My Case for Contemporary Music

One of my dear friends posted a link on her facebook page to an article - My Journey Away From Contemporary Worship Music. I'll admit when I saw it, I cringed a little. I thought this will be another article telling what's wrong with contemporary style churches and their music.

I avoided reading the article for a few days because I didn't want to read it with a negative mindset, but I was still curious to see what the author would say.

As I clicked on the article, negative thoughts came to mind. Why are many traditionalists so stuck in their ways? Why are some contemporary attenders insistent on poking fun of hymns and traditional style churches? Don't both win people to Christ? Can't we all just get along?

I knew I needed to change my thought process so I began to pray. Even though I knew this article would be stating some negative things about contemporary music, I still wanted to go into it with a learning attitude. I prayed that God would show me if there was anything wrong with contemporary music and I prayed for a open mind if He needed to show me something.

This is what the author said that stood out to me:

"While contemporary worship seemed to take the listener on an exciting and emotional rollercoaster, the old hymns engaged the mind with deep and glorious truths that when sincerely pondered caused a regenerated heart to humbly bow before its King."  . . . "Instead they were being challenged to learn, not merely a new word, but how to ponder the things of God deeply when we sing His praises." 

I have some thoughts --

1. I grew up in a church that sang hymns only. There were many words that I had no clue what they meant. It did not cause me to attend church with a dictionary so that I could look up words and then begin to worship in awe because I suddenly understood the meaning. No, it caused me to wonder why we were singing songs when we had no clue what they meant.

How could we have true meaningful worship when there was little understanding of what we were singing? I didn't see anyone closing their eyes and soaking it in or meditating on profound truths. I saw people standing there, staring at their hymnals as if they had no clue what the next words were. That is one thing I never understood -- How could you not know the words? You've heard these songs for over 20 years and you don't know the words?

I saw many people with grim expressions. They did not look happy. And I saw many people that weren't singing.

2. The author states that the theology of hymns is typically more sound or healthy than much of contemporary worship music. I found that interesting because I have many times googled the words in songs and found the scripture that went along with the song. Or I have listened to the writers of the songs tell about why they wrote them. I've heard stories of reading scripture and God speaking to them. I've heard stories of them writing songs based upon their favorite Bible verses or the verses God was using to teach them something. In fact, when I write songs, it is usually from a quiet time of reading scripture or from a sermon that spoke to me.

The song that author speaks of in this article is One Thing Remains. When I googled those words I found some connection to Psalm 136.  "Praise the Lord! He is good. God's love never fails. Praise the God of all gods. God's love never fails. Praise the Lord of lords. God's love never fails."

And then I googled the specific song title with scripture and found a blogger name Lauren that gave scripture for each line. You can find these lists at her blog, Fragrant Like Incense. She also does this for other contemporary worship songs.

I'm not sure how a song based upon scripture could be considered not healthy or sound.

3. I have also heard testimonials from people that God reached through contemporary songs. Just turn on K-Love. They get emails, tweets, facebook messages, and phone calls from people that were depressed, suicidal, and had no hope. The testimonials mention specific songs at a specific time in their life -- songs that God used to reach them where they were. How could one possibly criticize that?

God uses many things to reach many people from many different places in life. He can use hymns and He can use contemporary songs. I have a feeling that in heaven we'll be singing both.

It is not my place to put God in a box and say what He can and cannot do. I have done that too many times. I cannot limit His power and wonderful ways He works in and through people.

The picture above was taken by me at a Big Daddy Weave concert. People were definitely worshipping at this concert. My favorite song by Big Daddy Weave is "Overwhelmed".  

God's Kindness Leads to Repentence

I've mentioned before about growing up in legalism. Words cannot describe for me the tightening feeling I have when I think of it. It truly brings about a physical feeling within.

Religious people do like to make long lists of rules. I grew up with the long list of rules. Sing hymns, check. Wear skirts, check. Don't smoke, check. Wear a suit and tie to church, check. Ugh, it makes me nauseous. Jesus had the final say, so why are people trying to add to his word? Religion only leads to despair and hopelessness and makes us feel inadequate. Religion brings arrogance and pride when we accomplish the list of rules. Jesus brings humble joy.

When I watched this video with Mark Driscoll I felt that tightening feeling, but also felt so relieved and happy that I am no longer a part of legalism's bondage.





