Dare You To Move - Switchfoot

Let me just start by saying that this is not a Christian song and anyone who would defend it as Christian is greatly mistaken. The popular band name, Switchfoot might have been trying to be clever with their band title but they are not fooling me. Their name sounds like it walked straight out of John Bunyan's, Pilgrim's Progress; he was a master at naming characters in his book and I think I know what he would have meant if he used "Switchfoot" as one of his characters...You figure it out.

This song is a bunch of random words put in a random order that means absolutely...Nothing. It is completely void of scripture's truth.

Here is an interview with Jon Foreman, the dude who wrote this song. See if you can see anything godly about this narrative.

Dare You To Move  I love to write songs; I’ve been at it since I could reach the piano. It’s one of my favourite ways to pass the time. Music helps me sort out who I am, so my songs usually end up being somewhat autobiographical. I’ve always felt the deepest connection with honest songs, so I try to write with sincerity. This song is an attempt to honestly face the gap between who I am and who I want to be; between the way the world spins and the way the world should be. I’ve heard that we only use a small part of our brain. Maybe out soul is the same way. And maybe we’re half asleep most of our lives, simply reacting to the stimulus our brain receives. Action, true action is rare indeed.This is an anthem of action and responsibility. Who will live our lives for us? Who will seek the Lord in these dark days? What generation will arise and be the salt and light of hope to this starving world? Salvation is here! This is a very emotional song for me. This song is my challenge to myself. And when I sing it, I sing it to myself, daring myself to live like today never happened. The last chorus is really a cry from my soul to live.

If you are reading this, I plead with you to think through your songs and your, "bands."

Thinking through songs with you,

-Lydia

Matthew West, Forgiveness

It isn't often that I come across a song written lately that surprises me with its solid doctrine. Today surprised me with this song, Forgiveness by Matthew West. The lyrics are pleasantly solid and brings to light from scripture truths about forgiveness in a Christian's life. Here are some lines from his song I appreciate.

It flies in the face of all your pride It moves away the mad inside It’s always anger’s own worst enemy Even when the jury and the judge Say you gotta right to hold a grudge It’s the whisper in your ear saying ‘Set It Free’

These two verses come to mind in regard to these lyrics.

Good sense makes one slow to anger,and it is his glory to overlook an offence. (Proverbs 19:11 ESV)

Whoever covers an offence seeks love,but he who repeats a matter separates close friends. (Proverbs 17:9 ESV)

We get chances to forgive everyday, usually offences that seem terrible at the moment but really are rather small. I believe it is a great mercy from God that rather big offences are placed in our lives that we must forgive. The ones that seemingly tear us apart, but the ones that really free us from being a prisoner of selfishness. Matthew West's quote sums it up well...

It’ll clear the bitterness away It can even set a prisoner free There is no end to what it’s power can do So, let it go and be amazed By what you see through eyes of grace The prisoner that it really frees is you

Thinking through songs with you,

Lydia

Now And Not Yet By Matt Searles

Here are some really simple yet lovely songs done up from the Psalms. Enjoy!

Thinking through songs with you,

-Lydia

Dara Maclean, Yours Forever

I don't want to sound presumptuous but sometimes I feel like "christian" music artists purposely leave their songs ambiguous. I think Dara Maclean's song, Yours Forever is a great example. If she is writing about her Lord in this song she refers to him as, "My love." Maybe "Christian songs sell so well because you can insert your ideas or your boyfriend/girlfriend here_____.

Thinking through songs with you,

-Lydia

Satellite Kite - Beautiful Eulogy - Entitlement

Here's a song that was recently released that I can't get enough of because the lyrics are so well thought out, very edifying, and full of tons of scripture.

Lazy songwriters take note, 3 white rappers from Portland just made your watered down mainstream music look like Barney's Sing Along.

The bar has been set.

Satisfied In You (Sing Team)

These words are deep and beautiful from Psalm 42

Link to song and album here

I have lost my appetite
And a flood is welling up behind my eyes
So I eat the tears I cry
And if that were not enough
They know just the words to cut and tear and prod
When they ask me “Whereʼs your God?”

Why are you downcast, oh my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
I can remember when you showed your face to me

As a deer pants for water, so my soul thirsts for you
And when I survey Your splendor, You so faithfully renew
Like a bed of rest for my fainting flesh

When Iʼm looking at the ground
Itʼs an inbred feedback loop that drags me down
So itʼs time to lift my brow
And remember better days
When I loved to worship you and learn your ways
Singing sweetest songs of praise

Let my sighs give way to songs that sing about your faithfulness
Let my pain reveal your glory as my only real rest
Let my losses show me all I truly have is you

So when Iʼm drowning out at sea
And all your breakers and your waves crash down on me
Iʼll recall your safety scheme
Youʼre the one who made the waves
And your Son went out to suffer in my place
And to show me that Iʼm safe

Why am I down?
Why so disturbed?
I am satisfied in you

credits

from Oh! Great Is Our God!, track released 03 April 2012
Written by Brian Eichelberger / E on the Eye Chart (BMI)

The Place of Music and Singing in Church by Vaughan Roberts

The Place of Music and Singing in Church

by Vaughan Roberts

Very interesting article on music and singing in church. I highly recommend you take some time aside and read it. It is very thought provoking, especially when addressing the wide idea in Christianity today that the feelings conjured during music/singing is a personal encounter with God.

*The title is the link to the article.