Music choices for my 12 year old

Lakota - posted on 01/07/2013

I personally am very glad that Proud Mommy is no longer wasting her words.

Angela - posted on 01/06/2013

Proud Mommy, you're entitled to your opinions as much as anyone else in this discussion thread. But your posts come over as sweeping statements of fact which you do not substantiate with scriptural references.

It's OK to disagree but when your points are not backed up with scriptures or with reliable secular references (known as "sourcing" anything you're presenting supposedly as fact) it would be better to preface each comment with "in my opinion" or "I feel that ...." to make it clear it's your own opinion and not necessarily a meaningful philosophy derived from scriptural truths. A reliable secular reference (for example) would be a web link to an empirical study that strongly supported your theory that some types of praise/worship music which resemble modern secular music are harmful to the Christian & spiritual growth of the individuals that listen to (or perform) this music.

Telling a story of your own, even one that may be relevant, is not proper empirical evidence - it's only an anecdote ("anecdotal evidence" as it's known - but that's a contradiction in terms anyway!). Having more than one anecdote that supports your theory is still only anecdotal. And the plural of anecdote is NEVER data! True empirical evidence is gathered by research and careful controls. It is usually carried out by Universities and published! Even so, this is a Christian Forum and most subscribers would probably prefer Biblical evidence to empirical evidence - you're providing neither!

Over on Christian Mommies you asked a forum poster who had a query about fasting "Why would you fast when it is un-biblical and God tells us not to fast?" When asked, you failed to provide the scriptural reference (there MUST be one, if you said it was un-biblical!) - you failed to even acknowledge when you were asked to explain your statement further with scripture! So if you can explain that one as well, I'd be grateful. Not on this thread though - here's the link:

http://www.circleofmoms.com/christian-mo...

Thanks for reading my comments Proud Mommy - hope to hear from you soon.

Proud - posted on 01/05/2013

I deleted them myself :)

No use wasting my words here

Carla - posted on 01/05/2013

Obviously it wasn't in keeping with the ethics of this forum. Let's pray for her.

Angela - posted on 01/05/2013

Shyla/Proud Mommy responded to my post and somehow it's been deleted. Don't think this was fair! People may think she's too timid to answer the challenges others are making in their posts but someone went and deleted her post.

Evelyn - posted on 01/04/2013

Have you tried the current Christian Radio stations? They have some songs on there that sound like rock and roll but are about relationships with God.

Angela - posted on 01/04/2013

Carla, I'll be honest .... I'm not keen on "rap" music whether it's sacred Christian rap music or secular rap music - it's not a musical genre that I'm especially enthusiastic about! I like Gospel & Country style modern praise music and I also like traditional hymns. I'm sure there are other types of praise music I would like if I heard them.

For me, "rap" is a sort of copy of what was known as "Talkin' Blues" years ago. I LOVE Talkin' Blues! Rap for me is a weak copy and I don't care for it at all. (Can't you tell I'm a huge Bob Dylan fan? LOL!!).

But I would NEVER presume to make such a sweeping statement that Christian rap isn't proper praise music or is of the Devil! As Christians, we are called to develop a personal relationship with the Lord. Any person's taste in music is also a very personal thing. And if other Christians are brought closer to the Lord via sacred rap music, who am I to question it? The relationship each individual Christian has with his/her Saviour is unique. The music that enhances the relationship and brings us closer might well be different for every believer on the face of this Earth! And of course, even the music is still only a very small part of the whole relationship. But if the believer finds the Christian music they listen to uplifting, then they're on the right track in nurturing a personal relationship with our Saviour.

I don't believe that Shyla/Proud Mommy is even attempting to debate the topic with us. She states her case and that's the end of it! She certainly doesn't respond to some of the more challenging posts. She is just like a stuck record, repeating her own views as though they are the only views worthy of consideration!

Carla - posted on 01/04/2013

Thank you, Angela. Proud/Shyla/whoever is on debating blogs--I don't know if she erroneously believes we are a debating community or not--but, I believe, like you, that anyone who makes huge, blanket statements about something they obviously know nothing about, isn't wise. So, we'll listen to the beautiful anointed music God has given us in these modern days, and pray that the Holy Spirit speak some wisdom to her. I truly pray she listens.

Angela - posted on 01/04/2013

Just to clarify (for anyone who is unsure) Shyla Reed and Proud Mommy are one and the same person.

