Last week I had to drive downtown to pick up something at the official police headquarters. Thankfully it wasn't a relative.
I actually had to get a copy of a crime report for a friend of mine to mail to her insurance agent so she could be reimbursed for the thousands of dollars of camera equipment that was stolen out of the back of her car.
Wait, I'm going somewhere with this.
Anyway, as I meandered around the streets of downtown in what proved to many, MANY, failed attempts to locate the police station, I decided I needed some music to calm my nerves because the talk radio was just adding to my already high stress level. And do you know what I just happened to pull out?
My copy of Travis Cottrell's Ring the Bells Christmas CD.
And although I usually have a hard and fast rule (or maybe just a rule) about listening to Christmas music before Thanksgiving, I made an exception. Because if the shopping centers can start hanging garland and red bows the second the clock strikes midnight on the day after Halloween, then I can sing me some carols. I'm so glad I did.
I spent the next thirty minutes doing my best to end up going the wrong way on a one way street, but I didn't even care because I was singing Christmas songs at the top of my voice.
It had been almost a year since I'd listened to Ring the Bells and in that time I'd forgotten that In the First Light makes me cry every time and that his version of Frosty the Snowman is delightful.
In other words, Ring the Bells is a must-have CD for your Christmas collection. Best of all, you can download it on iTunes right now for only $9.90 by clicking here.
And you can even start listening to it before Thanksgiving. I won't tell.
Do y'all ever get a song stuck in your head for days on end? Please tell me that you do. Because I have had a song playing on NEVER ENDING REPEAT in my mind for the last week, and I'm starting to think that it's going to be my internal theme song FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE, WHETHER I WANT IT TO BE OR NOT.
So I've decided - based on absolutely no scientific proof, mind you - that if I share the song with other people, maybe I can "give away" a little of its hold on me. And yes, I recognize that my theory makes no sense whatsoever, but if you'd been singing a song in your head for the last seven days, you'd also probably be looking for a pause button in whatever form you could find it.
And here's the kicker: I LOVE THIS SONG. In fact, I think that one reason it's gotten stuck in my brain is because I've listened to it so much over the last month or so. We actually sang it in church this past Sunday, and OH MY is it ever a great song for corporate worship. So powerful.
I just maybe sorta kinda need a little teensy break from it for four or maybe even sixteen seconds.
And here's my favorite verse, just in case you're wondering:
By faith this mountain shall be moved
And the power of the Gospel shall prevail
For we know in Christ all things are possible
For all who call upon His name.
That's a good word, y'all.
And I know it's a good word because I've been hearing it in my head for SEVEN DAYS IN A ROW, NOT THAT I'M COUNTING.
I know I've mentioned it before, but I sort of have a thing about music.
And when I say, "I have a thing about music," what I mean is that I pretty much like for music to be playing ALL THE TIME.
My little boy has inherited my chronic music listening disorder, and every single morning he turns on the iPod dock before he sits down for breakfast. He loves to listen to Veggie Tales worship songs and sometimes even a little "Mr. Travis," because "Veggie Tales are my favorite, Mama, but I like Mr. Travis' songs almost as much."
That's high praise, Cottrell. Mighty high praise indeed.
Anyway, this morning I was thinking about what worship songs are "in the rotation" at our house right now, and since I'm a fan of oversharing, I thought I'd make a handy list-o-favorites right here on the internet.
Here are my current top five:
1) "To The King" - Mr. Travis, aka Travis Cottrell
2) "A Mighty Fortress" - Christy Nockels
3) "Standing On The Promises" - Selah
4) "How Great" - Mac Powell, Shane Everett & some other talented people
5) "God And Man At Table Are Sat Down" - I'm so embarrassed to tell you that I don't know the name of the singer, but the song is on the "Beloved Disciple" CD.
Okay. There's my list. What songs are you loving right now?
Last night Travis Cottrell and his praise team led worship at Jackson Way Baptist Church in Huntsville. My husband thought it would be fun for us to make the trip since my mama is visiting us here in Birmingham, and she LOVES to hear "pretty music." Plus, she's never gotten to meet our buddy Travis. So off we went.
