Tickets: $15/$19
Saturday, April 9, 2011
SHE Mother/Daughter Event @ Trail Christian Fellowship
18881 Highway 62, Eagle Point, OR 97524 - Map
(541) 878-3501
7:00 PM; for all ages
Tickets: $15/$19
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
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