Music can connect us to each other in ways that other mediums sometimes cannot. So many people can relate to song lyrics because we each go through our own struggles and someone else puts it into words that we can’t always express ourselves. Sometimes it helps knowing someone else out there in this crazy world went through the same thing or just gets it when the others around you don’t. Music can keep you productive when played in the background while you study, cook, clean, work… Sometimes it’s not even the lyrics but just the catchy beat that uplifts you after an exhausting or hectic day. Whatever your reason for listening, music is wonderful and definitely appreciated around the world.
Even so, some years ago I did the unthinkable to the world and gave up secular music. I was called radical, crazy, extremist, a fanatic, and some people just gave me strange, incredulous, or worried looks or comments. No, I didn’t join a cult and I wasn’t brainwashed. No need to be concerned. I just started really listening to what I had been only hearing before. Not just the catchy tunes or beats, but what were the lyrics actually saying and promoting? Were these artists being good role models or were they dancing and dressing inappropriately in their videos and concerts? Whether it was true or not, some artists were claiming to have literally sold their souls, be possessed by “spirits” on stage, or outright worship and follow Satan. True or not, not something a Christian should align themselves with in any way. Light can have no fellowship with darkness. Did I then think okay, I’ll just sort through all the music, lyrics, videos, artists and weed out the bad ones? Sure, I considered that before going cold-turkey. However, I asked myself why I wanted to listen to any of it? Just because it sounded good? Songs often can and do get stuck in your head even when you’re not currently listening to them. What kinds of things was I putting into my head? Am I saying all secular music is bad? No. In fact, some “old-school” music generally seems nicer than what’s out there today and certain songs can bring about some nostalgia when they come on the speakers at my local Goodwill or somebody happens to be playing one. As for the rest however, why listen to songs that, if they don’t promote promiscuity or getting drunk, they make you focus on negative things? Even many love songs are about break-ups. I wanted my focus to be on God, not the world. I wanted to praise God more and focus on good things, not bad ones. Secular movies and TV shows are another story, but God’s working on it. He really had me cut a lot of that out of my life as well and my life is better for it. Now I’m more selective, but still have a ways to go. Generally, even if the world doesn’t get it, at least Christians who still listen to secular music can usually respect that choice. Now, here’s where it can get controversial amongst Christians. Some take it even further and reject certain types of music, such as rock or rap altogether. Here is where I think it is up to each believer to read their Bible and go with their conscience. The Bible says to test all things and hold onto the good while avoiding evil. If you believe it is wrong, then don’t listen. I don’t think it is something to divide over when we are to avoid petty quarrels. However, I do take it seriously enough that I believe it is like eating meat sacrifice to idols. It was important enough for Paul to discuss in Acts chapters 8 through 11. Go through and read it if you haven’t already. And while it is permissible to do certain things, that doesn’t mean we should as we should always be thinking of others. Don’t put stumbling blocks down for others. That being said, the following is for people that are looking for more than just K-Love. Even with the songs on this radio-station, be careful as not all are doctrinally sound and some are just from more wolves in sheep’s clothing looking to make money with generic lyrics that the world loves. Many have itching ears for “positive” and “encouraging” things, such as the false prosperity gospel, but will not listen to things that call them sinners in need of repentance. Love is good, but it’s not all about love. Especially when there is no mention of God and just the generic term “love” that could be defined any which way by all sorts of listeners. Where is the message calling us all to repentance? Songs that convict us with Scripture, calling out our sin or hypocrisy, and keeping our mind and focus on the Lord’s work? Provoking us to good deeds (as fruit of our faith, not as prerequisites for salvation) and not just paying lip service with our hearts far from him. Songs asking us and reminding us, what are we currently doing for God? Where is the fruit of our faith and repentance? The world shall know us by our fruits, but if we produce no fruit, they will not know we are Jesus’ disciples. That’s what’s missing in a lot of contemporary “Christian” music, and it is no wonder because the companies are now owned by secular recording studios that produce the music of the world. The believers have become yoked with unbelievers, and that has produced some bad fruit. Any good fruit is purely the work of God, who allows His message to flourish from human lips in spite of our sinful world. The psalms are full of poetry praising God and they say sing to the Lord a new song (even though there is nothing new under the sun). God just doesn’t like hypocrisy. Anyway, I happen to love rock. From the moment I discovered it and on, old-school classic rock to modern day alternative rock. I couldn’t get enough of it. Well, when I first gave up secular music I thought all that was out there was church music and K-Love. Not much variety there and definitely no rock. However, I was pleasantly surprised and grateful that I found a bunch of songs from older artists online that had even more powerful lyrics and music than what’s out there today. These songs actually talked about sin (sometimes specifically naming the sin), not being a friend to the ways of the world, judgment and the end times, being the salt and lights in the world. Truly Scripturally-based, and yet stuff you don’t hear on the radio today! All we hear today is about love, and some don’t even name who they are talking about so it could be