Sing Unto The Lord...

In thinking through some things that I do to help keep my focus on Christ, I wanted to share with you one of the main resources I use throughout each day. Personalized music CDs! Last year I spent quite a bit of time loading some of my favorite songs onto our computer. The source of these songs were either from CDs we had previously purchased or music we had purchased (downloaded) online from http://www.walmart.com./ I have really enjoyed using Wal-Mart to purchase single songs as the cost is only .88 cents per song and you receive a license to burn each song 10 times to a personal CD. Plus, I use a Wal-Mart gift card to purchase the music-so I don't have to use a credit card or bank card. This way I am only paying for each song I want as opposed to purchasing an entire CD, which is often a "mixed bag" approach.

My idea was to make a collection of music that I could listen to that I LOVED each and every song on the CD. Since the CDs I burned were of music we already had purchased and were for personal use only (not reselling), I felt that we were not violating any copyright issues. (Let me know if I am mistaken on this point) Some of the music CDs we own may only have one or two songs on each CD that I REALLY like and I'd prefer not having to hunt around for the ones that speak to me. Likewise, now I don't have to sort through several CDs to find those few favorite songs. With my personal compilation, I can pop these three CDs in our CD player and have over 3 1/2 hours of Worship Music that ministers to my soul.

This has been a wonderful way for me to Worship the Lord, bring conviction when needed, do an "attitude check" or otherwise focus on spiritual things. I can't tell you how much I have enjoyed liking EVERY song that plays! I need to burn a few more CDs at some point as I think I'm beginning to wear these out!!

I have had friends ask my about my "play list" so I will share it here. Obviously these are some of my personal favorites... so your compilations would look different. I lean towards songs with a "beat" that may be too "rowdy" for some. :-) I took great care in which songs I placed on each album and even the order in which I placed the songs. Each CD has a "theme" to it if you will.

Diane's Music CD’s Play List

Worship CD #1 (Focusing on Christ, His Attributes, Who He is and what He has done for us!!)
Grace Like Rain by Todd Agnew
Majesty by Delirious
More Than a Friend by Jeremy Riddle
Blessed Be Your Name by Matt Redman
Amazing Love by Bebo Norman
King of Glory by Third Day
Your Beloved by By The Tree
You Are So Good To Me by Third Day
This Fragile Breath by Todd Agnew
Something About That Name by Sonicflood
Once Again by Matt Redman
Offering by Third Day
Nothing But The Blood by Tree 63
The Heart of Worship by Matt Redman
Warrior by Ark Angel (Kemper Crabb)
Your’re Everywhere by Third Day

Confessional CD #1 (This is a great selection of music to draw my heart towards God when I am under conviction, or needing deliverance)
Child of His Grace by Hyper Static Union
Confession by Frank Hart
Just Like You by Jadon Lavik
It’s Yours by Jadon Lavik
Wait for Your Rain by Todd Agnew
Deliver Me by David Crowder Bank
You Rescue Me by Mike Theriault
Pierced by Audio Adrenaline
Take Me Back by ?
Audience of One by Big Daddy Weave
Show Me Your Glory by Third Day
Ready For You by Kutless
Father by Jadon Lavik
Thank You for Saving Me by Delirious

Facedown (before the Lord) CD #1 (This collection of songs is my "Waiting on Him" type music, often when I am needing direction, or His leading and intervention)
Oh Lead Me by Delirious
Take Me In by Kutless
Facedown by Matt Redman
Promise of a Lifetime by Kutless
Surrender by Lincoln Brewster
Broken by Lincoln Brewster
Praise You In This Storm by Casting Crowns
The Man You Want Me to Be by Phil Joel (or in my case "the woman" :-)
Hope by Smith Band
Teach me your ways by Mike Theriault
If You Want Me To by Ginny Owens
My Hope Is You by Third Day
Only One Thing by Todd Agnew
Words Of Life by Big Daddy Weave
In You by Mercy Me