David's Christian Music Stuff

Poor old me...

2008-11-25T17:39:00.002-06:00

I haven't posted in a while. Been busy.I had to take my wife to th Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN for a bunch of tests to try to find out what is wrong with her. So we have really watched the spending on money and stuff. I see stuff I want to buy, but I don't. We have been living out of a hotel room for over a week, and eating sandwiches most night. We do try to eat out every other day. :)

So lately, I've been kind of feeling down, feeling sorry for myself and my wife... I went to Walmart tonight and this song came on the radio by Todd Agnew. I started to feel really guilty. I didn't walk to Walmart, I drove there, not walk like an older lady I saw on the street theother. I had a coat on, when I see people who don't. I had shoes. I had money to buy food and a warm place to stay, unlike the guy I saw by the freeway exit the other day. I have a cell phone, a GPS, a laptop. I feel guilty because I'm so rich...

Here is the video for the song...

Christian Metal

2008-11-15T23:20:00.000-06:00

When I got into music it was in the 80's. I didn't care for the new wave stuff, I loved metal. Hair bands! I didn't listen to Christian music. I wasn't a Christian then, although I thought I was. Only Christian music I can remember from that time was Stryper. I once bought a lot of cd's at a garage sale for next to nothing. There was a cd case but with no cd in it. The bands name was Whitecross. I had no idea what Whitecross was. So I threw the case away. Well a while back, searching around for unknown Christian music on the net, I came across the name Whitecross again. So I searched youtube like I always do. I was suprised! Whitecross is a metal band. I figured they were a "fad". So I did some more searching. They still are playing to this day. Although they are older, they can still rock, and from what I've read they are the real thing. Their sound reminds me of Ratt. I liked Ratt back in the day. But I don't care for them now. so if you like metal music and like it to be Christian, this is your band!

Just because

2008-11-15T08:10:00.003-06:00

An artist is on a "Christian Label" does not really make them a Christian band... I get Christian music alerts from Google. I find a lot of new (to me) Christian music that way. So when I come across an artist that I've never heard of I head straight to youtube.com and look em up! A lot of the music is local bands, but their fans put up videos. I think you can learn more about where an artist or band is by seeing them perform...

This morning I was reading about this band that got signed to a Christian label. They sing about trying to be positive, life struggles and stuff like that. So I looked them up on youtube. I listened to short snippet, didn't sound to bad for an audience made video. So I checked out a full video. I had to turn it off. The language was not good. The visual was not good.

I've come across this before. Band on a Christian Label, and the music is not really Christian. I'm thinking that some of these Christian music companies are just in it for the money.

That's sad...

Sometimes...

2008-11-12T20:20:00.004-06:00

I get so caught up in things of this world, I feel like I've disappointed God. Sure, I disappoint Him everyday, but most of the time I don't realise it. But there are those times that I know I just didn't get it right or do it right in that situation. At those times, the conviction on my heart just kills me.

But you know, God is a God of forgiveness. He will forgive us over and over even though we don't deserve it. Sometimes I forget this forgiveness and just fall into a pit of self pity. I forget about God. But one thing I know is that God will always be there when I come back. I come back to Him many times a days and he He is always there for me. God is awesome, God is Holy.

Election Day, November 4th, 2008

2008-11-04T06:33:00.003-06:00

Today is election day. None of us really have a great person to vote for for. Yes, I will vote as it is a privilege. I've sort of been worrying about how everything will work out depending on who wins. I think it will be bad either way. But you know, it has never effected me who the president was. I guess I have an easy life? :)

But I woke up this morning and here I was worrying again? Why should I worry about who the president is? I don't answer to him, and he sure doesn't care about me or even know that I exist. But there is someone I personally know and He knows me. He cares about me, He loves me, He takes care of me. He has has a health care plan for me, He has a financial and social program for me already set in place for me. God takes of me, not some elected government official. God takes care of my hopes and dreams. God knows and cares, not some earthly being. So no matter what happens today, I put it in Gods hand. God made today, so why should I worry about something that God is already in control of?

Anyone ever wrote a song about you?

2008-10-31T16:11:00.003-05:00

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?

2008-10-25T17:57:00.002-05:00

All you really need is Jesus

2008-10-21T22:02:00.004-05:00

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...

2008-10-19T08:26:00.003-05:00

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

2008-10-09T21:55:00.004-05:00

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

2008-10-06T22:25:00.004-05:00

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

2008-10-06T20:18:00.004-05:00

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

2008-10-04T16:06:00.002-05:00

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

Christian Music Toolbar

2008-10-04T15:33:00.003-05:00

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?

2008-10-04T14:54:00.005-05:00

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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Funny Christian Music

2008-09-30T20:33:00.004-05:00

I imagine everyone who keeps up with Christian music on the net have probably seen this. When I first saw this, I was in shock. Was this real? Is it real? Well after others had investigated it, it turned out to be real. The band is a Ska band called Sonseed. After seeing it a few more times, I was beginning to wonder if maybe they were making fun of Christian music. So I did some searching on my own and actually found a place to download the whole album that this song was on. The first few songs aren't bad really. But the music seems to go down hill then. Click Here for a zipped version of the album.

So today, this video comes across my path. I got to thinking about it. You know, these people in the video are acting silly, but they aren't afraid to do this. They would have already got enough flack from people just singing about Jesus in the first place, but they go ahead and change it up some and have some fun. Like some of us, I don't think anyone in this band would have a problem witnessing. :)

Here is the video

Brian "Head" Welch

2008-09-28T20:01:00.004-05:00

Ever hear of the guy? If you are a fan of the secular group KORN, you probably know him pretty well. Brian "Head" Welch was the lead guitarist of KORN. But a year or two ago, he left the band and got his life in order. Order isn't the right word... Let's say he got his personal relationship with Jesus Christ in order. That is a big change in some ones life. He left a world of excess in every aspect and gave it all up to follow God.

Brian didn't stop playing music, he kept making it. In fact his first album just came out recently. It is called "Save Me From Myself". The music is still hardcore like the music was in KORN, but it is positive. Brian now plays music for God and the direction he is going is to help troubled teens. Teens that are caught up in the addictions of grugs and alchohol. Brian has been there and has come back, and wants to let teenagers out there know that they can also beat these addictions. Here is the video to his first release of his new album called "Flush". This video is graphic. Brian is trying to show what his world was like before turning to Jesus.