a little more on music

Anyone who knows me, knows that I love music.  I can rock to almost anything, with the exception of rap and head-banger-ridiculously-crazy-guitar-rifs stuff.  And you probably know that I swoon every time I hear a Bon Jovi song.

But what really gets my groove going is when I hear music that speaks to my soul.  Music that sings of my sweet Lord, Jesus Christ.  And really, this is the stuff that is played 99% of the time around this joint.  Music like:

One In A Million

He Said

Look Like Love

Me Without You

and yes, even these wonderful, old hymns music that we blare every morning

Great is Thy Faithfulness

By & By

Music plays a huge role in our lives.  And I believe even more of a role in most kid's lives, especially when they hit that pre-teen age.  There is something to be said of what we put into our souls by way of music.  Many people say that, 'it's just a song, it's not a big deal' ...or something of the sort.  But thing is, is that we are to be diligent with what we see, hear, and do.

Finally, whatever is true, whatever is honorable,
whatever is just, whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable,
if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise,

think about these things.

Philippians 4:8

And we are parents, right?  God gave us these chickies to bring up to honor and glorify Him.

Not just sometimes.

Not just on Sundays in church.

And most certainly, not only when it's convenient or within our comfort zone.

There is no "when you feel like it" clause when bringing up our chicks in the fear of the Lord.

We have a huge responsibility!!!

And part of this responsibility is what we allow our chicks to listen to.

What we allow them to listen to?

Yep.  As difficult as that may be sometimes with pre-teens and teens, we still are their parents and we have to take control.  Not to be tyrants but to help them understand the very real influence music has over us.  And when they truly understand this, they will submit to your answers and direction easier (sometimes more so than others).

We have spent countless hours talking to our chicks about music but specifically our son in the recent years.  He comes home with songs that he hears at school and wants to down load them.  "These are awesome!" he says.

STEP #1

We go online and look at the lyrics.  From there it's either a yes or no.  If it's yes on the lyrics, we then go to...

{sidenote on the 'yes'...we carefully give out 'yes's'.  If our thoughts can be followed with a

"well, it's not thaaaaat bad."  --then that's a sure sign we should not allow that song.}

When did compromise become an OK norm for a Christian?
Aren't our lives, being transformed by Him, supposed to look different?

STEP #2

We then go to iTunes and check out the song.  (This is where ya'll might throw a hissy fit with me.)  If the song is serious rap or head-banger-crazy-guitar-riff type of music, our answer will be 'no'.

WHAT???

WHY???

There is something within this style of music, even though the lyrics may be "christian", that will and does stir a spirit of rebellion, a spirit of disrespect, a spirit of discord.

Think about it.  When you hear this style of music, are you really led to a place of worshipful thoughts and feelings?  Or do you feel super hyped up, almost anxious?  I'm willing to bet it's the latter.  And that's why we say no to that music.

Has this been hard?  In the beginning, yeah.  But we as parents have had to stand our ground (novel thought!)---with love, patience, and a quiet spirit.  And that has meant that we have not been not super liked sometimes...but that's ok.  Cause eventually he always comes back to us, recognizing our loving concern for him.

Do we listen to music that's "good for us" all the time?

Nope.

Should we?

Yeeeees.

Do I still enjoy 'Living on a Prayer' every once in a while?

Ohhhhhh.....yeeeeeaaaaah.

Are we constantly revising our lives to become more like Him?

Hopefully.  ...I mean, we try.

Do we fail?

Too many times.

Does He shake his head at us while rolling his eyes and say, "Alright, get up and try again."

Yep.

--Well, at least the 'get up and try again' part. ;)

And it's in those times that we learn and hopefully strive for more.