July 24, 2009 by Stacy McDonald
A Chance to Win!
“I wish to see all arts, principally music, in the service of Him who gave and created them. Music is a fair and glorious gift of God… I am strongly persuaded that after theology there is no art that can be placed on a level with music; for besides theology, music is the only art capable of affording peace and joy of the heart…” –Martin Luther
Wouldn’t You Like to Win the Winton’s Wonderful CD? – Try saying that quickly three times! If you haven’t heard the Winton family’s spectacular bluegrass playing, you are missing out! I agree with Martin Luther that good music is a powerful tool in “affording peace and joy of the heart.”
“And so it was, whenever the spirit from God was upon Saul, that David would take a harp and play it with his hand. Then Saul would become refreshed and well, and the distressing spirit would depart from him.” (1 Samuel 16:23)
I am tickled at the opportunity to give away a free copy of the Winton’s newest CD, This World is Not My Home, to one of my blog readers. Contests are fun, regardless of who wins. And even if you don’t win, perhaps some of you will find out a little more about this intriguing family. Maybe you have just discovered the right music group to invite for your next special function or church activity! Or perhaps you’ll want to simply order a CD for yourself or a friend! If you haven’t heard The Wintons before, CLICK HERE to listen to some audio clips.
All you have to do for a chance to win This World is Not My Home is give me one example of how good music ministers to your heart. I know for me, when I’m stressed or feeling ill, violin music soothes my soul. Likewise, there is some “music” that make me feel like all my nerves are on the outside of my skin! LOL How about you? Share with us your thoughts for a chance to win and be sure to include your name and email address! The drawing will be held on Monday, July 27, 2009, at 10 a.m.
The Winton family holds a special place in our family’s hearts for a number of reasons – one being their absolute sold-out spirits for the Lord. Last year, when my husband’s father was in the hospital, over two thousand miles away from us, God in His sovereignty placed this special family nearby him. When the Wintons found out our need, they immediately acted. This precious family stepped in as the hands and feet of Christ on our behalf and selflessly ministered to my father in law.
Not only did they faithfully speak God’s Truth to him, they also brought their instruments to the hospital and ministered to his dying soul with their God-honoring, joyful music. We are so honored to have such faithful brothers and sisters in the Lord.
When we arrived in California, our sweet friend, Carmon, drove a good distance to pick us up at the airport and ferry us around to various locations. Later that day, the Wintons hosted all of us in their home and were such a blessing and encouragement to our heavy hearts. That night, after a wonderful dinner, they gave us a personal concert that truly blessed us all.
Lisa and Randy are a wonderful example of godly parents, and the fruit of their labors is evident in their children. Their lives are a reflection of Jesus and the music this family produces is a testimony of His giftings. Praise the Lord!
One reviewer writes:
“The Winton Family Band presents gospel bluegrass music in a fresh and vibrant way. Their vocals blend like only a family group can. Their instrumentation is exciting and features Cody and Jesse on banjo, fiddle, guitar and mandolin with Randy and Lisa backing them up on guitar and bass. I highly recommend this fine band to any church or civic organization who wants great wholesome and entertaining music with a message that reaches out to their audience.”
And another:
“This great family band does a very professional job with their vocals and acoustic instrumentation. Their repertoire encompasses bluegrass, country and gospel with a special emphasis on gospel. Their entire act is very “pulled together”. I was especially impressed with the singing style of Randy Winton (The Dad). So, if you like clean acoustic music with fiddle, banjo, mandolin, bass and guitar supporting tight family and sibling harmonies, you will get all of that and more with The Wintons!” – George Ireton, The California Bluegrass Association
I encourage y’all to look up the Wintons if you are need of a music group for a special event. This is from their Purpose Statement:
“During our concerts we plan to communicate the saving grace of Jesus Christ, the blessing of families ministering together, the purpose of having a family vision, the fruitfulness of multi-generational faithfulness, and the goal of living separate and deliberate lives for the Lord. We also hope to share about the blessings of adoption, both in a natural and spiritual sense.” – The Wintons
Julie Cochran is our winner! Congrats, Julie!
