Music To Help Soothe Your Mind

Soothing Christian Music

music to help soothe your mind

Do you ever wish you could find some beautiful music to help soothe your mind?

It’s been a delight over the years to discover and share new Christian music with you.

It’s “new” to me, I should say.

For this reason, I will always remain thankful for the (original) Christian Music Challenge, which I took years ago at the urging of its now retired founder and a friend of mine, Al Menconi.

Christian music has blessed me during the hills and valleys of my own life, and I’m grateful to God for the realization of this gift.

It’s been a wonderful and constant search for me as I seek out Christian artists whose songs have really touched me in some way.

That’s why I’m so happy to share two more songs with you.

Jesus Our Hope In The Storm

our Hope in the storm

There’s no doubt, we will face trials in this life.

Whether it be a health crisis, a family crisis, an upheaval at work. There are countless things that can go wrong.

These storms will distract us, break us, and even make us question God at times.

Even so, we must keep our focus where it belongs – on Jesus and His promises.

This 2004 song from Fernando Ortega really struck a chord with me. Several of my friends are experiencing sleepless nights over some tough challenges, so this song really caught my attention.

It’s called ”Sleepless Night.”

I was at the grocery store the other day and started humming in the aisles. I realized the song I was humming quietly was the chorus from “Sleepless Night.”

Such a hauntingly beautiful, Christian-themed, melody.

Music To Help Soothe Your Mind 

I really love this next song called, “Jesus, King of Angels.”

It’s a sweet lullaby for any age.

Calming words, soothing vocals, and soul-stirring reverence are a pleasant combination.  More reason why I listen to this song again and again.

I hope it encourages you as well.

God bless you, dear friends in Christ.

# # #


 

Share

Gentri Songs

Gentri Songs For Inspiration And Joy

Gentri songs

Have you heard any Gentri songs?

If not, you’re in for a real treat.

During the Christmas holidays, I saw a viral video that touched my heart so much that I couldn’t wait to post it on my own Facebook page.

The video was of the song, “The Little Drummer Boy,” and it was filmed in a children’s hospital. You can see and hear it too if you click on the link above.

I watched it again, and again.

The performance of the song was so touching that I couldn’t help wondering, “Who is this vocal group?”

Have you heard of Gentri before?

The band’s name is an acronym for “The Gentlemen’s Trio.”

Pretty clever name, I’d say, and they dress the part.  🙂

Gentri Youtube Inspirational Songs

As soon as I learned the name of the trio, I started checking out their song list.

One of my favorite songs ever is, “I’ll Fly Away.”

For years, I’ve been a fan of the Alison Krauss/Gillian Welch version as featured in the movie, “O Brother, Where Art Thou?”

I recently listened to Gentri’s version and well, let’s just say, their version is equally appealing.

I hope you enjoy.

Gentri’s stunning 3-part harmonies are amazing and uplifting.

I highly suggest if you’re having a rough day, turning on some Gentri songs.

You too can feel the joy from the group as they share their God-given talents with the world.

Who is Gentri?

Casey Elliot, Brad Robbins, and Bradley Quinn Lever are the talented tenors. They cover secular songs as well, but be sure and check out their “Hymns” album, released in January of last year on the Shadow Mountain Records label.

Besides “I’ll Fly Away,” the album also includes timeless and beloved hymns such as “Amazing Grace” and “How Great Thou Art.”

Gentri Gives Back

A talented vocal group is always a delight, but when I find out that they give back, it makes me love them all the more.

The gents of Gentri have a tremendous heart and a charitable spirit, partnering with groups like the Younique Foundation Childhood Sexual Abuse Recovery group which helps heal women survivors of child sexual abuse.

If you’d like more information on how you can join this effort, please check out the Foundation’s website here.

Sadly, sex-trafficking is yet one more horrific repercussion of sin and our fallen world.

With that in mind, I need to give you a heads-up about the following touching video from Gentri.

The beautiful and haunting combination of two cover songs, “Say Something” and “Angel” are combined in a heart-wrenching video that you can see below.

I literally cried as I watched and learned about the efforts of Operation Underground Railroad – an organization whose rescue teams, at much risk to themselves, save children from “the darkest corners of the earth.”

Please pray for the O.U.R. rescuers, and most urgently, for the children in harm’s way.

You can also help raise awareness as Gentri has done.

More information on how you can join the campaign is available on the O.U.R. website located here.

# # #


*Gentri trio photo, shared with special permission from Team Gentri.

Share

Music That Speaks To Your Soul

Alison Krauss Music

It’s no secret I‘m a huge Alison Krauss fan.

My husband and I have been to two of her concerts and, each time, she has blown us away with her incredible voice and mastery of any instrument she plays.

With Alison Krauss, you don’t have to worry if you’re sitting in the “cheap seats” at a venue.

Her crystal-clear voice reaches all the way up to the rafters and it’s hard not to get goosebumps when she sings.

God-given talent, for sure.

Music That Speaks To Your Soul*Photo by Earl McGehee

It’s been said that I sound just like her.

Okay, I was the one who said it. 

