Liturgica Music - all things holy and beautiful
when I was a child were focused on God alone. The songs didn't focus on what God has done for us as a reason to praise Him. I prefer that to songs that praise God because of something he did for me. I still thank & praise Him in those times, but I feel the need to praise Him even in the difficult times. Mostly because He is always deserving, but also as an act of faith that he will overcome my obstacles for me. Many songs we sang as a child were also in Latin, which added to the sacredness of the songs, even though I didn't understand the words.
Most of this music I only heard in church, and didn't know of groups or bands performing it. Consequently, I only know the songs I sang myself: Silent Night, Oh Come All Ye Faithful, Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?, Jesus Christ Is Risen Today, Angels We Have Heard on High, Holy Holy Holy, The Church's One Foundation, Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow, Crown Him With Many Crowns, and Adeste Fideles. Even with just writing the titles, I can remember the lyrics. How beautiful!
Old-time Hymns cont'd:
These are incredibly powerful songs that somehow touch a part of me deeper than most songs. While most are more somber songs, I still really enjoy them immensely.
Here are a few of the songs I heard the most: Amazing Grace, It Is Well, How Great Thou Art, Great Is Thy Faithfulness, Blessed Assurance, Jesus Paid It All, What A Friend We Have In Jesus, Are You Washed In The Blood, I Surrender All, Rock Of Ages, The Old Rugged Cross, There Is Power In The Blood. Such an unbeatable line up!
Christian Rock cont'd:
I still enjoy this style of music the most often. I recently heard an old hymn re-done as a rock song. Yep, I loved it! I understand that there are different times and seasons for all of the various styles of music, but I do need a strong beat to get me to stop thinking of my own issues, and start focusing on the One I came to honor & glorify. Maybe someday my faith won't require that. Until then, rock on!
Frankly, this upbeat music is what helped to break me out of a religious mindset. If God can be this much fun, then surely I can too, because it's impossible for me to hold still. I still feel God's pleasure when I move, and jump, and clap, and sing loudly off-key.
Because this is my favorite genre, I won't be able to even come close to naming all the singers I love, but here are a few, in no particular order: Unspoken, Hollyn, Cory Asbury, Phil Wickham, Sharon Wilbur, Nicole Mullen, Austin French, Tenth Avenue North, Zach Williams, Skillet, Brandon Heath, Ryan Ellis, Misty Edwards, Jennifer Knapp, Jordan Feliz, David Crowder, Leeland, Tauren Wells, Carmen, Mercy Me, Toby Mac, David Crowder, Sanctus Real, Hawk Nelson, Chris Rice, Mary Mary, Newsboys, and Francesca Battistelli to name a few!
Worship & Praise cont'd:
To me, worship is a way of trusting God. If I can stop dwelling on my circumstances, then I'll hear Him, receive from Him, learn a thing or three, and stop striving to figure it all out.
Praising is the same to me, as worship. I just focus on Him, consciously stop other thoughts from invading my mind, and tell Him how amazing He is. I remind myself that He is my Creator, worthy of all, whether I receive or not. He's that incredible. Of course, words never do it justice, neither does music, but I have to at least try.
The groups & singers of this style are very similar to the Christian Rock genre, so I won't repeat the names. I'm just more selective on the individual songs that I use for worshiping.