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46 Responses to “A Chance to Win!”
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Stacy, thank you for this chance. I am so excited. I love to praise our Lord with music. Sometimes the words, usually from our beautiful Bible, and the music bring His peace to me. I am one of the ones who likes all kinds of music, as long as it is Holy.
your friend, Tracylea
I have to say that it is hard to describe the way music ministers to my soul. the ways are limitless. here are a few: it helps me to praise the Lord even during difficult times, music has helped me memorize scripture. it helps me minister to my children's souls by imparting truth in different creative ways which also ministers to me. thank you so much for doing this! blessings to you and yours, jen in al
Good wholesome music that is created to praise God always helps to stay focused through the day, whether I am stressed or having a great day. It is amazing how music can sway our moods from good, to bad to worse. I love hearing my 3 year old sing songs that glorify God, even if she doesn't quite understand it all right now. I love to have Worship music playing throughout my house all day long, it creates an atmosphere for worshiping the Lord even in tasks that others would consider menial.
God Bless
Crystal <><
Music ministers to me by helping me change my attitude (or keeping a good one when I have it). The day can be going horribly wrong, and my daughters will start bursting out in hymns and my spirit cannot help but be more joyful!
And when I am doing something I do not particularly like (like folding clothes), having music on helps the time to go by faster AND helps me to keep a positive attitude.
I have also noticed that songs that are more like hymns, where it talks about Biblical truths rather than feelings, and very powerful in drawing me closer to Him and making His truth real in my life and the lives of my children.
We love to listen to melodious music. It sets the tone of our home!
In the morning it's music to work by; sometimes it's music to bring peace to tension in our home. Whether it's to soothe or to motivate, it ALWAYS ministers to our spirits.
Our children are allowed to listen to quiet, peaceful music when they lie down to rest, and we are especially conscious of the music filling our home as we prepare for worship on Sunday mornings.
There are times when music gives me an opportunity to meditate on God's truth in unexpected times or ways.
There have been many times during seasons of trial or stress when I will begin humming a tune, that upon further reflection, has lyrics which speak directly to the situation. Sometimes they are just encouraging words, other times they are the very Word of God…. Read More
Praise God for the gift of music that allows the truth of His Word to sink deep into the soil of our hearts!
I personally met the Wintons at a homeschool conference in Sacramento, CA in 2005, and God used them mightily to forever change our lives! God has added two more little blessings as a result of these precious people and we've been homeschooling since we met them! Music ministers to me sometimes when I have a heavy heart, and sometimes don't know how to express it to God in prayer. It helps me to get into an attitude of worship, and helps me to re-direct my thoughts when I get distracted.
I also love listening to worship music when I am doing chores around the house, to keep an attitude of prayer and worship during my daily duties. Most of all, I just LOVE worshipping the Lord, and glorifying Him!! :) Blessings! Jennifer Harrell
Hi, Stacy! I love godly music! There's a song going in my heart and head almost all the time. So many times when we read a Bible verse before dinner, I've got a song that comes to mind that goes with that particular scripture – could be a song we sang in choir 30+ years before. Music is such a great gift from God and truly ministers to our spirit. Love and miss you and your sweet family!
Music helps to draw me closer to Christ often in a way that the message from the pulpit may not be able to do. When I listen to music especially Gospel, I am often moved to tears as I experience the Holy Spirit move within. The joy that I feel knowing that I am called on of HiS own, is so moving, humbling, and overall joyful that the love for my Lord and Savior becomes so real. Real to the point of almost being able to touch HIM much like the woman touching the hem of HIS garment. This of course does not minimize the need to read my Bible, they are just so closely intertwined because they have the ability to move my Spirit.
