I have to admit, I have not often been a big fan of modern Church music. I am more traditional in my tastes. (A big exception to this has been Gospel Music which I love and which is in its own way is traditional – in the African American Community). But other more contemporary Christian music has often remained off my radar. I find it a little too centered on us and not enough on God. Yet in recent months, mostly working for this blog I have stumbled upon certain modern Christian music that I find quite good. It is musically more pleasing as well as being more centered on God, or at least inviting us to consider God. I’d like to offer some of those songs here. I have posted some of the best of these songs and the videos that accompany them before but collect them here for your reference. All of these songs are available at iTunes. You may not have time listen to them all now, but perhaps save the link and listen little by little.
Jesus Christ, You Are My Life – Monseñor Marco Frisina
Still – Hillsong
Take My Life – Passion
Let The Healing Begin – Michael John Poirier
Take Me In – Kutless
As The Deer – America’s Top 25
Lord I Lift Your Name On High – Maranatha Singers
Come to Jesus – Chris Rice
Grounded in Love – Justin Stroh
“Praise the LORD. Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise in the assembly of the saints.” – Psalm 149:1
Since we’re sharing, here are some of my favourite contemporary songs:
Receive The Power by Guy Sebastian and Paulini (former World Youth Day song)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwoEU2uVDfw
There Is A Day by Phatfish
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12lWDvagKms
I Can Only Imagine by Mercy Me
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xwzItqYmII
Well With My Soul by Brenton Brown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rncuv4gz_ao
I remember once hearing somebody read out loud a scathing review of “this new worship music”, complaining about pretty much everything – the melody, the harmony, the lyrics etc. describing it all as “modern rubbish”. The person reading this review then told us that this wasn’t actually written in the last couple of years, but in 1700’s! The author was complaining about the new style of hymn which was coming into use – those composed by people like Charles Wesley, which now are much loved and have since received “classic” status.
Musical tastes can shift over time, but I guess what’s important is that there is the same worshipping heart behind it, regardless of the kind of music that ushers you into the presence of the King…
“When the music fades
All is stripped away
And I simply come
Longing just to bring
Something that’s of worth
That will bless your heart
“I’ll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You’re looking into my heart”
When The Music Fades by Matt Redman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZgPPmtZgS4