We've been listening to some great CD's & downloads of the group "This Hope", they have an awesome Accapella Hymns group of recordings, a new to us group "The Ball Brothers" who have beautiful voices and fantastic songs, and "Go Fish" who have some peppy, energizing twists on some traditional hymns/songs. With all of these ~ you KNOW who & what they are singing about ~ the Lord. All of their songs are worship to the Lord, some in different ways and styles than folks are used to, but worship all the same. Some use instruments, some don't, some are traditional melodies & some are more contemporary melodies with the traditional words.
On the other hand, we've listened to some radio stations that are "Christian" ~ but some of the songs are questionable...I don't really think the listener should wonder what they are singing about, some of the lyrics never mention the Lord, Salvation, Faith, forgiveness, sacrifice, etc. Thats confusing, if its supposed to be a Christian song ~ there should be no question in my mind at the end of the lyrics what that song was about. Maybe, they should rethink the audience & what their message is, if you could take that song, put it on another station, and no one would ever realize it started out as a chrisitian song, then there might need to be some changes. There are plenty of contemporary songs that fit into that category ~ don't water down the message! But maybe it goes along with the churches that are watering down the gospel to "appeal" to more people.
Music is important, its personal, its style is a preference, it can be loud, soft, melodic, symphonic, sweetly sung by preschoolers in church, beautifully sung by grandma's with voices wobbly with age, etc. It plays an important part of our worship services ~ it teaches about faith, Christ, sacrifice, love, redemption, tradition, it can be a song written 100's of years ago or 10 minutes ago.
The Lord blessed us with music & instruments & voices and I love to hear them Praising His Name, Lifting His Name on High, Teaching about His faithfulness and His Holiness.
Psalm 108: 1-6
O God, my heart is steadfast: I will sing and give praise, even with my glory. Awake, lute and harp! I will awaken the dawn, I will praise You, O Lord, among the peoples, and I will sings praises to You among the nations. For your mercy is great above the heavens, and your truth reaches to the clouds. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, and Your glory above all the earthy: That Your beloved may be delivered, Save with your right hand and hear me.
Thank you Lord for music!
I agree, Donna. Music plays such a vital role in our lives as Christians, and I think it is very important that we know who a song is being sung to and about. I was flipping through several radio stations today, several were "Christian" and some weren't, but I could barely tell the difference just by the music ... that is why I generally choose to listen to cd's instead.
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