Free (& legal) music

Living on a budget has its ups and downs, and one thing that I have been craving is some new music.  However even $.99 in itunes adds up pretty fast.

I thought that I might share with you some places that I have found free and legal music.  So if you are itching for a new dance tune, something slow and soothing, or even some new Christmas music, here are some places to try.

Air 1 Radio Station features a free song each week from Contemporary Christian groups like Plumb, The City Harmonic, Press Play, Sixteen Cities, etc.  Here is this week's free song available to download:

Sometimes you can get free Christian music through Group Tune, and if not, there are lots of great discounts.  For five more days, you can get two Marian Grace Albums for $10.  If you sign up for email updates, they will let you know when more deals become available.

I can't find a good You Tube video just featuring their music, but they were featured on a recent episode of EWTNs Life on the Rock.  They are bringing new life to beautiful, ancient hymns and prayer.  You can see them in this video starting at around minute ten.

And finally, my favorite new addiction is Noise Trade.  It features ALL.KINDS.OF.MUSIC for FREE download- you even have the option of giving the artists a tip.  Sometimes new artists use it to get their music out there, like Andrew and Hannah.  Marian Grace even has a couple of songs from their newest album. Sometimes well known artists share a track off a new album, or maybe even an entire album, like this collection from Jars of Clay.  There are even worship albums put out by churches.  I found a lot of good ones, but this is a new one I just downloaded from Sanctuary Band.  And I am currently in love with The Steel Wheels.  You can search by artist, genre, top downloads, or even for someone similar to an artist you are already a fan of.  I love it.  You should give it a try.

How do you fill your music cravings on a budget?

Fake Fear

Recently my great Youth Group kids joined up with some other great Youth Group kids to try out a local high ropes course.  Air stairs, tightropes, trees to scale, a zip line...lots of fun to be had.

The high ropes course that we were at is a part of a Christian camp.  Our facilitator was informative, good with the kids, had a sense of humor, and was able to work in a few messages about faith.

At one point, the kids were standing facing the high ropes course putting on all of their safety gear.  This was their first good look at the course, and you could see some intimidation, uncertainty, and fear creeping into their expressions.  The kids with the most bravado earlier were even vocalizing nerves.

And that was when our facilitator, pointing at the course, said something like this:

"Think it looks scary, huh?  Feeling a little fear thinking about doing this?  I promise you that you are safe.  Your safety gear is safe.  The facilitators working with you will keep you safe.  The equipment on the course is safe.  As a matter of fact, up on the course is the safest place in the entire camp."

"That fear you are feeling- it is fake.  FAKE!  It is not real, and it is not of God. 

You are safe, and you can do this."

Wow.  What a message.  Can you hear the truth in there that has nothing to do with dangling 30 feet above the ground?  As Christians, we are not called to live a life of fear.  Our God says to us, "See that great big world?  It is full of twists and turns and changes and challenges.  I know that there will be times when you look at it and you will be tempted to fear.  Remember, it is big, but I am bigger.  That fear is FAKE. You are safe.  My Word, My Church, My Sacraments, My people will keep you safe.  I will never leave you or forsake you.  Do not fear.  Choose instead to love."

Reminds me of this song:

"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear..." ~1 John 4:18

What to do with a blog…

So, at the beginning of this adventuresome year, I had many people tell me, “You should start a blog!”  I enjoy the blog world, and it sounded great in theory, so I decided to get started.  I thought of a name.  I registered it with blogger.  Found a pretty design.  And… that was it.  Because, where do I go from here?  What should the topic of the blog be?

I don’t have cute kids to share updates about.  I am not planning a wedding that I can keep you apprised of.  I do not have lots of exciting, jet setting tales that will keep you coming back for more.  Hmmm…

I think those that suggested writing a blog wanted me to write about my year of “unemployment.”  Makes sense, but do people really want to read about my life and career drama?  Really, how personal do I want to get with all of cyber space?  (Even though only about three people will probably read this).

Then I thought maybe I could have a craft blog.  I am making more time to be creative these days, and it might be fun to post what I have been making.  I get lots of ideas from online sources, so why not share?

Another idea was to blog about Youth Ministry and my DRE work.  I am always coming up with new Youth Group lessons and games, or craft projects for the younger kids at church.  Why not post some of those ideas for others to use?

Or maybe I could blog about faith in everyday life.  I love finding more and more ways to incorporate my passion for Christ into all aspects of my day.  I also love finding ways to make the culture around us realign to Christianity.  Christians used to set the tone for the culture, but now it seems to be run by the secular.   Let’s try to make the secular holy.

And this is where I got stuck.  I didn’t know which of these topics warranted the attention of a blog.  Plus, there are many more talented than I who cover those topics much better than I ever could.  So I didn’t do anything J

But yesterday in prayer, I was convicted that there just might be something I can share, and maybe this blog could be a forum for that.  So, I am going to write about all of those things listed above, because that is my life.   Here we go!

“But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord.  Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you.” ~1 Peter 3:15

Mission: Radiance

"They looked to Him and were radiant,
And their faces will never be ashamed"

~Psalm 34:5