Worship Artists

So I promised (back when I wrote about some rap artists I like) I would write a post about my favorite worship artists. So, here it is...what this church music guy listen to when he listens to worship music...

David Crowder Band...these guys have such a diverse range of musical styles and still so many of their songs have such a spirit of worship. My favorite album that they have put out is "A Collision." Many of the songs from this album have been adopted by the christian church. Some of David's stuff is a bit hard to pull off in your average church (with his synthesizers, violins, etc...), but lyrically they are worth the effort to bring to local congregations. I'm sorry to hear that they are calling it quits after their next album.


Matt Redman...British singer/songwriter who has brought us such songs as "The Heart of Worship" and "Blessed Be Your Name." Totally different style here than Crowder, but very passionate songs of praise.  I love his album "Facedown." Almost every track on that CD has found it's way into my head at one time or another, and I have used many of them when leading worship. Redman's newest CD "10,000 Reasons" has some great songs that I look forward to using in the future.




Charlie Hall...I absolutely love his album "Flying Into Daybreak." Possibly my favorite worship album ever. This album has some of my favorite songs "All We Need", "Marvelous Light", "Micah 6:8", "Song of the Redeemed", etc. I'm not always a huge fan of his recordings, but I love his lyrics and having seen him live, his presence on stage is very worshipful. Plus he has a longer beard than I do. (maybe I'll catch up someday...)



Shane and Shane...I love these guys. From their acoustic guitar playing, to their great harmonies, to the great relaxed atmosphere of their music. Their music doesn't feel forced, they aren't trying fit a certain mold, their aren't trying to impress me with their talent, it's just a couple of guys and their friends playing and singing for their Lord.


Chris Tomlin...What can I say, this guy writes music that the church can sing and wants to sing. He writes very singable and connectable songs.

So...these are some of my favorites. Check them out. On a side note, as an addition to my rap post, I have recently been introduced to a CD by a group called the 116 Clique. The name of the CD is "13 Letters." These rap artists took the 13 books of the Bible that Paul wrote as letters to the churches, studied them, and wrote songs breaking down the message of each. They are great songs that expound Biblical truth. If you like rap music, you need to check it out.

An Evenings Musings

   Do you ever read another person's blog and then feel like you ought write one of your own? I often find myself in this situation after reading a blog by Ann Voscamp. It's not because she is such a great writer (though she is), it's not the stories she uses to make a point (though her anecdotes are typically spot on), no it's because she writes about living Christianity the way I wish I lived Christianity. She asks the hard questions that we are so often afraid to voice out loud, and voices her own struggles with putting God's word into practice. Because of this. I often come away from reading her words feeling as though I need to simply get with the program and stop wishfully thinking about being a better Christian, and start doing it. With that thought check out a blog called "A Holy Experience" written by Ann Voscamp. I think most people who read my blog would appreciate many of the things she has to say.
   How often do you waste time? Goofing off, playing facebook games, reading mindless dribble, playing video games, watching tv, watching movies, etc... I am an expert at wasting time. In fact I usually stay up late so that I can waste more time after my children are asleep. I also waste time while they are awake. Do you ever find yourself telling your child (or a friend/neighbor/family member) that you are busy and please give me a few minutes only to realize that you are "busy" checking your e-mail for the 8th time today. Have you ever realized that one of the reasons you are bored is because you keep checking your e-mail even though you aren't expecting anything? Why do we put to the side those things that are most important for our own selfish indulgences? Why don't we play with our children more, visit with our neighbors more, work less, spend less, and read our Bibles and pray more? I don't know, but I do know that I am guilty of this. I also know that I want to change. I would rather come to the end of my life with little in my bank account and having given up some of my "me time" and knowing that I have many strong relationships with family, friends, and God. What do you think? Are you a time waster? Do you see areas of your life that you'd like to improve but just feel like you don't have the time to improve them? Maybe there's a simply answer to both of your problems...