Rebecca
Ladies, Please remember that you need to leave me your name and email address, so that if you win I can contact you!!!!! Thanks!
Hi Julie,
We miss you too! It's hard to believe so many years have passed! Jessica has really enjoyed reconnecting with Audrey.
St. Augustine once said, "He who sings prays twice." This is exactly how I feel when singing to the Lord. The words are one prayer, the music another; and we sing them together at once! No wonder Scripture calls it a "joyful noise."
Oh, and my name and email address can be linked to from clicking on my identity link.
Our family loves to sing and did so almost every night for five years as we traveled across the United States.
There is one particular instance in my life when I found great benefit in listening to music. One night after I was misdiagnosed with Lymphoma a couple of years ago, anxiety threatened to overtake me, and I couldn't sleep. My loving husband went and got his MP3 player and played some godly relaxing music for me. Within a few minutes, I could feel myself relaxing and before I knew it, I was asleep. Throughout those dark weeks, I continued to listen often to that same cd.
When I am down, music and lyrics that point me to Christ lift my spirits. When I am happy, it helps my soul praise Him even more. Thanks for the opportunity to win this cd. :)
We love good, God honoring music. We listen to some bluegrass that is like that. It would be awesome to win this.
We have found that listening to certain music sets the mood in our home. When we want to get everyone up and going we turn on the bluegrass. It's seems to lift the spirits and give energy.
I just LOVE the Wintons!!! :)
Many Blessings~ Miss Jen
email~ blessedfemina@yahoo.com
Great contest! My husband would especially appreciate this one because he's a bass player and loves blue grass.
Music ministers to me in so many ways, but a recent example would be during my pregnancy- which just produced our 3rd beautiful baby, a boy- when I would feel anxious or depressed, instrumental or soothing praise and worship music would help me get to a place of peace. What a gift the Lord has given us!
Realized I may not have left my email-
courtney@familylifemission.org
Thank you for the chance to win! You are right, contests are fun no matter who wins. I hope whoever wins will have a good time listening to that wonderful CD!!
I love to listen to music and I'm very glad the Lord gave me ears to hear it!! I always have a fun time memorizeing scripture with the help of music.
Thank you again for the chance to win.
May God bless you and your family.
Kathleen
http://www.n-orenczakfamily.blogspot.com
Stacy, our favourite music is that which points us to the truths of God's Word. We love to put in a CD to work to … everything goes better when we're singing along, praising God as we wash the floors or dust the books, etc.
Thanks for this contest. It's fun to read how music impacts the lives of others, too.
Janet
Music has a way of weaving into the fabric of our souls (heart and mind) and whatever words have been spun into it work their way in as well. Beautiful music, accompanied by lyrics which honor the Lord and seek after His glory, are like golden threads, and more. . .perhaps a bit of kevlar to ward off the fiery darts of the evil one. . and wool, to remind us that we are but sheep. . ..and so much more.
Blessings and thank you for your ministry and service to our most gracious Lord.
Jan (jan@ennenga.org)
Music calms my spirit, relaxes me and makes me feel at peace. I especially love songs that worship the Lord and the songs that my son plays on his mandolin. Music is a huge part of our family as the Lord has gifted us with the love of music.
Thank you for offering this give-away! They are wonderful!
God bless you – Julie
Hi Stacy,
Music certainly ministers to my heart. I have found that in times of darkness listening to hymns has constantly reminded me that the Lord is with me even when the situation seems hopeless. I've learnt to listen to edifying music as much as possible so that I can keep my eyes on the Lord – when times are good or bad.
Love Michelle
michelleladkins@gmail.com
I am an English and Musis teacher and I am very careful what form of art I allow to minister to me. I believe that the LORD has blessed us with music and all music should be uplifting and honoring to the Him.
That being said, I appreciate music's ability to lift my spirit and heal my hurts, along with giving me a way to worship God!
Blessings upon you!
Gina
ImagesbyGina@aol.com
Phil. 4:8
We love to put on a good fast-paced music to work to on our Friday clean up. It keeps the kids working to the music and keeps their spirits high. I often will put on music in the kitchen while working there, to train my thoughts upward. Thanks for the opportunity to win this CD.
Cindy
Count me in for the contest. We are learning about music as a family, and in the church. There is so much to reclaim that was lost over the centuries. Different styles of music help make our lives more full as they are used in the correct occasion. Blue grass is definitely happy working music, and we could all use the right attitudes in our work! Now to remember to play it. . . Patty marrtians@sbcglobal.net
Ah ~ there isn't enough space here to comment on music! Don't you love waking with a song on your heart that only God could have put there during the wee morning hours!!! I was raised in a very unhappy, and difficult home. During elementary school my parents let me learn to play the violin "because we already have that instrument" under a bed. I wanted to play piano or flute ~ oh well ~ violin it was. My future husband's father was my first music teacher ~ met my future husband playing quartets in junior high, played violin with him all through high school ~ and married when school was finished. Thirty seven years later, when we gather all of his musical family together for reunions ~ music is the tie that binds. My mother-in-love "prayed for her son's future wife" every day of his little life and that was ME. I was brought into this musical family! There is nothing more joyous than watching all of his family singing or sitting around a camp fire with all of our 8 children singing and playing instruments with 10 grandbabies dancing and singing! Looking into the aged faces of the ones who prayed for me and passed on such a heritage of music is almost overwhelming!
Thank you for all of your writing – I am inspired, encouraged and challenged.
Judy Kircher kevjudkirc@juno.com
I love to put praise music and hymns on in the morning to start our day. If we begin our day singing and praising God then our day seems to go much better. But when I forget to start the music in the morning, we usually have a rough day. I love to hear my daughters singing as they do their chores, instead of arguing.
Dear Susan,
I don't know if this is the right place to put this, but I have been meaning to comment on your blog for a good long time now. So here it goes:
I think we are probably the exact opposite of each other in many ways. I am a feminist, a uber-leftist,and an academic.
But I am a Christian. I was raised in the Greek Orthodox Church and worship at an Episcopal Church (when I am home in the States. I attend a left-leaning Anglican church here in England). For a long time, I have felt so much angry toward more conservative Christians and the image they project of Christianity. Reading your blog has almost completely evaporated that angry. Reading about your family, its joys and troubles, as humanized a whole group of people for me. It has made me truer to my own principles of inclusion.
Thank you. I truly believe that it is throug relationship with one another and with Christ that we find Truth. Your blog has brought be closer to the that truth.
With love in Christ,
Katie
Oh my goodness! I typed Susan instead of Stacy. I am so sorry. I am so silly sometimes.
Hi Katie B.,
Thank you for writing, and welcome to my blog! I agree with you that it really is all about relationships (Matthew 22:37-40). How can we honestly communicate the truths of God if we devour one another? You have inspired me this afternoon. May I use your comment to launch a blog post that has been brewing in my feeble brain? Also, feel free to email me privately. I'd love to chat sometime.
Stacy (got it right that time!),
Feel free to use my comment for whatever you would like :). I will certainly send you a private email soon. Thank you for being so kind and approachable.
There are so many reasons why music does and should minister to my soul. Good music is able to calm me down after a long day, or it can lift me up when I need a little boost. Music is so very important in my life!
Mary Moreland
musicboo2000@yahoo.com
i have been seeking good wholesome christian music for my family and this is right up my alley! thank you for the chance :)
What fun! I'm happy to say that we are a musical family. My husband plays trumpet beautifully, I play clarinet and my 3 children all take piano lessons and my daughter has a lovely voice already at only 7 years of age (my 11yo son can sing too, but he doesn't like to admit it – tee hee). When we are singing and playing together it brings joy to my heart.
