Friday, May 25, 2012

Spanish Guitar

I'm listening to Spanish Guitar music on Grooveshark.com.  The selections are from an album of the same name.  This collection includes a wide range of styles and genres, but they are all played on acoustic guitar, sometimes including other instruments, and are either composed or performed by Spaniards or in a Spanish style, I presume! :)

Saturday, May 12, 2012

How To Breathe.

Today I'm listening in layers.  I have Yo-Yo Ma playing baroque cello in the studio while on my laptop via grooveshark.com I'm listening to Sara Groves' "All Right Here."  I'm all a-jitter.  I'm too easily made anxious.  Something's coming up that I'm looking forward to but I will either have to cut my time short w/ it or find a sub for a much-loved responsibility.  I'm favoring cutting the new thing short.  I'm also hoping on Monday to find out if there's an alternate date.  Meanwhile I feel anxious.  Part of me wants to say "so silly."  But I'm not silly!  This is my life!  God made me with an anxious nervous-system.  Who am I to say God's work is "silly?"  (Smiling.)  So I let my mind weave itself around two tracks: one calming and orderly, the other expressive of my restlessness.  It's good.  It helps me breathe.  Lord, can You use my restlessness?  Can You use my familiarity w/ anxiety?  Surely Lord, You create only that which can glorify You!  Use me, Lord.  You are my whole raison d'etre.  I love You Abba-Papa-Lord-Jesus-Christ-Holy-Spirit-Lover-of-my-soul-Eternal-One-Only-One-Beloved-Life-Life-LIFE-!!!!  Praise be Your Holy Name! :)

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

In time of grieving

'Listening to Sara Groves on Grooveshark.com  ... a little boy from our local community died this past weekend.  I don't know the family well, but I know many people who know them.  Some of my piano students are best friends with James and his siblings.  The whole community is grieving.  I'm listening to Sara Groves because I find her authentic expressions of faith (and questioning) very consoling in times of suffering.  Lord, please hold and console James' family and friends while they grieve.  May they eventually feel the peace and joy of knowing James' Joy in You, and meanwhile, may they feel the life-sustaining support of their friends.  Bless them, Lord.  Bless the whole community with Your Gracious Spirit.

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Grooveshark is Great!

Today I don't know what music I need to hear so I'm browsing Grooveshark.  At the moment I'm listening to someone else's classical piano playlist.  They've started w/ Debussy's Claire de Lune.  Lovely.

I highly recommend this site for free streaming music.

Thursday, April 12, 2012

More Haas

This morning I'm listening to "instruments at prayer, vol. 2, a celebration of the music of David Haas."  This music is very beautiful and peaceful: perfect for prayer accompaniment; much like vol. 1.  I purchased my copy at the NPM 2011, but you can purchase the MP3 download here.

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Haas Collection

This morning I'm listening to "instruments at prayer, vol. 1, a celebration of the music of David Haas."  This music is very beautiful and peaceful: perfect for prayer accompaniment.  I purchased my copy at the NPM 2011, but you can also purchase it here.

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

All Right Here

I'm having a lovely quiet moment cradling my new kitty while we listen to Sara Grove's All Right Here.  This whole album is especially beautiful and nourishing!