Music Monday: Music that Heals + Giveaway

Those of you who know me or who have read this blog for any length of time know that I LOVE Andrew Peterson's music. So it seemed like a natural place to start Music Monday. To tell you the story of me and Andrew Peterson's music. (Isn't it funny that you can have a whole significant relationship with someone's art without them really knowing you exist?)

I didn't discover Andrew Peterson until shortly before his third album, Love and Thunder, released. He was on tour with Nichole Nordeman at the time, whom I loved. And actually, Jill Phillips and Andy Gullahorn were there, too, but that's another story. The truth of the matter is at the time I was in deep emotional pain. My heart felt like a wasteland of pain, and the music of Andrew Peterson was like a balm to my wounds. I can tell you all the reasons why I love his music now--it's poetic and beautifully crafted and rich with meaning. But at the time, it was like a message from God. And as I listened to the four or five songs he sang, yes even the penny song ("Loose Change"), it was as if they were living and breathed air under the tiny wings of a feeling long neglected in my heart....hope.

So within a week I had his two previous cds and his newest one on order. And I discovered that I loved everything he had written. And that listening to his music was like listening to my own thoughts, only written more beautifully. And I went to see him in concert again a month later. And so my great and lasting-to-this-day relationship with Andrew Peterson's music was born.

I think I'm supposed to actually make it possible for you to listen to some of his music, but I can't right now. But I think you can go over to youtube yourself and do a search on Andrew Peterson. And something beyond your imagination will occur Well, some videos will pop up, I just like to throw in a Phantom of the Opera quote every once in awhile. And hopefully you will find it worth your while after reading this post. Also, he is quite the writer and blogs at the Rabbit Room. You should also visit his website where you can read his past journal entries which are also worth your time.

To make up for being unable to provide you with a song to listen to, I am having my first ever blog giveaway! Yay, I'm very excited. So, I will be giving away a copy of Andrew Peterson's (who else?) The Far Country. All you have to do is leave a comment with an email address where I will be able to reach you. Or alternately, you can email me with same information. Then, a week from today on the next Music Monday, I'll announce the winner!

Music Monday is hosted by The Secret Life of Kat. You can visit The Secret Life of Kat to read more Music Monday entries.