I feel it is erroneous to state that modern genres of music used as praise music are from the Devil or are Satanic. Remember that in Biblical times (I'm talking Old AND New Testaments) that classical music (as in orchestral music) was unheard of - just as rap, rock & roll etc ... was unheard of. So you might, by the same token state that the traditional, orchestral type music used for traditional hymns is just as "Satanic" as the modern rap praise!

Orchestral, classical music emerged about 1,500 years after Christ. "Rap" music emerged about 2,000 years after Christ. It's only been in about (approximately) the last 250 years that hymns have been written to classical-type music. And as I said in a much earlier post, one of our master classical music composers from historical times, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, lived a life of debauchery, drink, drugs and women not unlike that of a modern rock&roll star!!

Have you ever composed music Shyla/Proud Mommy? Can you read musical notation? I'm very curious about this because you put yourself forward as an authority on music.

Lakota - posted on 01/02/2013

Carla, I always love your posts.

Proud Mommy, I sure wish you could answer back. Was hoping to read something from you other than misinformation and judgements.

Carla - posted on 01/01/2013

It might interest you to know that some of the old hymns we sing out of our song books were bar tunes put to Christian words.

I thank God that He gave our modern day worshippers the beautiful, anointed songs we hear today. One jumped to my mind, here is a portion:

Like hinges straining from the weight
My heart no longer can keep from singing
All that is within me cries to You, O Lord
Be glorified, Immanuel, God with us
My heart sings a brand new song
My Debt is paid, these chains are gone
Immanuel, God with us

If this isn't Holy Spirit-inspired, I don't know what is! We must be extremely careful--religion strangles, relationship frees. Relationship with the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit bring a freedom to worship and to be--just His.

God bless, all

Lakota - posted on 12/31/2012

Psalm 150:1-6 ESV
Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals! ...

There are a few more I can find. But, it doesn't say anything about rap or rock.

Lakota - posted on 12/31/2012

Proud Mommy, I do want to say that I am not trying to start an argument or anything with you or anyone else. I was just shocked at your post. I disagree 100%, but, I do value your opinion. That being said, can you quote a verse from the Bible that says that rap and rock are from the devil?

Proud - posted on 12/31/2012

^^ 100% correct

Lakota - posted on 12/31/2012

Wow. I guess all the people I saw claim Jesus as their Lord and Savior at the Mercy Me concert a few months were just fooling themselves. And the radio station KLove is full of devil worshippers. Rediculous and hateful.

Lakota - posted on 12/31/2012

There is no such thing as Christian rap or Christian rock? Are you serious? What makes it of the devil? The beat? The fast paced music? I haven't heard or read something that rediculous in a long time. WOW

Allyn - posted on 12/27/2012

There are some great Christian rap artists out there. I too have a 12 year old son who likes it. Try Lecrea, Canton Jones, Gideonz Army, and more. I just Googled but also listen on Pandora radio by searching the genre. Hope this helps.

Sandy - posted on 07/27/2012

Toby Mac is a very good rap artist. You can hear some of his songs on most Christian radio stations. I don't listen to much rap or R&B, so I don't know any others.

All you have to do is go to a Christian book store or look up Christian music on the internet and you will find many artists in that genre. Then you can look up the lyrics from any artist and see if they match what you want your son to learn. That is what my husband and I do. We listen to everything from Chris Tomlin to Casting Crowns to The Newsboys to Nine Lashes (heavy metal).

The most important thing is to monitor the lyrics and what the artist/band is saying about God.

Carla - posted on 07/19/2012

When Cain and Abel brought their offerings to the Lord, both brought of their living--Cain brought his grains and Abel brought sheep. Both, according to what was later spelled out in Moses's writings, were acceptable. But God said to Cain, when he was angry that God didn't accept his offering 'why are you angry? Why are you pouting? If you live your life according as I have told you, you will be Mine. But if you don't, you are in sin.' (Allaire version) So, if BOTH offerings were considered acceptable to bring to the Lord, there HAD to be something different. Now I have heard all my life that Cain should have brought a sheep, as God loves blood offerings, and I can accept that for certain situations (like a sin offering, which HAS to be blood), but this just says 'an offering'. I am convinced it was a heart matter Cain was experiencing. And if he was angry enough to kill Abel, we can almost guarantee there were issues in his heart even before this incident. God is all about heart-relationships. We can't live like the devil, then bring God an offering and think we are okay.