God's kindness will lead us to repentence. Romans 2:4

We love because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19




Kindness by Chris Tomlin

Open up the skies of mercy and rain down the cleansing flood
Healing waters rise around us and hear our cries Lord, let 'em rise

It's your kindness Lord that leads us to repentence
Your favor Lord is our desire
It's your beauty Lord that makes us stand in silence
Your love, your love, is better than life

We can feel your mercy falling, You are turning our hearts back again
Hear our praises rise to heaven, and draw us near Lord, meet us here

It's your kindness Lord that leads us to repentence
Your favor Lord is our desire
It's your beauty Lord that makes us stand in silence
Your love, your love, is better than life

Crazy Love

I started reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan about a month or so ago. I haven't consistently read a chapter a day or even a chapter a week. I've found myself reading here and there and I find myself going back to reread, highlight, and think upon things.

If you've followed this much neglected blog since the beginning, you'll know that I've felt that we've missed something. Having grown up in a very much legalistic, religious, rule-based church has left me wondering, seeking, and frustrated. Wondering where we went wrong, seeking more of a relationship with Him, and frustrated at the legalistic judgment that took so long to remove from my head.

If you've ever wondered if we're missing something, then this book is for you.

From the preface:

This book is written or those who want more Jesus. It is for those who are bored with what American Christianity offers. It is for those who don't want to plateau, those who would rather die before their convictions do.

I hope reading this book will convince you of something: that by surrendering yourself totally to God's purposes, He will bring you the most pleasure in this life and in the next. I hope it affirms your desire for "more God" -- even if you are surrounded by people who feel they have "enough God." I hope in inspires confidence if you have questioned and doubted the commitment of American church. I want to affirm your questioning, even while assuring you there is hope.

Are you satisfied with thinking you're doing ok by avoiding drinking, sex, drugs, smoking, and pornography or do you desire more of Him? Are you desperately seeking?

Bible Burning

I received this video today via email. It invoked a lot of different feelings within me. I am in shock of their ignorance, ashamed of the same name that we share, grief for those that will be harmed through their acts, and anger for further harming the cause of Christ.

I'm not afraid to be different from the rest of the world, but it has to be for the right cause. Christ didn't come to burn books. He came to give the greatest gift imaginable.

It saddens me to think of those that will further harden their hearts towards Christianity because of this book burning. Think of how many lives could be touched if we were to put this same passion towards helping the sick, the poor, and the hurting. What kind of mark would we leave with others if we chose a servant's heart?

Lord, please help my actions and intentions to be pure so that I may help soften people's hearts toward You.

Freedom in Christ

I've been hearing and learning a lot about freedom lately. Here's a verse I was reading and thinking upon today . . .

You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. Galatians 5:13

This whole thing of freedom is great. I am no longer bound to the legalistic chains that bind. I grew up with a horrible double standard.

"Don't listen to secular music." I was told this while many in the church secretly listened to secular music, but told no one because they'd be looked down upon.

"Don't listen to contemporary Christian music." It was treated as if it were of the devil, yet those people that shamed it were listening to secular music. Hmmm, I'd rather be listening to contemporary Christian music that uplifts the Lord then to hide my secular music in shame. These rules just make no sense.

"Men should not wear shorts." One time my husband came straight from work to a men's softball practice and he was wearing knee length military shorts. The pastor came to him and asked him not to do that again. Also, at one time the church/Christian school had a note on the door that said, "Thank you for not wearing shorts inside our building." This was by far the worst one ever! We used to have a van that would go around and pick up Marines for church. If the van driver saw Marines walking down the street, he would just stop and ask if they wanted to come to church. Of course, they were usually wearing shorts since they were out walking. Imagine how badly it made them feel to be invited to church, but then get there and see that sign. A few years ago, I found out that the school's boys' basketball team was wearing knee length basketball shorts. I was pretty much livid. It made me so angry that they had shoved these rules down my throat, put up signs, and shunned others that wore shorts, but suddenly it became ok. Whatever!!!! I do not have a problem with people wearing shorts, but don't shun them for it and then say it's ok. Geez!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Now, there are some issues with freedom too. Some people take it as a license to do whatever they want. If you'll look at the verse above again, you can see that it says, "in your freedom, do not indulge in sinful nature".

Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin." John 8:34

A Bit About Me

Since I can remember, I have always attended church. That's not to say that I've always done the right thing.

I was raised in a very legalistic church. It's a wonder I didn't rebel. I'm thankful that I didn't. Being raised in the legalistic environment is a part of who I am. Now that I'm away from it, it is easier for me to see the faults of this kind of teaching. Sometimes it's hard not to see things in that light. Sometimes I have to give myself a check up.

Liberals will say I'm too conservative. Conservatives might say I'm too liberal. I'd call myself very conservative though.

I hope you enjoy this journey with me as I share my thoughts.

Until then . . . I'm desperately seeking.