Christian Music

This could really be an entry in either of my blogs.  My other is a music blog, and this post is about music.  However, it has a lot to do with Christianity as well.

While listening to others scan radio stations during a car ride several days ago, someone mentioned, "Isn't it funny how you can tell something's Christian without even really listening to the song?"  Their point: Christian music just sounds different; usually light, airy, and just recorded differently.

I, personally, don't listen to much Christian music.  In general, if it's not Steven Curtis Chapman or Jars of Clay, I'm going to change the station.  Jars, especially, has addressed frustrations in the Christian life, in life in general.  I feel that Christian music too often tries to be happy - that's the way it sounds to my ears.  However, if my memory serves me right (which is usually not the case, I'm sad to admit), there are more depressing/angry psalms than there are happy ones.  Why can't more Christian music talk about real life?

Actually, I'd rather see Christians making "secular" or "real" music.  What's wrong with making good music that doesn't glorify sex outside marriage or drugs that doesn't necessarily mention God?  Maybe all the listeners won't realize that the artist is using his talents to glorify God.  What's the big deal?  I listen to music all the time, knowing many of the artists I listen to aren't out to glorify God, and I still realize it's a God-given gift they are using to make music.  Does that lessen the quality of the music?  In my opinion, no.

All this to say, I think there are too many Christians ministering to Christians.  We have segregated ourselves from the world, not allowing them in by use of religion and (good and bad) theology in every song.

I love what my pastors and music director have done on Sunday mornings.  We have two song slots that break up the sermon into three parts.  One is an offertory, and the other is a song of reflection.  These slots have been filled by everything from James Taylor to Rihanna to the Beatles to Mr. Mister.  Sure, we've done quite a few songs by Christian artists, but our leadership is not scared to play secular music either.  Our pastors are great at pointing out the truth in the lyrics - the need for a Savior and how that need manifests itself.

For a little more on this, visit my friend Billy's blog post from June 3.

God's Bigger Than Our Decisions

Several friends have made the passing comment to me recently that they hope they are doing what God wants them to do.  I tell them, "God's bigger than our decisions."  He can make good of our mess.  Whew!  What a relief.

Please try to read this without thinking too much about predestination/free will.  What I am trying to say is that we really can't know whether some decisions were right or wrong.  For instance, the last time I encountered this situation was in a conversation about deciding to go to grad school.  My friend said he hoped grad school was the right decision, rather than going out into the full-time work force.  We can't know which is the "right" decision.  However, he has made his decision, and God is going to use that for good.  Had he chosen the other path, God would have used it for his good as well.

So be encouraged!  Don't fret about whether your decision fits in with God's will - He will use your decision for your good.