I wanna heal
I wanna feel
What I thought was never real
I wanna let go of this pain I've held so long
I wanna heal
I wanna feel
What I thought was never real
I wanna find something I've wanted all along
Somewhere I belong

--- Linkin Park, Somewhere I Belong

Wake me up
Wake me up inside
I can't wake up
Wake me up inside
Save me
Call my name and save me from the dark
Wake me up
Bid my blood to run
Can't wake up
Before I come undone
Save me
Save me from the nothing I've become
--- Evanescence, Bring Me To Life

All of these boys (yeah) and all of these girls
Are losing their souls in a material world
--- Good Charlotte, Boys and Girls

Sunset sailing on April skies
Bloodshot fire clouds in your eyes
I can't say what I might believe
But if God made you he's in love with me

--- Five For Fighting, If God Made You

I don't need no one to tell me about heaven
I look at my daughter and I believe
I don't need no proof when it comes to God and truth
I can see the sun set and I perceive
--- Live, Heaven

Ooh and I'd lay my life down for you (woooooh)
And I show you who's the boss (woooooh)
I'd forgive you and adore you
While I was hangin' on your cross
If I Was Jesus.
--- Toby Keith, If I Was Jesus

It's where I drank my first beer.
It's where I found Jesus.
Where I wrecked my first car:
I tore it all to pieces.
I learned the path to Heaven,
Is full of sinners an' believers.
Learned that happiness on earth,
Ain't just for high achievers.
I've learned; I come to know,
There's life at both ends,
Of that red dirt road.
--- Brooks & Dunn, Red Dirt Road

Her parents never took the young girl to church,
Never spoke of His name,
Never read her His word.
Two non-believers walking lost in this world,
Took their baby with them,
What a sad little girl.

Her daddy drank all day and mommy did drugs.
Never wanted to play,
Or give kisses and hugs.
She'd watch the TV and sit there on the couch,
While her mom fell asleep,
And her daddy went out.

And the drinking and the fighting,
Just got worse every night.
Behind their couch, she'd be hiding:
Oh, what a sad little life.

And like it always does, the bad just got worse,
With every slap,
And every curse.
Until her daddy, in a drunk rage one night,
Used a gun on her mom,
And then took his life.

And some people from the city,
Took the girl far away.
To a new mom and dad:
Kisses and hugs everyday.

Her first day of Sunday school the teacher walked in,
And a small little girl,
Stared a picture of Him.
She said I know that man up there on that cross,
I don't know His name,
But I know He got off.

'Cause he was there in my old house
And held me close to His side.
As I hid there, behind our couch,
The night that my parents died.
--- John Michael Montgomery, Little Girl

Have I proven my point?

Songs are not 'Christian' or not...and neither are artists. God can work through anybody on this planet that He chooses, whether or not we affiliate them with Him.

//-->Poet

i completely agree
god can work through the music to show many pple that god is there for us....

Hello: You know God used a "mule" in the O.T. to speak to a prophet! But I would say that it was the exception not the norm! One does not see mules talking all the time!!!

God can use any means he chooses to speak to an individaul, depending on the need, time and place, at the same time, I don't think that He is going to use these non_christian singers "all the time" to minister to people and lead them to salvation. For that, He has those that have been washed in the blood of the lamb, saved and sanctified, and that are talented in the ministry as well

Ther are many dangers in this, like where does one draw the line between the "secular and the church!

God Bless
Poimen

Praise the lord!

I think poimen you made a very good point, God can use what ever means he wants to, even when the instrument may not even intend it to be that way, or even realize it.

God may not use the person , but the occasion, man may do something with one purpose in mind, but God can use it for his purpose.

Blessings!
Sunergos!

Somebody please tell me that I?m dreaming
It?s not so easy to stop from screaming
But words escape me when I try to speak
Tears they flow but why am I crying
After all I am not afraid of dying
Don?t believe that there is never an end

Mark my words please believe my soul lives on
Please don?t worry now that I have gone
I?ve gone beyond to see the truth

When you know that your time is close at hand
Maybe then you?ll begin to understand
Life down there is just a strange illusion.
-Iron Maiden; "Hallowed Be Thy Name"

Yeah, Poet. I definitely see your point!
Even these lyrics I posted from a "not-so-Christian" band can speak of God's message!
God has, can, does, and always will choose the least likely people sometimes to spread His Word.
Often times, it is in disguise !

poimen wrote: › Ther are many dangers in this, like where does one draw the line between the "secular and the church!

Let's look at this for a moment. I'm sure the more conservative Christians on this site will condemn me to hell for this, but here goes...

I'm not asking where to draw the line...I'm erasing the line.