a romantic partner people can substitute in there instead of God or Jesus. They could be singing to an “unknown” New Age, even female god for all you know if they don’t call Him Father and name Jesus. But what about the past? Back then, they had some fluff in there as well, but in general many of their songs seemed more meaningful. The musical styles also varied whereas a lot of today’s sound musically similar and repetitive. Not that I don’t like a few of the modern songs too. I do. Originals sometimes, but other times while I find the originals to be “meh,” I feel like they sing them better at my church than they sound on the radio. Like they sound more sincere and heartfelt. However, don’t trust me as sometimes there is a way that seems right to man but that leads to death. I don’t wish to lead anyone onto a path that seems right but isn’t. I just can’t help but think that if a Christian rock or rap song leads a soul to God then it cannot concretely be “of the devil” because a house divided would fall. While I don’t personally like most rap, I think it speaks to a lot of people out there and can lead them to Christ. I think I’ve heard a few sincere-sounding ones. However, I personally love rock and when I found Christian rock that was passionate and meaningful, I thanked God He let me find it. Whether it is like a nicotine patch for smokers who quit, or actually a “good” thing, it has helped me in my journey with Christ. Is it something I think I’ll need or be into forever? Who knows. All I know is that at this point, I listen to many of these songs because I want to be constantly praising and thinking of God, the body of Christ, and how I can better love and serve my neighbor. I will caution that even in the past, not all songs were or are doctrinally sound. Again, read your Bible and test all things. I don’t like every single song from every group, sometimes only a couple. The first ones maybe almost all. Don’t trust me, trust The Word that speaks truth and always pay attention to the lyrics and whether they speak actual truth or not. Stick with what you know and have if you like. However, if you are either currently only into secular music, are curious as to what this “crazy chick” is now listening to, or are looking for more than K-Love, then the following are some artists you might consider looking into. My favorites are in bold and runners-up in italics. I’ve also made things easier by featuring them in various playlists on my YouTube channel so you don’t actually have to look up anything but SeekJesus15 X on YouTube. If you’re into punk rock, definitely the Altar Boys and The Lifesavors (with an “o” not an “e”). Mike Stand from the Altar Boys also did some solo projects which were pretty nice. Undercover is pretty good too. If you want some softer rock but good messages, try David Meece, Steve Camp, or Joe English. If you want things you can dance to, try Kenny Marks or Larry Norman (not the best Christian example, but at least a few noteworthy songs). Want some good messages and more piano in your rock? Keith Green (he was passionate and seemed like a good Christian example when he was alive). If you’re into the harder rock, maybe try Daniel Band (I like many of their songs but not all), Petra (I only like maybe a dozen or so of their songs), or Jerusalem (I only like a few of their songs…). I don’t really like the super heavy metal types so if you want that look elsewhere. They exist, but I don’t find them “good” or even nice to listen to (jarring). You may disagree, but that’s my opinion. Classic rock? You could try Scott Springer, Forerunner, Allies, Halo, or White Heart. Softer rock? Maybe try Stephen Curtis Chapman’s first 3 albums (First Hand, More to This Life, and Real Life Conversations – For the Sake of the Call is pretty nice too but it’s 90s, not the same as the 80s stuff), Randy Stonehill, or Crossfire. Somewhere in the middle? There’s Rick Cua, Scott Wesley Brown, or Russ Taff. Miss the 80s? There’s also David Martin, Morgan Cryar, Randy Matthews, Rick Crawford, David Edwards, and Larry Bryant. If you like the blues, there’s Darrell Mansfield. If you like southern, country style rock try Brent Lamb. If you’re into 80s pop, try Farrell & Farrell or Mickey & Becki. Other mostly 80s you might be interested in: David & the Giants, Servant, Mylon LeFevre & Broken Heart, Connie Scott (her Hold On CD), Don Francisco, Michael Card, Denny Correll, Michael James Murphy, Geoff Moore & The Distance, DeGarmo & Key, Barry McGuire, Roby Duke, Dion DiMucci, Crossfire, Benny Hester, Steve Fry, Chris Christian, Tim Sheppard, Paul Smith, Michael O’Brien, Phillip Sandifer (Constant CD & Keeping the Dream Alive), Sacred Fire, Sweet Comfort Band, Lenny LeBlanc, Wayne Watson, Gary Chapman, and so on. Miss the 50s? Like the blues or swing? Try The Lifters. Miss the 60s? Try Out of Darkness (psychedelic type), Sons of Thunder, The Crossbeats, The Envoys, The Pilgrims (early Beatles-type), The Joystrings. Miss the 70s? Try Chuck Girard, Dan Peek, The Imperials, The Archers, Steve Archer, Tim Sheppard, or Brush Arbor. If you’re looking for satire and don’t mind controversial lyrics: Steve Taylor. Be VERY careful with his lyrics though. I had to ask myself whether I liked a song based on the beat or what it was saying, and whether or not it would be beneficial to have a particular lyric in my head or not (satire states the opposite of what would be said in a more straight-forward song, like sarcasm, so again, be careful, test it, and only hold onto what is good). Speak Spanish and like older styles of music too? Try: Pueblo de Dios, Eduardo Santoro, Charlie Bustos, Marcelo Patrono, La Tierra Prometida, Vox Dei (a bit harder-rock), Libertad Divina (more modern cumbias), La Roca (there’s 2, one from Argentina and the other from El Salvador, both with some nice songs), Mexico 80, Generacion de Jesus, and El Rapto. For even more Spanish old-school styles try: Grupo Jaspe, Los Freddys de Cristo, Los Ex Pasteles Verdes, Enrique Gomez, Javier Morin Rodriguez, Josmar Flores, Eusebio Ramirez y su Grupo Fortaleza, Pedro Parvina, Oscar Ruiz, Oscar Medina, Gustavo Lima, Adrian Juniors, Pablo Patricio Rojo, and Polo Negrete. 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July 2020
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