If we bring our offerings of praise to the Lord, He doesn't care HOW we bring them, He just cares that, with a grateful and humble heart, full of love for Him, we come. However, as I have said many, many times, IF you think something is sinful, YOU need not to partake. We must be fully persuaded in our own hearts and minds, whatever we decide. But I must caution here, that a religious spirit will destroy your relationship with Jesus. Sometimes we get so caught up in our own doctrine that we forget that we're actually worshiping Jesus, NOT our denomination. God is a Spirit, and those that worship Him MUST worship Him in spirit and in Truth. So pray hard, get a clear answer from the Lord, then sing your heart out!



God bless, all

Shelley-Ann - posted on 07/18/2012

I agree that it's our devotion that makes a difference, but I really also have a problem when one can't distinguish between what's Christian and what's secular. Christian music should point you to Christ, whether praise, worship, or meditation.

Consider 1 Timothy 4:12 (NKJV) which says "Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity." I really don't think it's simply about being devoted and offering whatever we choose. As Christians we have a responsibility to show others Christ, and anything that stands in the way of that can be counted vanity and vexation of spirit. Some of the modern praise music really leaves you wondering who exactly is being praised. When you can't distinguish the body of Christ from the world, then we have a serious problem. Music and clothes are two areas that we're really running into problems.

I understand the issue with making statements of opinion seem as fact. Where's the evidence? Well, lots of evidence added to an opinion still makes it an opinion, just a well supported one! lol. Making general statements about "all modern praise music" is also futile because that's just speculation too. Paul began in Romans 8:1-3 by saying "Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him." So, as I'm learning everyday, condemnation is never the best approach.

The trouble with speculating about what brings someone to Christ is that we don't know their heart. Each of us are at different points in the journey toward being like Christ and what would cause one to stumble may not cause another to stumble. Yet Paul cautions in Romans 8:9 "But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak." Granted Paul is talking about eating unclean foods, but I think we could stretch it toward music as well. It is a difficult thing to consider ourselves examples to others, when we are sinners all with our own struggles and trials. Thank God He alone is judge!!

Angela - posted on 07/17/2012

Bible states that Abel offered of his best ('the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof') in his sacrifice to God. It doesn't say that Cain offered his best though:

"And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering. But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell." (Genesis 4:3-5)

If we bring our best to the Lord, whether it is in music, praise etc .... or in more tangible offerings, He will view this with favour. If one's HEART and SOUL and DEVOTION is in the music we offer to the Lord, it is reasonable to assume He approves. The genre of praise music shouldn't be an issue, and for others to categorize or grade Christian music according to its type isn't appropriate.

After all how many people (including those who aren't Christian) know certain, traditional & well-known hymns off-by-heart? They can sing them right through and they know all the lyrics and the tune perfectly. They could well be singing them with the same level of devotion they have when singing "Happy birthday to you" or any popular, non-religious anthem!

I sincerely believe that it doesn't depend on the type of Christian music we play or sing to the Lord for it to be pleasing to Him. But it does depend on the sincerity and devotion of the person singing or playing the music. Is this a God-focussed act of worship? Or is it a case of "aren't I a great singer? - and how I love this song ...!"

Shyla has made it plain that she abhors modern praise music which she feels is too similar to secular music - that's fair enough. She maybe feels it doesn't glorify God. She's entitled to have that as her opinion. However I believe it's wrong to confer this philosophy on others and state her objections as a "given" as though they're a certain and definite fact.

Shelley-Ann - posted on 07/17/2012

It seems this thread has taken on a slightly different direction from the original question on music. Cheryl, it's been two years since your original post. How are things going with your situation? I hope the options presented were useful to you and that you have found a way to cope. Cross over music (gospel music using the beats of secular music) is very popular in churches and it's an interesting topic to tackle.

When we were teenagers, my older brother only listened to rap music and what was called dancehall music. I used to wonder if he was going deaf or crazy because apparently the only real way to listen to such music was very loud, locked in a room. But there's always the question about why kids listen to certain kinds of music, adults too for that matter. It think it is mostly because they identify with the music. My brother was going through a dark period and the anger and violence depicted in the music he listened to appealed to him. God worked with him and now he's very active in his church and really only listens to Christian music, although he still favors the rap and R & B.

