I am an obsessive lover of books. This, of course, is no big revelation, my dear friends. If you have known me for even one hour, you know that I love to read. In fact, as you are reading this post, I am likely running around my house trying to make it look like three children, an 85 pound yellow Labrador Retriever, and two adults don’t really live here because my beloved book club is making the pilgrimage (about an hour drive) to our house this evening! I can’t wait. I love them so.
But today? I’m going to share about another love of mine – music. When I am asked about the kind of music I enjoy, I reply that I love it all except anything that is blatantly offensive to other people – lyrics that degrade race, gender, beliefs, etc. are not OK with me. I choose not to listen.
I even like the “new country” – it seems like I often hear people make comments such as “I like all music except country” thus hinting that country music is the “red-headed stepchild” genre of the music business (I am so sorry if you are a red-head AND a stepchild – I mean this only as a figure of speech. Please don’t leave me hate comments.) However, there’s a “new style” of country that is not the twangy-Tammy-Wynette-style of country.
This is the exact same scenario with recent Christian music. Christian music was once labeled as “syrup-y”, “whiny”, the niche that attracted artists who could not make it in any other genre. People who listened to country music were considered to be “goody two shoes” and “Bible beaters” that were out of touch with reality. Not so anymore, friends. So not so.
JJ and I were introduced to Christian music about a year ago and for a picky music lover such as myself, I must admit that I was pleasantly surprised and awestruck that such great music was coming out of this genre. It’s not what it used to be and it was clearly evident when we first started to listen to MercyMe, Third Day, Switchfoot, and Jars of Clay to name a few. Admittedly, I had been close-minded to this genre. I love Van Morrison, Keb Mo, Coldplay, Jack Johnson, Train, and Dierks Bentley so I couldn’t imagine that Christian music could offer something I would actually like.
I was wrong.
Without further ado, here are the “Top 5 Songs” that are touching my soul these days…Want to hear them? Click on them below – it will take you to another screen where you will click again then listen and enjoy!
1. “Call My Name” by Third Day
3. “For Your Glory” by Decemberadio
4. “The Valley Song” by Jars of Clay
5. “Stand for You” by Jonny Diaz
What about you? What songs/groups/artists move you closer to God? I would love to know!
Have an awesome and random weekend, friends! For more “Caffeinated Randomness” click here.
Now you need to introduce your children to Christian music! Here is my favorite!
http://yancynotnancy.com/
Enjoy!
I’m a Casting Crowns fan. I like “Stained Glass Masquerade” among others. And Point of Grace’s “You are Good” (I think that’s the name) blesses me.
.-= GlowinGirl´s last blog ..My Favorite SPRING Things (Friendly Friday) =-.
I know exactly what you mean! I was born and bred on country (Conway Twitty was my first concert), so I am used to loving that which isn’t popular. Don’t get me wrong; I still jam to Lady Gaga and Beyonce, but I LOVE Christian “rock”. TobyMac, Big Daddy Weave, Jars of Clay…they are some of my favorite, and Isabel’s, too.
Music is such a great way for God to make His presence known in our everyday life. When I left the hospital after the death of my dad, “I Can Only Imagine” was playing on my radio. I literally felt God’s arms wrapped around me as I cried my heart out in that parking garage.
.-= Heather´s last blog ..Fearless =-.
You have excellent taste in music! Just throwing in my 2 cents, but have you heard of Needtobreathe? They’re my new obsession. “Something Beautiful” and “Washed by the Water” are two of my favorites.
They will be performing at the Vintage Indiana wine festival on June 5 (day of my bachelorette party) and I’m trying to make this a part of our pit stop! :)
We love Brandon Heath and Toby Mac among many others. We’re planning a trip to Kings Island with the kiddos this July for Spirit Song. This is a weekend where Christian artists put on a concert in the park. It is July 8-10 and includes Third Day, Casting Crowns, Toby Mac, Chris Tomlin, David Crowder Band, Family Force 5, Tenth Avenue North, Fireflight, Brandon Heath, Remedy Drive, The Afters, KJ-52, The Basement Experience with Matt Pitt, Abandon, Tom Richter, The Skit Guys. Our kiddos love Brandon Heath and cannot wait to see him in person. Kings Island also just finished transforming the children’s area from Nickelodeon to Peanuts which should be fun. Your kiddos are probably at the age now where they would enjoy it too. Great Wolf Lodge is right next door in the same parking lot for overnight fun:)
i have discovered “the message” on xm radio. all christian music. LOVE IT!
current faves: casting crowns (love love love them)
jeremey needham (sounds alot like jason mraz)
barlowe girl
third day
and tons more….but alot of them i don’t know the names of the groups, i just recognize the songs when they come on. it’s so nice to just let the radio play and not worry about having to mute it or end up with my kids asking uncomfortable lyric queries later on! (but i will admit that i often go between the message, 80s on 8, and 90s on 9. man i miss the “old days” of music!)
.-= Alison´s last blog ..babies and gators (just not at the same time) =-.
I love listening to Travis Cottrell. I absolutely LOVE “You Are Good” by Israel Houghton. Awesome song. I like Chris Tomlin’s “Amazing Grace/My Chains Are Gone”. I could keep listing song, after song, after song.
Hope you have a great weekend!
Karen
.-= Karen´s last blog ..Conversations Over Coffee =-.
You’re right – country and Christian have gotten much better! ;)
I love, love, LOVE Casting Crowns. I love a lot of groups, but there is just something about their lyrics that always makes me pause. Which reminds me, I should really go to iTunes….
.-= Andrea´s last blog ..Have You Heard: On Topic Study =-.
Girl, I heart me some Third Day, I heart these.
Thx, g
.-= Ginger´s last blog ..Honor Him with Beauty =-.
Love your open honesty! Me too!! I’m still cautious though…I want there to be no doubt that I’m singing about GOD and not some chick who stole my cowboy boots, etc. HA! Smiles and happy CR!
I love every single one of those artists and songs!!! You’ve got great taste my friend! :)
I’m absolutely horrible at knowing who sings what, but I LOVE me some Mandisa!!! I really only listen to Christian, Jazz and country. Every now and then I’ll flip through the stations when I’m in the car, but I always end up going back to those 3. :)
~melody~
I am a HUGE fan of Casting Crwons. They sound a lot like Nickelback and 3 Doors Down. Really just can’t say how much I love them enough. And their concerts are all about sharing the gospel-not just entertaining! My fave album by them is “Lifesong.”
By the way…I left an award for you on my blog today!
http://www.suburbanstereotype.com/2010/04/just-what-girl-needs-to-feel-good-about.html
.-= MandyP´s last blog ..Friday Follow =-.
I spelled “Casting Crowns” wrong. Whoops!!!!!!!!
.-= MandyP´s last blog ..Friday Follow =-.
Most of the artists you listed are some of my husband and my top favorites. I think we have all of the Jars albums. =) Some I didn’t recognize because we don’t have a Christian radio station where we live now, so thank you for the leads on who we need to look up. I really enjoy Phillips, Craig and Dean…they have too many awesome worship and praise songs for me to list. I find myself singing their songs even if I haven’t heard them in months. Jennifer Knapp and Rebecca St. James are a couple other favorites. I don’t mind cleaning and doing other housework so much if their music is playing. You should check out Steven Curtis Chapman…especially his “Fingerprints of God” song, which he wrote for his daughter. If you get a chance to go to Spirit Song at King’s Island, go. You will be blessed. We went a long time ago and saw Steven Curtis Chapman, Jennifer Knapp and several others. It was amazing.