Anyway, I noticed early on with my 3 littles that if I turned on some good, classical music during long car rides, they quieted right down as if captivated by the lovely melodies. Likewise, if I want to get down to some serious housecleaning, on goes the praise music. Of course, a great old hymn in church really uplifts me (Praise Ye the Lord, the Almighty is my personal favorite). I really believe that good music can soothe the soul.
I think that you can get to my name and e-mail by clicking on my name here, but here it is anyway:
Stephanie (Step)
stepmartin@comcast.net
A special time:
I experienced a miscarriage and said "good-bye" to a dear grandfather (Opa)who went on to glory. This happened in the same week…..
Four days after the funeral (in the same church) I attended a Judy Rogers concert……
I purchased a CD with collections of songs, singing the Psalms (nearly word for word).
This was providential…..
The title of the CD?
"Never be Shaken."
Those words of the Psalmist ministered to my heart…..and a much needed time.
May God be praised!
I guess I might as well try to express my love of music, hard as it is. I'll be more than happy for someone else to win this lovely CD; it's the beautiful descriptions of music's treasure that others have offered here which makes it irresistible to post!
Music has been a healing balm, a heavenly ship, a sharpened arrow of expression, and an angel's arms for me. Even now, in the middle of a restaurant, I can faintly hear the strains of a favorite song and be instantly captivated by it. When I grieve or ponder over the world's pains, some songs become the voice I need to cry to heaven or any soul who's listening; other times, an angry song sends invigorating fire through my veins. Some lively songs literally make my body dance while I'm lying down, while other gentle ones carry me to a place where God's beauty and I seem to be one. When I was little, I would often listen to the music from The Lion King to soothe my fever.
Holy music is indeed a blessing, and the songs we've sang in Youth Camp remind me not only of God's glory but of precious memories of fellowship and love. More than anything, good music reminds me of how God left His mark in us, how He gave us some of the best parts of Himself to share with the world and paint our hearts a joyful color.
Thank you for sharing this lovely family and idea with us, Stacy
Thank you for the chance Stacy! Our family loves music, and we sing half a dozen worship songs with our little boys, letting words of truth/inspiration/encouragement sink in before bed each night.
My email is:
jamarcil@yahoo.com
Before I began to have children, I did not understand the importance of music in the life of a believer.
I thought that music was a fleshly hobby or past time/recreational activity…
Now that I am having to think through why we do (or don't do!) things (called education!) I have rethought the importance of music and have come to realize through study of the Word that music plays a big role in God's economy.
He COMMANDS us to sing and make music to Him.
What a delightful 'obedience' that is! We sing a lot as a family and praise music is constantly on, directing us to the Lord as we go about our tasks.
We love all kinds of music from classical to contemporary (including Nathan Clark George, whose "Pull up a Chair" cd we just got and are enjoying!)
Anyway……..I would love to win the Winton's cd and find out more about them.
thanks for the recommendation.
Blessings,
Julie Cochran
mrsrbc@gmail.com
(who was just studying today that when Satan was tempting our Lord in the wilderness he wanted Him to worship him and Jesus said , NO! I WORSHIP GOD ALONE! What a great way to stomp on Satan's head every time we choose to actively worship the Living God who made us and takes care of us! amen!)
sounds wonderful . . . is the draw open to non-US residents? Sherrin Drew, sherrindrew@gmail.com
Hello Mrs. McDonald,
I would love the opportunity to win this CD for my family! We love music that points our hearts to the LORD while we work in our home. We would love the opportunity to hear this family!
Anna
http://www.gardeningformyfamily.blogspot.com/
Music ministers to the spirit in our home. When our children, of their own choosing, sit down and play through the psalter hymnal, what could be better? Hoping everyone has heard of the wonder music artist Jamie Soles!? check his awesome biblical music out at solmusic.ca
So, enter me in the drawing, and thanks for the heads-up about the Wintons. Susan at jksfamily5@gmail.com
And the winner is…Julie Cochran! Congrats, Julie! I'll be emailing you shortly.