The whole night was wonderful - even the part where a certain six year-old who happens to be my child started singing Veggie Tales songs while Travis was singing an a cappella version of "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" - and we had the best time worshiping with the folks at Jackson Way. After the service we drove by Krispy Kreme and were greeted by a "Hot Donuts Now" sign, so clearly the entire evening was anointed.
Anyway, one fun thing that Travis and the praise team are doing during the "Jesus Saves LIVE" tour is singing some old gospel songs. Somehow I deleted the first two off of my camera, but I managed to leave the last one intact. And before you watch, you should know that I have no idea who that is saying "COME ON" while the guys are singing. I can't imagine who would do such a thing in a house of worship.
(I'm sorry. I seem to have gotten a little something stuck in my throat.)
So here's Travis, Kevin Perry, Seth Ready and Wes Willett. I think I will christen their quartet "Los Cientos" since it was approximately 100 degrees in the sanctuary when they sang this song.
(Oh, I exaggerate. It was actually only 97 degrees. Breezy, really.)
(And Paige Greene, you are going to LOVE this.)
I think they should totally add a little Southern gospel to the worship at Living Proof Live. Maybe Beth could play the fiddle.
If I could've picked a theme song when I was 20, it probably would've been something by Amy Grant. I wore out my cassette of "The Collection" driving back and forth to college, and since I fancied myself a very deep and thinky English major, I loved analyzing her lyrics as I sang.
Nothing like some late teens / early 20s angst to give "Faithless Heart" a whole new level of meaning, you know?
And if I could've picked a theme song when I was 30, it probably would've been something from Nichole Nordeman's "This Mystery" CD (can I get an "amen"?). God was so gracious to do a whole lot of work in my heart between 27 and 30, and those songs are the soundtrack for that time. I still can't listen to "Home" without getting all teary-eyed.
So in the the interest of getting ahead of the game, I have made a decision. Even though I'm not 40 yet, I've already determined what the new theme song is going to be. Christy Nockels sings it, and oh, it is a good 'un.
Raise your hand if you want to stand up and clap when she sings the chorus.
It's a mighty good word for any stage of life, isn't it?
We have big news on three fronts on this fine Monday morning. And all the news happens tomorrow. On Tuesday. But I'm announcing it today so that you can color-code your calendars accordingly.
Not that I've personally ever done such a thing, of course.
First, LifeWay Women's Pam Case and Paige Greene will be doing a live webcast tomorrow at 12 pm central. Click on over if you'd like to watch the webcast; I can promise you before it even starts that those two girls will make you giggle.
Second, Priscilla Shirer's new Bible study, One in a Million: Journey to Your Promised Land, hits stores tomorrow. I haven't seen it yet, but Pam (the same Pam who I mentioned in the previous paragraph - see how all of this information is just connecting beautifully?) tells me that it is absolutely phenomenal. Can't wait to check it out.
Finally, Travis Cottrell's new CD, Jesus Saves LIVE, also hits stores tomorrow. It. is. incredible. I actually saw several of the CDs in my LifeWay store late last week, so you might even be able to pick up a copy a little early. This CD has been such a blessing to our family already, and I know it'll bless yours, too.
It's hard to believe that it's been almost four months since Melanie and I (and so many of you!) made the trip to Atlanta to see Travis Cottrell record his Jesus Saves LIVE CD. I will remember that night for the rest of my life, and I still think it's a wonder that every single rafter in that sanctuary didn't come tumbling to the ground when Angela Cruz sang "Mercy Seat." I've never heard anything like it.
The CD hits stores on June 2nd, and it is absolutely phenomenal (repeat after me: PHE-NOM-E-NAL). We're gonna have us a little photo caption contest next week so that we can give away a few copies as prizes. In the meantime, I thought y'all might like to see this preview video.
Last thing: "Jesus Saves" is playing on Christian radio (right now it's number 18 on the inspirational charts), so if you have a Christian radio station in your area and you love the song, you can totally call in and request it.
(Maybe you'll even be caller #14 and win some sort of fabulous prize pack that involves Petra albums and two tickets to Amy Grant's "Age to Age" tour.)
