music

 

 

 "It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O most High, to proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night, to the music of the ten-stringed lyre and the melody of the harp. For you make me glad by your deeds, O Lord; I sing for joy at the works of Your hands."  

~ Psalm 92:1 

  

This past week I went through all my music, and did a little "spring cleaning"!  The past few months, I have been convicted to get rid of several songs.  Maybe I am just getting old; maybe not watching TV has recovered my desensitization; maybe Kyria has caused me to rethink some of my choices?  No matter what the reason, I have definitely felt God's prodding in this area of my life.  After talking with Skyler about it, he agreed that it would be wise to get rid of any songs that are not glorifying to God.  After all, isn't that what the arts are really supposed to be about!?  Isn't the purpose of music, art, dance, etc.  to glorify God!?  If this isn't accomplished what is the point?

 

Don't get me wrong, I do not think music must be "Christian" in order to glorify God.  I have the taste for a variety of music -  from classical to hip hop, country to rock, oldies to pop, contemporary worship songs to hymns!  I love it all!  My criteria for glorifying God with music is that the song is positive, uplifting, and/or expresses raw emotion that allows me to think on "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy" (Phil. 4:8). Sometimes that means the song simpy has a fun beat, and the lyrics are decent!

 

To be quite honest, I didn't have as many songs to clear out as I expected!  There were several songs I would consider fun and completely glorifying to God - even if they may not be considered "Christian".  However, there were others that I apparently never fully listened to!  The lyrics were disgusting!  Sure the song might have had a catchy rhythm, but the words were absolutely NOT glorifying to God!  I am a little ashamed to even admit that I owned these songs!  Yikes!

Most of the songs I had to get rid of were hip hop/pop songs that I knew didn't have the greatest message, but for the longest time I didn't think it was a big deal to keep them as long as I didn't listen to them all the time.  The beat is so fun, and I used to tell myself that once I was married these songs would be just fine! HA!  Now that I am married, these songs thoroughly gross me out!  Seriously, the lyrics pervert sex and completely degrade women!  I am so thankful that I have an amazing husband who cherishes me and treats me with respect and adoration as opposed to a piece of meat!

 

So all that being said, now that I have cleaned out some of my music, I am planning to purchase some new songs very soon!  I want to find some really great Christian songs in a variety of genres.  I listen to Christian radio often, but sometimes the best songs are ones you don't hear on the radio!  Can I get an Amen?! 

So here are a few of my favorites (and I am pretty sure only three of them are actually played on the radio):

 

Tanzania, and Praise the Lamb - Allie Rogers

The Penny Song - Caedmon's Call

New Law, and Wedding Dress - Derek Webb

Battle - Chris August

The Real Jesus, Remember, and 1000 Miles Apart - Down Here

Revelation Song - Kari Jobe

Give Me Jesus - Jeremy Camp

Pour Out, and Captivated - Shawn McDonald

Theif, and Love Song - Third Day

Your Love is a Song - Switchfoot

 

I have many others, but to be honest my "favorite list" is running a little low because I've listened to all of them so much!  In fact, I've used some of my fun Christian songs for Zumba this year, and to be honest I am ready for some new ones!  

 

If you wouldn't mind . . .  I would love to have each of you reading this share a few of your favorite songs as well as the artists who sing them!  Let's try to get a nice variety - hymns, hip hop, classical, contemporary etc.  Although, songs can be glorifying to God without be labeled "Christian", I would like to keep this list to Christian artists only.  I know there are some really great Christian songs and artists out there, in a variety of genres, that many of us don't even know about!   Perhaps by compiling this list together we can help one another get excited about glorifying God through our favorite music!  Thanks to everyone in advanced! :)