The problem here with all the sentiments regarding personal preference and personal choices of music is that it's all "personal" and not about what God wants, but what we want. It's not a good practice to offer whatever we think is good to God and say that we're sinners so God will understand and accept whatever we offer. The Bible cautions us to think critically before we do anything. Ephesians 5: 15-17. It's not about rules and regulations, but about obeying God. 1 Samuel 15:22. And it's also about love. Mark 12:33.

All this crossover music, who does it point to? The beauty of the song, the ability of the singers, the popularity of the artists, or to God? If I can't tell whether or not a song is secular or religious from far off, and I have to come in close and listen to the lyrics just to say "oh, it's religious", then is it really?

I believe God cares about how we worship him. Think about the story of Cain and Abel. What was Cain's problem? Gen. 4: 3-5. We aren't told exactly why God rejected Cain's sacrifice, but we do realize that God does not indiscriminately accept all worship. There are many other instances in the Bible where God rejects or rebukes people for doing what seems right. God knows our hearts and he's more interested in our sincerity, faith, and respecting God for who He is. We should approach him with reverence and nothing less than humility.

Angela - posted on 07/17/2012

Sunday is referred to as the “Lord’s Day” in Revelation 1:10 and I would largely agree with you, Carla that early Christians chose Sunday to honour Jesus’ resurrection which took place on a Sunday.

However, some denominations (e.g. Seventh Day Adventists, Seventh Day Baptists and possibly even Messianic Jews) who prefer to observe Saturday as their holy day for collective worship would state that Sunday-keeping is only in place as a result of an edict by the emperor Constantine in the year 321 AD. There is historical evidence that early Christians before that date observed Sunday though.

Christianity was NEVER supposed to be about legalism or observing regulations (how Jesus despised the Pharisees!) but about accepting our God-given salvation with faith and developing a personal relationship with Him. So I doubt whether God is especially concerned with whether His people gather to fellowship on Saturdays or Sundays.

And restricting one’s worship to a single day of the week tends to fly in the face of relationship-building with the Lord.

Personally (and I don’t mind if anyone wants to correct me on this – I could be wrong!) I believe that God is not really worried what day of the week we have our collective worship on nor is he concerned about which genre(s) of music we use to glorify Him in singing and praise. Not that I in any way claim to know how God feels about these issues – but I’m sure He has far more important things on His mind, LOL!!!

Carla - posted on 07/17/2012

Jesus rose from the dead on Sunday, so I believe the early believers sought to honor Him by changing the day of sabbath. I do not believe God is displeased with this, as we ARE honoring His Son.

Angela - posted on 07/17/2012

Great to know you're having a baby girl Joy!

Shyla, the silence from you is deafening! Please come out, come out, wherever you are and answer Joy's queries!

Joy - posted on 07/16/2012

Oh -also, I called my dad earlier today (because I found out I'm having a baby girl -yay!) and mentioned this conversation. He also took music history in college with my mom while dating her and he loves history questions like this. He mentioned that waltzes (classical music today) were considered to be Satanic in the 17th century.



I'm aware of Saturday being the Sabbath also -and why my mom preferred to go to services on Saturday when I was growing up with my parents. Not all churches worship on Saturday though. My current one doesn't, but does encourage us to research & read the Bible more than other churches I've been to and I love researching. :)



Anyway, Shyla, if you have those references with the Bible book, chapter and verses I would love to read them. I do revise my personal life by what I read that's biblical all the time (yep, definite sinner here!), but I won't revise my life if there isn't a biblical reference and its a general opinion or bias.

Angela - posted on 07/16/2012

Very valid questions Joy - and I understand why you're asking.

On one or two other threads when Shyla has made sweeping statements (or unsubstantiated quotes) and then been challenged by others, she tends to stamp her foot - metaphorically speaking - and make some lofty response questioning her challenger's Christian status etc .... Or she sidesteps ....

Saturday is the original Sabbath Day (and I don't like to hear of Sunday referred to as the "Sabbath" myself!) and Sunday is often known as the Lord's Day - I'm personally happy to go to Church any day and like many Churches, my own has services and meetings on several different days.

I don't feel that "Sunday keeping" is sinful. My Seventh Day Adventist friend married her partner on a Sunday - and in a Methodist Chapel!

Shyla, mentioning Sunday worship and its lack of Biblical endorsement is switching gear. You have not addressed the questions Joy has asked. Sidestepping again!

Joy - posted on 07/16/2012

I used to go to a church that had services on Saturdays and my family went to those. My current church does not have Saturday services, so yes, I go on Sundays unless I'm really sick (being pregnant with my 2nd child in this summer heat is really hard on my body so sometimes I'm too sick to go.) My current church also has services on Wednesday nights and I go then too when I am able. I wish my church had Saturday services like my old one did, but it doesn't. Sometimes it has Friday night services, but I don't have transportation Friday nights (We're a 1 car family and my husband works 2 jobs. 1 of the jobs is on Friday nights usually.)



You did see that there are very secular people in classical music in the above posts too? Mozart and Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture were mentioned as examples. Not to mention my mom's personal experiences with it at music school.

Joy - posted on 07/16/2012

Shyla, I just want the references in the Bible to look up. When my church's leaders make a point in their sermons or lectures they provide Bible verses to back up what they say and encourage the congregation to do their research before jumping to any conclusion or agreeing with their opinion.

I recognize your opinion about rock and roll is a common one held in the 1950s & 1960s. My mom has told me that her parents expressed that viewpoint to her many times.

However, my mom also had experiences at Chicago's music conservatory with many classical (& jazz) musicians that were very definitely not Christian and those musicians did not believe in Christ. So I think any genre of music can have people who practice worldly views -including classical.

There are several genres of music I do not care for (U.S. country music is top of the list,) but I do not call people who like to listen to it as people who are letting Satan into their lives.

Also many times when missionaries have gone to various people (Africa/South America/etc.) they've had to learn the culture and language of the people they are speaking to and have created music that worships God but also speaks to that particular culture. Music is a way to reach out to people that don't know God. Is that adopting worldly ways by being missionaries to the people using music?

Angela - posted on 07/16/2012

Shyla, in my earlier post I was challenging your statements which you presented as unsourced quotes. I was NOT saying that Christian rock or Christian rap etc ... was marvellous music.

Generally, the Christian music I listen to is ordinary hymns and gospel music. I have heard Christian rock and other Christian praise music of various genres but I'm a fairly old-fashioned traditionalist. I do not criticise anyone else for their music choices, so please do not assume I'm a huge fan of those types of Christian music you disapprove of. I'm NOT a huge fan of it, but neither would I describe it as the music of Satan - it's OK. I think I said in one of my earlier posts that I was not keen on secular rap or secular R&B because it offends my MUSICAL sensibilities!

I don't just play other people's music, I play a couple of instruments myself (one of them is actually a harp - David played a harp!). I have written music (as in composed tunes and written the musical notation) and sometimes written lyrics to go with those tunes. I love many, many types of music!

Comments about classical music as opposed to contemporary music are also inaccurate .... Suggesting classical music is better or more worthy than contemporary music when the comments seem to be given from a Christian bias is peculiar .....

One of the most famous classical composers was Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Mozart composed some marvellous music. Many of his tunes were sacred, written for religious worship and praise, to be played in Churches. He died just a few weeks short of his 36th birthday. He was brilliant from an early age, a child prodigy! And he is said to have lived a life of debauchery and hedonism to rival that of many modern day performers in the world of secular music! Sex and Drugs and Rock and Roll? Mozart did it first!! Apparently he was very vain too!

I love Mozart's music anyway!

When you comment on a public chat forum on the Internet, if you're using quote marks (inverted commas) quotations should be sourced. They may be from the Bible, they may be from somewhere else. This applies whether it's a Christian forum or whether it's about fishing, electronics or medicine - or indeed anything! Otherwise it's only an opinion held by yourself and not a proven fact with research, documented findings or statistics to back it up. There are loads of links on the Internet too for easy sourcing of facts.

As a Christian believer (and I'm assuming you are) you have a right to worship how you feel is suitable for yourself. If this means boycotting certain types of music (Christian or otherwise) then of course you are free to do so. But others may well find the music you personally disapprove of is uplifting to them and brings them closer to God. Above all, we should worship the Lord in spirit and in truth (John 4:24).

Posting your own opinions and presenting them as fact is making a sweeping statement. It comes over as rather arrogant!