(Sorry. I am powerless to resist the 80s nostalgia.)
When Melanie and I were at Living Proof Live in New Orleans a few weeks ago, Travis and the praise team sang a new arrangement of "Victory In Jesus" that's actually going to be on Travis' new (OH-SO-AWESOME) CD that comes out in June.
And while they sang, things got a little lively up on the stage.
I just wish that Beth would learn to be a smidge more joyful when she worships, you know? She's just so reserved.
Oh, I am quite the jokester.
And I hope the music puts a spring in your step this fine Monday!
1) Just a quick reminder that Living Proof Live for Ministers' Wives is this weekend (March 13 & 14) in Nashville. Oh, how I would love to be there. But alas, I am not a minister's wife. I thought about offering to sing a solo or something in exchange for the LifeWay people letting me slip in and sit on the back row, but then I remembered that I can't actually sing. So it wasn't exactly my strongest plan.
2) This article has some great, practical advice for leading a Bible study. And if you work in a church, the article would be a fab resource for your small group leaders.
3) Without boring you to tears with the details, I'll tell you that listening to the words of this song - which was written and recorded for the International Mission Board last year - left me very encouraged yesterday.
Y'all brought back some serious memories with your comments on my last post; in fact, I spent the better portion of Friday humming "Friends" or "Father's Eyes," and while I was tempted to go get a spiral perm to make it all feel a little more authentic, you'll be happy to know that I resisted.
But I still may break out a banana clip. There's just not a bit of telling.
Anyway, I wanted to add one more little tidbit to our discussion of Things Musical and then I'll get back to regularly scheduled programming on my next post. Not that I have anything you could consider regular and/or scheduled that I write about here, but I needed a segue', and that one seemed fitting, so I ran with it.
So here's what I wanted to share.
When I was growing up the very first thing listed in the church bulletin every week was the call to worship. It was always a song intended to help prepare our hearts for worship, but I didn't realize that when I was a child. I just thought that the organist played music to make the congregation get quiet before the preacher walked out.
Now that I'm older, of course, I understand the concept of "call to worship" a little bit better, and about a year and a half ago I started doing something in the mornings that has had a profound impact on my mood and my outlook. I have a "call to worship" almost every single morning in my car. Because as it turns out, you don't have to listen to an organist or even be sitting in a church to be called to worship.
I KNOW.
There are several songs I listen to with the sole purpose of reminding myself that my actions throughout the day should be worshipful and worship-filled (and this is in addition to quiet time / Bible study, by the way), and I thought I'd share one of my favorites with y'all. It's called "Vision of You," and it was written by Shane Bernard of Shane & Shane.
Other early morning favorites are "Quietly" by Daniel Renstrom and Travis Cottrell's version of "Praise To The Lord The Almighty." I don't listen to the same song every morning, but the intent is always the same: to put my heart in its proper place.
What are the songs that help prepare your heart for worship? Do you have any favorites?
Y'all are going to think this is the most random thing ever.
And that is fine. Because this is in fact the most random thing ever.
This morning I was thinking about what music my little boy will remember from his childhood. He loves Monk & Neagle, Mercy Me, Dave Barnes - and while I don't know if it's at all normal for a five year-old to ask to listen to "Mr. Travis" on a nearly daily basis, there's no question that Travis Cottrell will forever be a part of Alex's Childhood Musical Hall of Fame.
Travis must be so proud. Maybe I should send him a certificate. With a commemorative seal.
Anyway, I've been walking down my own little musical memory lane for about the last two hours, and for some reason one song in particular popped in my head - a song I haven't listened to in, I don't know, fifteen years?
So I searched YouTube, and y'all - I FOUND IT.
I NEARLY SQUEALED.
I mean, that'll take you right back to some stirrup pants and Units. Yes ma'am it will.
So 'fess up, girls - what's your favorite old school contemporary Christian song from the 80s or 90s?
If you'll give me enough time to go hot roll my hair and lacquer it really good with some Paul Mitchell Freeze & Shine, I'll meet you in the comments.
