Anyone ever wrote a song about you?

Came across this video this morning. I don't care all that much for "Rap" music. But when the song pretty much is written about YOU, you have to like it, or maybe I don't like it as the conviction is pretty overwhelming, at least for me.

This from an artist that goes by Lecrae. From the article I read, he doesn't get much play on Christian radio, but he does have the #8 album on the secular Hip Hop chart right now. He has it going on. He is using the talent that God gave him for great things. Maybe he will make big time or maybe he won't. But from listening to some of his music as long as he is glorifying God, that is all that matters to him.

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How about a little Gospel?

All you really need is Jesus

A few month ago there was a skit that was performed for the youth group at my church. It shows how awesome the love God has for us. Here is a video of the same skit performed at a Lifehouse concert with the band playing along. This same song was played during the skit I saw in person. The reaction from the crowd in this video at the end is the same I experienced, with all the adults included. Wasn't a dry eye in the room...

When you get down to the basics, all we ever need is Jesus, the rest is just temporary.

It's been a week, and I've been weak...

I can't believe it has been a week since I've posted here. Sometimes life gets in the way, I get lazy, or I just don't seem to care as much. I have been busy for the last week. I have a lot going on and some of it is now over. I have a lot more coming at me next month. I'm not worried though, God is with me and I'm pretty much in contact with Him all the time, although I'm severely messing up all day long. :) But I know he is there!

But what really brings me up when life gets me down is Chrisitian Music. I truly believe that God sometimes helps people write a song that they can turn to, to help lift them up and bring them closer to Him. Here is one I really like.

One of my favorite kinds of Christian Music

One of my favorite things is to come across a scripture and I realize that there is a song written from that scripture. I'm sure a lot of the Christian music out there is inspired from scriptures. But I really love when someone takes a scripture and use words and the concept of the verse to make a song. Petra is a good example. They used "1 Corinthians 13:4: Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud" and made a beautiful song from it. Here is a video:

Petra - Love

Skillet, I like what this guy has to say

I have just recently sort of got into Skillet. Remember, I'm 42 years old, Skillet is more of what my kids would listen to. So for this these newer Christian rock bands to get my attention, they had better be able to grab me and pull me in! I came across this song/video a couple months ago and it really grabbed me. Great lyrics, the progressive orchestra and guitars at the beginning of the song, the crunching guitar, and the raspy voice of the lead singer just caught me. Then those powerful background vocals from the 2 females in the band. When these 4 harmonize, it just makes a powerfull sound.

So I came across this article in a newsletter I get from StereoTruth.net There are a lot of Christian Bands out there that just use the Christian Music or lets say "Faith" moniker as a way to make money. So when I come across an article or interview about a band or someone in a band, I try to read it. Helps me to see where they are coming from. Well this article is Ben Casica the guitar player putting out some views, and I really liked it! Here is part of it:

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Ive been reading the book, Searching For God Know’s What by Donald Miller. Been thinking loads about how our faith needs to be relationship based. Not just a set of rules… It’s gotta be about knowing and loving people and knowing and loving God…. and living a right life with the motivation from wanting to honor a loving God as opposed to wanting to work your way to His approval. I love the truth that our standing with God doesnt change. That his heart towards his children is always love. That it doesnt change when we feel like we’re doing good or doing bad. That He doesnt love us less on bad days and more on good days. It’s consistently a heart full of love. that He always has his best in mind for us, We just must be willing to surrender to Him in all things.

One of the other things Ive been thinking about a lot lately is with the economy. I wont get into all of my thoughts on that but what I will say, is that no matter goes on in our country. That we can know peace. That our refuge is in a Strong tower that is not shaken with the economic hardships or disaster. We must find our hope in God alone. We must put our trust in God alone. Then we will know his peace in these times.
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Wow, he has it right in my book. I can now appreciate Skillet's music a lot more now, that I know how their view of God is! Here are 2 videos of songs I like from Skillet:


Rebirthing



This is an audience shot for the song, The Last Night, so the audio isn't all that great, but it still sounds good to me. :)

Christian Symphonic Metal, a band called HB

I do not not know what HB stands for, maybe "Heaven Bound". But this is an awesome Christian band. They are from Finland and pretty much sing in their native language. If you like metal guitars, drums, and a full orchestra, and keyboards and all that jazz fused into a power sound and a female with a powerfull voice, you just might like this. From what I've seen in videos of their concerts, they put on a full blown show. Even with the lyrics being in Finnish, you can still feel the power of god working in this. It is awesome to see the audience with their hands in air.

They do have an english version of one of their albums released, called Enne. Here is a video from their latest DVD.





Here is their Myspace page. There is more about the band and the audio player has 2 of their english versions on it. Great band.
Click Here

Joy Whitlock

Came across this. Really interesting. Looks like God is working in her life.

Christian Music Toolbar

This is pretty cool. If you like tool bars in your browser and you like Christian music, you might like this.

Click Here

Can a Christian be Gay?

Of course. I know that God does not like homosexuality, it is a sin. I can't condemn/condone/judge someone for being gay. I have to leave that up to them and God to work out. But with Ray Boltz coming out recently, it seems to me that gay Christian artists are starting to be in the news more and more.

I came across this singer, Shawn Thomas, Read Here. So I looked him up on Youtube. Very good song/video. It has a good message. Even showed it to my wife and she liked it. She was suprised when I told her he was gay.

I'm between a rock and hard place. Should Chrisitian music from gay people be accepted? Just because they are a homosexual does that mean their music can't witness to someone, or even praise or worship God? Sin is sin, EVERYONE is a sinner. I reckon as long as their music is about worshipping and praising God and not telling me I have to accept them because of their sin, I guess I'm fine. Here is the video.

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