Carla - posted on 07/16/2012

Let's remember that this IS a Christian forum, please. Each of us has an opinion, and each one is entitled to their opinion.

All these ladies here have professed Jesus as their Savior. Just because we don't share the same opinion in music does not make us more or less saved.

Thank You
Carla

Angela - posted on 07/16/2012

Shyla puts words in quotes (implying the quote comes from a worthy, factual and truthful source) but then fails to mention the source!



Some of the comments made are generalisations. E.g. “The Bible says to sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. That is it.” The Bible doesn’t say people are to avoid other forms of musical praise though. At the time those words were written, psalms, hymns and spiritual songs were the only forms of praise/worship music known!



Also "The charismatics use Christian rock to hype up the audience and make it an 'experience'." Well – only the Charismatics? I’m pretty sure that Christians of other denominations use music of various genres to impact on the audience. And why not? Remember “… we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (that’s from Romans, Chapter 8 verse 11 by the way, I’ll source my own quotes so people are not left wondering!)



"When we listen to Christian rock, it sounds the same to the world. We are supposed to be in the world but not of it. A new creation. We should look different than the unsaved man out there." Where is this quote from? No source again!! We ARE different to those who are unsaved. But to reach people, you have to speak the same language, reach them on a level they can identify with. Furthermore we know that our God loves the unsaved just as much as He loves the saved. His provision for salvation is neatly summarised in John 3:16 “For God SO LOVED THE WORLD, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” “THE WORLD”? – that’s everyone!



Amy Grant, like other Christians, is a sinner. I’m a sinner, you’re a sinner and Shyla Reed is probably a sinner. All of the great Saints of the early Church, including those who gave a hand in the writing of the Bible, were sinners! St Matthew was a tax collector – tax collectors were employed by the Romans and cheated their own people to make money fraudulently for themselves! St Peter could never open his mouth without putting his foot into it! Right down to denying his Saviour because he was scared and wanted to cover his own back! (Matthew 26:69 - 75) Jesus had even predicted this happening earlier at the Last Supper (Matthew 26:34). St Paul was a great Christian missionary – but in the early days before he was saved he persecuted Christians (when he was known as Saul) – he was even present when St Stephen was put to death and he approved that this had happened!



“Then they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him; and the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he died. And Saul approved of their killing him.” (Acts 7:58 – Acts 8:1)



I doubt if Amy’s sins are any better or worse than anyone else’s! She was married and it failed. She divorced and married someone else. I also divorced my first husband. She sometimes records secular music – so what? She’ll reach a secular audience a lot faster with a Christian message if she has a more eclectic list of songs to perform. On this Wikipedia link:



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amy_Grant



Amy describes how she was misquoted in the Press, and she is not the first celebrity or even the first individual to be misquoted or quoted out of context in the Media! Read it and see for yourself! The Media never let the truth stand in the way of a good story! Anyone and everyone can fall victim to this, not just Christians.



The HousePlant Test? I’ve never heard of the houseplant test before! I Googled it ….



And guess what I found? This “theory” comes from the lyrics of a popular song, called the Houseplant Song (so not even a fact, LOL!!). Here are the lyrics to this song:



http://www.lyricsdepot.com/audio-adrenal...



And above is a YouTube link to the song - and I really like it!



It has something of a Christian message in it as when the guy is playing music to his houseplants his neighbour comes to complain and they end up being friends sharing life, love, happiness – and the Holy Ghost!



So you're wrong again Shyla!

Carla - posted on 07/16/2012

Joy, you are thinking of the 1812 Overture (I think of it as the Quaker Oats song, cuz it was used in a commercial way back in the days of the dinosaurs ;)).



ANY song that glorifies God, He is pleased with. Shyla, you might be shocked to know that a lot of the hymns we love are actually tunes of the secular world (pub songs) that someone changed the words to. I am sad for you that you are missing the glorious words and message of some of the groups I mentioned. But, as I have said many, many times, we have to be fully persuaded in whatever we believe. If, to you, these songs are sinful, you need to avoid them. I LOVE the joyous worship of these songs. The words to one, I believe it is Mercy Me are as follows:



'Like hings straining from the weight

My heart no longer can keep from singing

All that is within me cries for You, alone

Be glorified, Immanuel, God with us

My heart sings a brand new song

The debt is paid, these chains are gone

Immanuel, God with us'



I absolutely LOVE this song! It sings my heart to Jesus. It is termed contemporary Christian music. There is a category of progressive contemporary Christian, which is harder rock, but, like I said, I am a head banger from way back! I love that there is a Christian alternative that satisfies my love of music. We can't expect our children to avoid the world's influence if we do not give them something equivalent, music-wise. I personally thank God that He gave these groups the words and heart to sing for Him.



