Retriever On Praise Songs

I have written with some irritation about praise songs in the past, but it has been unfair criticism. They aren't all Jesus-is-my-boyfriend music, and I perhaps got too bothered by praise choruses in the 70's and 80's, then a lot of Christian school and childrens choir music - which one shouldn't expect to be complex or sophisticated. I am making my peace with the genre, because it actually does accomplish, when done well, an emotional response that remains tethered to doctrine rather than mere mystic or ecstatic experience. that's a good thing.

Retriever's post helps here. From The Inside Out.

But for everyday get me through real life, I want rollicking music, emotional stuff. Evangelicals brought me back to God, loved me, held me, comforted me in the darkest days of my life. Reminded me that God cared, God was in charge, God had great plans for this world and all of us critters. Brought me hope. Reminded me that this life isn't all about us, but about reaching out to Him, and following Him. And that life isn't about chasing happiness and toys, but struggling towards holiness. No matter how often we fail.

As out-of-touch as I am, I did not immediately thing of Hillsong from the title, but a childrens song From the inside out
God's working on me... Okay I'll spare you that. not so moving as the Hillsong tune.

But here's another, a video Ben did for Good Friday service this year. It has that slow build that only works if you are singing along, not just watching. So at least hum.



(I'd love to visit my son during Christmas or Easter weeks to experience first hand what he does for work at this church, but traveling 1500 miles to be there while he works 80+ hours those weeks seems sorta beside the point.)