Music That Speaks To Your Soul

Alison Krauss has won so many awards it’s hard to keep count. While many musicians let that kind of fame go to their heads, her humility and graciousness on stage are like a breath of fresh air.

I guess you could call me a “super fan.”

That being said, I do have my favorites of all the songs she sings.

One of the most beautiful, in my humble opinion, is “Away Down The River.”

It’s a track on an older album, “A Hundred Miles Or More: A Collection” (2007). 

Once I heard it and the unforgettable lyrics, it left an indelible mark on me.

Are you hurting over the loss of someone you love?

I hope this song brings you comfort as it has me over the years.

 God bless!

###

*Photo source: “Alison Krauss playing at Austin City Limits Music Festival 2011,” by “Earl McGehee”. Uploaded on September 24, 2011. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC-BY2.0). Accessed 19 September 2018. https://flic.kr/p/aq6eQu

Share

One Voice Children’s Choir

One Voice Children’s Choir

Are you tired of all the negative news?

Wouldn’t it be nice to hear something life-affirming, joyful, and uplifting for a change?

I saw this video recently on social media and could hardly wait to share it with you.

It’s just over 4 ½ minutes long.

MercyMe lead vocalist and songwriter, Bart Millard, originally wrote this heavenly song and it will always be one of my favorites.

Surely you know by now I’m talking about the timeless, “I Can Only Imagine.”

This version of it from the award-winning One Voice Children’s Choir has quickly won my heart.

If you’ve ever tuned into the TV show, “America’s Got Talent” then you’ll probably recognize them. They were quarter-finalists!

I hope you enjoy.

One Voice

Under the direction of Masa Fukuda, over 500 children have been a part of the One Voice Choir since it began back in 2002 at the Winter Olympics.

I love their Vision Statement:

Through music, we inspire, enrich, uplift, and serve our global community, while building youth as One Voice. – *One Voice Children’s Choir.

I’m encouraged to see so many children exposed to positive messages. Thankfully, there’s no “Rise up!” and “Resist” charges here.

Let kids be kids!

Today’s youth are exposed to way more adult content and violent messages than they ever should be.

Let’s hope and pray value-based programs and activities will always be offered and that there are positive choices for our younger generation.

###

* Vision Statement, courtesy of One Voice Children’s Choir. [About page]. Retrieved from http://onevoicechildrenschoir.com/about-us/. n.d., para. 4.

Share

The Much-Anticipated Album – Songs of the People

Integrity Music to Release “Songs of the People”

Songs of the People

Coming out later this month, Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas offers their latest album, “Songs of the People.”

You may have heard of Prestonwood Baptist.

It’s one of the largest megachurches in America, preaching the sovereignty of the one true God. Prestonwood’s community and global outreach touches millions of lives across the globe. My husband and I have gone to their Christmas show for a couple of years now, and the quality of their productions is nothing short of spectacular.

A Golden Opportunity

I was blessed to hear an advance copy of their latest album.

My expectations ran high as I listened through each song on the album’s playlist.

And then I listened again.

Put me in an audience where a multi-voice choir is singing and I’m in Heaven, lost in praise and worship. It feels like you’re singing with the angels.

Prestonwood Baptist's new album

 

The album, “Songs of the People,” did not disappoint. Among the featured guest artists are Michael W. Smith and Paul Baloche.

Imagine those two distinctive vocalists, well-loved in the Christian music world, blending with hundreds of beautiful voices from Prestonwood’s choir.

Imagine More Than 500 Worshippers On Stage

The album opens with one of my favorite songs, “We Are Alive,” featuring Michael W. Smith.

I get goosebumps when I listen to it. The song builds from Smith’s stirring solo to a rousing crescendo of magnificent voices lifting up the name of the Father.

It’s a “close your eyes and listen” kind of song.

Understandably, there’s not a lot of the music on YouTube right now, before the album’s release, but I did find this cut for you of one of the featured songs.

As you can tell from the background, the video of “You Cover Me” was not filmed at the church or with the choir in the background. But, you’ll at least get an idea of the emotional and soul-stirring lyrics that qualify each of the album’s song choices.

Another song highlight for me is “Let The Redeemed,” featuring Dove Award-winning songwriter, Michael Neale, along with strong vocal support from Paul Baloche, Jordan Grizzard, and Stephen Miller.

“Let The Redeemed” is larger than life. I cranked it up as the masterful choir echoed the vocalists with ascending praises of the chorus.

The heart of this song serves as an important reminder for all Christians going forward.

We remember all the great things You have done.

In the times of great distress in your life, please never (ever) forget all that God has blessed you with in the past.

Gratitude For the Things He Has Done

Our God is faithful.

It’s not over until God says it is.

Realistically, Life seems upside-down right now. It’s disturbing to watch the news, but despite all of the bad, we must remember that God hasn’t forgotten us.

There’s Light up ahead in this darkness.

He keeps His promises

God keeps His promises.

Until then, I hope you’ll get a chance to check out Integrity Music’s release of “Songs of the People” on September 23rd.

To God Be the Glory!

Share
1 2 3 4 5