That it, no more line. Let's stop trying to separate ourselves from the fact that we are IN this world, like it or not! Let's stop trying to hide in the sanctuary and actually get out in the world sharing God's love. If you don't see yourself right along with me on this idea, ask yourself...why are you afraid of taking a stand?

As Christians, we are ambassadors for Christ. If you look at the job of an ambassador, they don't hide in a building all the time...they go out, they BLEND WITH THE COUNTRY that they are representing their own country to. And so we are called to do the same. As Christians, we are to blend in with the world we are representing Christ to. (Note: this doesn't mean join in or approve of sinful activities). However, we DO need to stop with the "oh that's not Christian music" payload. Since WHEN did music gain the ability to accept Christ anyhow?

Did Jesus go out to the world, or did he hide in the sanctuary?

"But the Church doesn't approve."
Neither did the church approve of what Jesus did.

Think about it.

Very thought provoking, indeed, Poet !

I for one am with you on this.

I go to "certain" meetings regularly and most of the people in them use such profanities, and vulgarities that I can hardly stand it sometimes, and I am sometimes inclined to use their same language.
I try not to, and I usually refrain from using such profanities, but I also find that (sometimes) they will hear you better if you use "their language".
Like I said, most of the time, I do NOT use "their language" (profanity, etc.), and hope that I will in turn be an example to them instead.
Most of them use the "F" word, etc. alot, and I don't use that word!
But I can still speak to them in "their language" and refrain from certain words such as these and still spread the message.
Rather than quoting scripture (most of them will refuse to listen to that anyway), I do use scripture in "their language".
The parables are wonderful for this !
Many times if you even say the Name of Jesus, they will instinctly ignore you, but if you use the Name; "God", they can accept that easier.
I "give them Jesus" even though they do not recognize it.

It IS possible to "preach the gospel" without quoting scripture all the time !

In the words of Saint Francis of Assissi;
"Go out in the streets and preach the gospel. When necessary, use words."

"When necessary", use words they will understand.
You don't need to use cuss words, etc., but sometimes we need to speak to them in their own language.
Don't just quote scripture because more often than not, they will instinctly ignore you anyway.

Choose your words wisely !

I agree that God can be found in music other that "christian" My parents listen to alot of country and there are many songs with God's message in them. Especially today you can't really assume about anything. Plus, shouldn't we as christians not be afraid to listen to secular music so that we know what those who need Jesus have been living in and listening to?

To close the point, a quick thought.

God's people, Scripturally speaking, are the Jews. Now, this isn't to denounce the faith of the Gentile, as this is a separate issue, but throughout Scripture, God's people are the Jews.

The native language of the Jews, or Hebrew people, is Hebrew. Now, this language is different from English in many ways, some being simply beautiful, i.e. the different words for "love"...which actually serves a lot for clarification.

At the same time...there are some words in English that just don't exist in Hebrew. For example, the word "secular." There is no Hebrew equivalent. Why is this? The answer is, honestly, quite simple.

The true Hebrew way of life does not consider a "worldly" and a "spiritual" life, but merely life. There is no sacred vs. secular...because everything to them is sacred. Now, if everything is sacred, then it would become clear that one, seeking God, could seek Him in any part of life, given that he/she was not doing so through sin.

In other words, one can worship God through cooking, through cleaning, through singing, through dancing, through spending life with his/her spouse, through anything outside of sin...even that which we call "worldly", if their heart is seeking Him.

On the same terms, one can lack worship to God through going to church, through singing praise songs, through doing mission projects, and through anything we call "spiritual"...if their heart is not truly seeking Him.

Just a thought.

Josh

Ok so i obviously joined this discussion a little late, seeing as the last reply was in March but anyway...

I completely agree with Poet. I think many types of music can touch people in different ways and not necessarily be "christian". Jesus didn't come to save our songs but to save us. Today the christian music industry has boomed and many of those labels are controlled by the same big music moguls that have always been around. I think the division between "secular" and "christian" music is more of a marketing concept, used to target specific audiences and honestly i think it just creates more walls. When it comes to music i think the real question is whether these songs are any good and worth listening to. We should be asking ourselves questions like how is this song truthful, how has it been illuminating to me, how has it challenged me, how was it helpful? Good music is written by honest people questioning and analyzing this life we live. And sometimes those messages can move and inspire people regardless of the fact that they don't mention the word "Jesus" or "God".

A close friend of mine once told me that not all Christian music is good, and not all secular music is bad. Even Stevie Nicks, my top favorite secular artist of all time, mentions God in some of her lyrics, and she's not a Christian at all.

Your Sister in Christ