I grew up watching The Sound of Music and it has always been a family favorite. One of the songs I sing to my own daughter is These are a Few of My Favorite Things!
(Sorry for the poor quality of the video.)
I only watched the tail end of Carrie Underwood's performance and thought that she did well enough, however, the original production can never be beat. That is not a slam against Carrie Underwood, it's just that the 1965 version is a classic and will remain as such (in my eyes at least). The Sound of Music will always be on my "These are a few of my favorite things..." list! Including this song that encourages us to think of all our blessings in bad times like, "...when the dog bites, when the bee stings, when I'm feeling sad..." and then "... I won't feel so bad!"
Here are a few of my favorite things, that help me when I am sad. Rather than making a list, I decided to write my own version:
Words on white paper and bling on my finger
Uplifting music and friends who linger
Songs that I cherish and can't help but sing
These are a few of my favorite things
Dressing up fancy and pajama pants too
Cookies and Coffee and baby shoes
Growing and changing to be like my King
These are a few of my favorite things
Cuddley puppies and crafty wheat beer
Frosty Mugs filled with root beer and cheer
Family love and the laughter they bring
These are a few of my favorite things
When a friend fights
When a word stings
When I'm feeling sad
I'll simply remember my favorite things
And then I won't feel so bad!
Now, it's your turn! Write your own version and share it with me!
These are in no particular order, but each of these songs are my favs for one reason or another.
1. It Is Well With My Soul - If you've never read Horatio Spaford's story behind writing this song, you need to because it is heart wrenching.
2. Indescribable by Christ Tomlin (Laura Story actually wrote this song, and I love both versions.) - There's a huge story behind this one, read about it here.
3. She's Everything by Brad Paisley - Before Kyle and I got married my maid of honor asked Kyle if there was a song that immediately came to mind when he thought of me. She said he didn't even skip a beat, or think about it, this is what he told her. So of course we danced to it at our wedding and now whenever I hear it, it's an automatic reminder of how much he loves me.
4. Chicken Fried by Zac Brown Band - First of all, Zac Brown Band is one of my favorite bands, secondly this song is a reminder to enjoy the little things in life.
5. In Christ Alone by Keith and Kristyn Getty and Alison Kraus - Alison Kraus is another favorite artist so I automatically like anything she sings, but this song reminds me of my life mantra: In Christ Alone my hope is found, HE is my rock, my life, my strength, my song.
6. If You Want Me To by Ginny Owens - Her story is an amazing one. She's blind and received a teaching certificate in music. Schools refused to hire a her and through her discouragement, she became a respected musician in her church and the Christian music industry. I saw her at a Women of Faith conference many years ago and have loved her since. This song's lyrics are phenomenal, "The pathway is broken and the signs are unclear and I don't know the reason why you brought me here, but just because you love me the way that you do, I'm going to walk through the valley if you want me to, cause I'm not who I was when I took my first step, and I'm clinging to the promise you're not through with me yet, so with all of these trials bring me closer to you, and I will go through the fire if you want me to. It may not be the way I would've chosen when you lead me through a world that's not my home, but you never said it would be easy, you only said I'll never leave you alone." Her style is eclectic, her voice is soft, but strong, and her message is an excellent one.
7. Blessings by Laura Story - Due to this song I had a revelation about answers to prayer. Her story behind this album is also pretty amazing.
8. Better Dig Two by The Band Perry - I LOVE their music. This song is so catching and this line... "I told you on the day we wed I was gonna love you till I's dead..." Yup, we need more lines like that.
9. Great is Thy Faithfulness by Fernando Ortega - Sometimes the oldies, the classics are the best. This one has a more modern feel, but the lyrics remind me that despite trials God is faithful. "Morning by morning new mercies I see, all that I've needed your hand hath provided..." Pretty much sums it all up.
10. Our Great God by Todd Agnew - The lyrics speak for themselves, "Eternal God unchanging, mysterious and unknown, your boundless love unfailing... Hallelujah, glory be to our great God... Lord, we are weak and frail help us in the storm, surround us with your angels, hold us in your arms, our cold ruthless enemy, his pleasure is our harm RISE UP OH LORD AND HE WILL FLEE BEFORE OUR SOVEREIGN GOD!" What an amazing song of praise to a God so worthy of it!
(Plus one...)
11. Wagon Wheel by Darius Rucker - The moment Brielle heard it, she LOVED it. It's been her favorite ever since. It's so cute, the moment it comes on she starts smiling, dancing and bouncing. She has good tastes.
I actually have a "top twenty" playlist on iTunes and it was hard to cut that in half, but these songs are by far my favorite. They're not just beautifully written and performed, but (for the most part) the meaning and stories behind them keep my focus on what's important. This list grows every day and there's always a song that comes up on Pandora that blows.my.mind. and then put on my iTunes wish list. I'm sure songs like Mercy Me's "Word of God Speaks" and "Desert Song" by Hillsong or Casting Crown's "Praise You in This Storm" will make the list. It's a very special list. Sometimes I just put this list on repeat - all day.
Kyle and I have had the privilege to listen to "Scenic Roots" perform on two different occasions. Scenic Roots is the name of two musically talented sisters that travel to share their testimony and perform outstanding music using a fiddle, dulcimers, and a banjo.
We own two c.d.'s and enjoy their music and testimony. Last night they came to our church for an evening concert and I was excited to learn that Erin Rogers created a c.d. with a man named Josh Messick called "Honest: Songs of Hope". It is an instrumental c.d. featuring Erin and Josh on dulcimers. I am excited to report that it is awesome!
First let me share what they wrote on the c.d. cover as to why they created this album in the first place, "This album was created out of personal hardship in each of our lives. From this brokenness came the desire to communicate a real and healing message of hope. Honest is two people begging for healing from God, seeking the Truth, and learning that He is faithful no matter the circumstances." Erin shares her story of hardship on the c.d. cover and she shares her personal story in each concert which I've been blessed to hear her tell, but it in her own words, "I received a mountain dulcimer on my seventh birthday, and ten years later became the 2004 National Champion. It was then I knew I would play music for the rest of my life. Not until I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma in 2007, however, did I begin to fully understand the power of music to soothe the weary soul and heal the heart. Playing dulcimer in the chemotherapy treatment room helped me endure some of the hardest days of my life. That experience continues to influence every note I play." Wow. What a testimony. To give you an idea of how talented these individuals are at playing the dulcimer: Erin was the 2004 National Champion and Josh the 2003 National Champion!
You must check out this c.d. which is available on iTunes.
Josh Messick has a website that is worth visiting.
And if you can, get them to visit your church, or your coffee shop, or check out their schedule and make an effort to hear one of their concerts. I promise it's worth it.