God bless, all!

Joy - posted on 07/16/2012

1812 Overture written in 1880 by a Russian composer Tchaikovsky to commemorate Russia's defense of their fatherland against Napoleon's invading army is the classical piece I was thinking of last night. According to Wikipedia "The overture is best known for its climactic volley of cannon fire, ringing chimes, and brass fanfare finale." Its a classical music piece that sounds like war.

It was also first preformed in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow.

Joy - posted on 07/15/2012

OK.



The first quote you have is from Exodus 32 (when quoting things from the Bible please provide Bible references with book, chapter and verses so it is easier to look up.) They were not the children of Egypt, but the Israelites that had just been freed from Egypt's slavery. When Moses went up to Mount Sinai to speak with God & brought down the commandments the Israelites asked Aaron to make a god like the Egyptians had because they didn't know what Moses was doing or when he was coming back. It mentions that after the calf was created the people went and ate, drank and indulged in revelry (my version is NIV other Bible versions may have different wording Exodus 32:6 for the verse reference.) Joshua heard the noise in the camp and said it sounded like war, that's true. Moses said it was singing. Moses does declare what they did to be sinful & God confirms in Exodus 32:30-35. However, it says in my Bible "And the Lord struck the people with a plague because of what they did with the calf that Aaron made."



I think that eating & drinking are not sins in themselves. I also think that singing of itself is also not a sin. "What they did with the calf" is the sin that the people were punished for and that the eating, drinking and revelry (which includes any kind of music even if its on harps) for the glory of the idol was the sin. The first commandment which Moses had to go back up the mountain to get was to "have no other gods before God." What we do in our daily lives (eating, drinking, breathing, playing music of any sort) should be for God, not for any other gods.



I don't know the Bible reference (book, chapter and verses) of your second quote, please provide them. The other references I don't think come from the Bible. Though I do not believe classical music is mentioned in the Bible by name. What we know as classical music (according to Wikipedia) didn't come into existence until 1000 AD. The term "classical music" did not come into existence until the 19th century to cannonize the period between Bach and Beethoven as the golden age. So this is not going to be a term found in the Bible. As a daughter of a classical (& jazz) pianist I can also tell you there are some classical music pieces that definitely sound like war. Not being a classical musician myself I do not recall what the titles of the pieces are called, but there is one where a cannon booms at the end of it. I think it was considered to be a patriotic song at the time when it was written.



I believe if any music, including classical music, jazz, opera, rock, rap, country, folk, etc., is being played to worship a god that is not the Christian God then it is sinful.

Joy - posted on 07/15/2012

I can find references in the Bible where witchcraft is sinful. Please provide reference to where rock-n-roll or any genre of music is sinful. I missed that somewhere.

Proud - posted on 07/15/2012

Oh but I believe he does care. I will not be checking them out on YouTube because I will not subject my ears to that.

It may be "religious rock"; but, it is certainly not Christian. You can't repacked rock-n-roll music and label it as being "Christian," just as you can't repackage witchcraft (which is all that Harry Potter is -- witchcraft repackaged). Witchcraft is sinful, no matter what form it appears as; likewise, rock music is sinful, no matter in what form it appears.

Carla - posted on 07/15/2012

Oh, Shyla, honey, go to YouTube and watch Jesus Culture or Mercy Me or Third Day or Casting Crowns. Please check them out.

God LOVES to hear us praise Him. He doesn't care whether it's rap or rock or the old hymns, as long as we are glorifying Him, He is happy.

God bless, honey

Angela - posted on 07/09/2012

You don't approve of most of it because of the context? What context? Do you mean CONTENT? Don't wish to argue semantics with you but I'm not sure what you mean.

If you don't like the lyrics, chances are that they're not all that distinguishable (is there such a word? LOL!!).