I'm sitting in a hotel room outside of Atlanta right now, and Travis Cottrell finished the live recording of his new worship CD (at First Baptist Church Woodstock) about an hour and a half ago. I'm still a little keyed up from the whole thing, but I thought I'd share a few thoughts before I try to settle down and go to bed.
1. The whole night was awesome.
2. No, really. It was seriously awesome.
3. I think there were about 6,000 people there.
4. And those 6,000 people were flat-out praising the Lord.
5. Travis and his praise team, band and the FBC Woodstock choir did a phenomenal job leading us in worship.
6. Look! Travis' shoes!
7. The shoes held up beautifully.
8. Beth Moore spoke about worship. And it was a mighty good word. SHOCKING, I know.
9. All in all it was just a really special time with sweet friends.
10. And if you weren't there, we totally missed you.
11. You'd better be there next time, I'M NOT KIDDING.
My little boy loves to sing. Sometimes the songs don't actually, you know, EXIST, but that doesn't seem to stop him. He'll just make up lyrics as he goes along, filling in the blanks with whatever pops into his mind.
A couple of days ago, however, I heard him singing a song that he learned in choir. I hadn't heard it in forever - like not-since-children's-choir-back-in-the-80s forever. The melody was instantly recognizable, but I was a little fuzzy on the words. So I asked him to sing it again - and as I listened, I started to smile. And then my heart pretty much filled to overflowing.
It's funny how the old hymns mean so much more when you're older, you know?
Sing the wondrous love of Jesus,
Sing His mercy and His grace.
In the mansions bright and blessèd
He'll prepare for us a place.
When we all get to Heaven,
What a day of rejoicing that will be!
When we all see Jesus,
We'll sing and shout the victory!
While we walk the pilgrim pathway,
Clouds will overspread the sky;
But when traveling days are over,
Not a shadow, not a sigh.
When we all get to Heaven,
What a day of rejoicing that will be!
When we all see Jesus,
We'll sing and shout the victory!
Let us then be true and faithful,
Trusting, serving every day;
Just one glimpse of Him in glory
Will the toils of life repay.
When we all get to Heaven,
What a day of rejoicing that will be!
When we all see Jesus,
We'll sing and shout the victory!
Those words have encouraged me so much today - hope they encourage you, too.
Over the last five or six years worship music has become a big - no, make that huge - part of my life. Back in 2002 (-ish) my husband started looking up some of the songs we sang at church, and eventually we noticed that worship music was taking up more and more space on our iPods. There is something about Truth set to music that moves me way down deep in my soul, and now, on the occasional day when I don't have the chance to crank up my music in the car, I can feel the difference in my heart.
So.
All that to say.
You can imagine my delight when I found out that Travis Cottrell is recording a live worship CD on January 25th in Atlanta. God has blessed Travis with incredible musical talent, and He's also given him the unique ability to lead worship and somehow get completely out of the way at the same time. There's not a single ounce of pretense with Travis, and his humility in worship has ministered to me at more LifeWay events than I can count. He is the real dadgum deal.
If you're within driving distance of Atlanta and want to spend a Sunday night in some straight-up, flat-out worship, you should absolutely drive over to First Baptist Woodstock and hear Travis and his praise team live. The super-talented Cindy Morgan and Shaun Groves will be there, too - not to mention a girl named Beth Moore. You may have heard of her.
My husband and I have had this date on our calendar for months - we absolutely cannot wait, and we would love to see you there!
This morning I was clicking around on the computer, analyzing world trade agreements and the historic implications of US missile policy (AHEM), and I ran across a video for Stephen Curtis Chapman's song "The Miracle of Christmas."
Oh, the lyrics. The lyrics are GOOD. And they are TIMELY.
I can't embed the video here because YouTube won't let me, but I can certainly give you the link:
![](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4TV06ykb3JU/SU-egkjdtHI/AAAAAAAAAK4/xxarUJvyZ5s/s1600-h/TravisCottrell_11x17sm.jpg"){kind=spacer}
Melanie
Melanie
Sophie
Sophie
Pam
Pam
Paige
Paige
Kris
Kris