(elbow to your ribs) C’mon, now; it’s not like it used to be. I used to turn my nose up at contemporary Christian music but I’m older and wiser now and I’ve learned a thing or two. Christians will always tell each other, and those who are ‘inquiring’, that Jesus will meet them wherever they are. We say it because it’s true. No one has to finish a pre-req course or take a test or stand up in a meeting; all a person has to do is say, “Help me, Lord” and Jesus is at his side, ready, willing, and able to help and to love.
One of the great forms of communication is singing. Ever watch little children when they sing? They get a sort of ‘look’ on their little faces, like what they are doing is amazing and all theirs and they just discovered it. I used to love to hear my dad sing while he was doing his chores – I’d giggle because he never remembered but a few words and made up his own, but he loved to sing. And was inordinately proud of his whistling. All ages love to sing. All peoples love to sing.
Hymns are lovely and a salve to the spirit and we love them in a very special way but truth be told, we are of an age and time that is passing. God finds new ways to reach out to the broken and weary and one of those ways is Christian music. The kids have got to know that there’s an answer to all this mess they see here; that there is something more and mightier and worth living for. They have to know that they have worth and are valued and wanted and lived and died for. Contemporary Christian music does that.
New Christian music comes in every genre – country, hip hop, rock’n’roll, rap, easy listening and everything in between. Many of the songs cross over into mainstream popular music and vise versa. This was a country song that Christians took immediately to their hearts https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5z-jjWyAJQ
This one brings tears to my eyes. I look at the faces of the crowd – all that wasted potential, and I think of those people I wrote about awhile back, the ones with the tattoos, and I can’t help but weep. As important as hymns are, so is the music that reaches people who don’t have that connection – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WtV1XtqsW0
Next time you’re rolling that dial in the car (or pushing the button or whatever new vehicles do), stop on the Christian station and give a listen. And learn a lesson. And humble yourself to a new way to hear the Lord speak to His children.
All Along the Watchtower 
Outstanding, Audre. And a pair of lovely examples too. They do form an excellent introduction and reminder. I do still say though that our traditional hymns do a better job with theology than popular Christian music But there is plenty of room for both
Love the post.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I agree; the older material is wonderful, and often better suited to a long-haul than material that excites for a moment and then leaves us in a trough.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Wow, Neo; thanks so much!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think you’re right, Nicholas but this kind of music appeals to younger people now and they will carry that thru’ their lives. They’ll discover The Old Rugged Cross but for now, it keeps them remembering how important Jesus is.
LikeLiked by 2 people
For a number of years, I was part of a small church with a lot of musical talent [I did not have any]. Many of the songs we sang were written by the church members. They were frequently inspired by and followed themes of things we were studying and discussing together.
LikeLiked by 3 people
That must have been great fun!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was very moved by both of those songs, yes, very different from more traditional hymns and church music but wonderful nevertheless and carrying the most important message of all.
LikeLiked by 1 person