Or is it because it's secular music? To be honest I really like secular music but personally, I'm not at all fond of rap and R&B music. "Rap" as it's called nowadays is just a modern copy of what used to be known as "Talkin' Blues" (remember Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan? They did it properly!!). Modern Rap is just embarrassing to listen to! R&B which is supposed to stand for Rhythm & Blues is apparently a bit different from the Rhythm & Blues we were familiar with years ago.

My own objection to Rap and R&B music isn't a spiritual or religious objection, it's sheer outrage at the fact anyone can regard this noise as music!!

I have not listened to Christian Rap or Christian R&B but if you want to steer your kids in this direction, get the CD's and then use reverse psychology by telling them they mustn't play them. It's likely they'll break their necks to play them anyway and end up preferring them to the stuff you don't like.

Good luck!

Joy - posted on 07/07/2012

There are a lot of Christian rap & R&B groups out there. One thing that was mentioned was about not putting down secular groups or your teen/tween will head there because of what you don't what him to do he will try. While that's true, another idea is to get him involved with other Christian teenagers who also like R&B & rap. Peer pressure is going to be a factor in his music choices. He could find that at school (I assume he goes to a public school?) or he could find that in a church youth group (or other Christian teen groups.)

-Take mine with a grain of salt. I've only got a toddler at home right now so it'll be a few years before I will need to really worry about her music choices.

Emily - posted on 07/06/2012

Skillet is a christian group that's pretty awesome :) (I'm not a christian but I do love them)

Angie - posted on 02/22/2010

In the Christian Rap category try T-Bone and Grits and K J 52 and Toby Mac and in the Christian R&B category try Bebe and Cece Winans and Yolanda Adams and Kirk Franklin and Fred Hammon and Kurt Carr and the Kurt Carr Singers and Donnie McClurkin just to name a few to get started with. Thanks

Joyce - posted on 02/22/2010

When my kids were teens and started listening to music I didn't like, I bought them CDs of Christian rock and rap for their birthdays and Christmas etc.. Before long they were only listening to the Christian music. I figured it at least would get spiritual words in their ears.

Kelsie - posted on 02/21/2010

My boy is 13 and loves rap, one group not mentioned yet but is also great is, GRITS. A christian rap group. GReat lyrics.

Sandra M - posted on 02/21/2010

Thousand Foot Krutch
Kutless
Stellar Kart These are rock bands.

Sandra M - posted on 02/21/2010

Lecrae. hard core christian rap. Stephen the Levite-todieisgain is another one my son just got. Skillet . I'll ask my son.

Afrikka - posted on 02/20/2010

I have a 13 y.o and was experiencing this with him also. I agree that you should offer an alternative such as Christian music but what I also did was dissected the lyrics of the song with my son and asked him if these where things that he really was feeling or wanted to be saying. Much of it didn't even make sense to him and he realized that it was mostly to sell a record. We have to let our kids understand why we don't want them living like the world and that they aren't really missing anything beneficial to them....

Karen - posted on 02/20/2010

Tangle.com Is the former GodTube !!! I have escorted and worked with our church youth group and there are bands of all types in our christian communities. Stand your ground on content and lyrics !!! I still listen to all my boys music and they are all three in thier twenties. music is a great way to know where your child is at in life and what might be on thier minds. I had found when the boys begain asking to buy CD's I found it a great tool and still is to open touchy conversations with them. And oddly enough I don't think they even realize yet how I gather info and keep up with them !!! LOL mom's little tricks up her sleeve. Like eyes in the back of head kinda thing.

Jessica - posted on 02/19/2010

Oh there are a lot of great Christian rappers. Go to your Christian store and ask them about some of the most popular ones, or go on Air One radios website and look some artists up. Air One is a posative alternative radio station broadcast nation wide. I gaurantee your 12 year old will love it.

Carrie - posted on 02/18/2010

KJ52 or toby mac is good. there are a lot of christian bands, rappers, r&b groups that my 13 year old brother listens to. apologetix is a christian parody group that has remade some eminem songs and others. very appealing to the younger crowd. through windows media player, u can listen to the radio on the internet. i listen the The House FM, which has a website www.thehousefm.com also. they play a great mix of pop, rap, rock, and contemporary. also try checking to see if there is any christian concerts in your area. my brother has a lot of fun going to them, and there are always younger people there for him to meet. hope this helps!! i'll try to look up some more bands for ya too! :)