I like a lot of different genres of music. Here are some of my favorite Christ-honoring bands from various genres. Some are very direct with their Christian message. Others express their faith in Christ through incredibly talented and creative music (the way Bach did) combined with themes that the Bible tells us touch the heart of God. Both approaches engage people with the truths of Scripture in powerful ways using vocals and all sorts of musical instruments.
● Matt Redman — songs include “10,000 Reasons” and “Never Once”
● Skillet — songs include “Hero” and “Monster”
● Casting Crowns — songs include “Praise You in the Storm” and “Who Am I”
● Lecrae — songs include “Power Trip” and “Don’t Waste Your Life”
● TobyMac — songs include “Speak Life” and “Me Without You”
There are a lot more that could be added to the list. Feel free to share below.
A friend of mine is good friends with Mark Hall and the rest of the gang of Casting Crowns. He and his wife serve in their Youth Ministry. I really enjoy Casting Crowns. The lyrics are very thought provoking and the music is great!
Agreed!
Oh my, you have opened pandora’s box (unrelated to the music player, of course). Let’s see:
Newsong, Big Daddy Weave, Brandon Heath, Matthew West, Chris Rice, Passion Worship in it’s many different forms (guess Matt Redman already touches on that), Jason Gray, Kristian Stanfill, Leeland. How about Petra? Phillips, Craig & Dean? Oh, and Plumb. Revive. Robin Mark. This could be a long list; think I better quit. Thanks for helping choose my playlist for a while 🙂
Like!
We may have to have a music-listening session together sometime!
Toby Mac is one of my favorites and his latest was given to me – literally by God – at the very time I needed it most.
This past June I was diagnosed with colon cancer and had to have about 45 cm removed and then chemo treatments thru Aug and Sep. As I was sitting in front of the Georgia Oncology Specialist building in Lawrenceville, I could see the building in the review mirror but only the word oncology was visible in my rear view mirror. I took a deep breath and as I started to get out of the car, my iPhone “dinged”. I saw I had post from Toby Mac (well I am sure it really came from whoever maintains his Facebook or Social Media accounts), and it was them promoting his next single to come out – Speak Life. I had about 15 minutes before I had to be at my appointment so I thought this can’t hurt to listen to a new song – so I played it. I never use my phone to listen to music – I actually just use it for a phone.
The video was of a woman getting out of her car approaching the Highlands Oncology Group and going up a flight of stairs as she entered. On each step stood someone from the office – patient, doctor, nurse, receptionist, etc. – that presented her a small 4×6 card with such things as BELIEVE, FAITH, TRUTH, HEALING, LOVE, LIFE written on then. She continued up the stairs as the video continued to show others ready to receive treatments and one very lovely lady looking right into the camera as she reached up and removed her very natural looking wig to reveal a very bald head. She had a look of confidence and assurance that was so uplifting that as I watched, I cried. I knew that the song was about what you have been talking about with Bold Words – we are to use our words to help not hurt, to build up and not to tear down – but the term Speak Life gave me a different message (as God often does in our little mini sermons). At the end of the song, I got out of the car, entered the building and turned left toward the stairs instead of taking the elevator and as I took each step, I repeated the words I had seen in the video and just dared to SPEAK LIFE in the face of Satan in the form of cancer yet again and actually had a smile on my face when I got upstairs to the oncologist office.
I know we all have trials thrown at us when we think it is the worst time ever – but if we will just “be still and know that HE IS GOD” we will also know that no matter what it is, we are never going thru those trials alone. Jesus spoke that as his last words to us – His reassurance that no matter what, He would never leave us and He would be there for us; that the words we speak reflect what we believe and the words from Toby Mac’s song told me that months before the song was actually released.
Our God is awesome in His timing. He has never failed me.
Yes! Love listening to Toby Mac.
great story Grace!
Fernando Ortega is great
Five Iron Frenzy – my oldie-but-goodie addition to the list. “Dandelions” is a great track. What’s not to love about a song that includes the line “Lord, search my heart, Create in me something clean; Dandelions; You see flowers in these weeds.”
Owl City – my (relatively) new music addition to the list. If you haven’t heard the track “Galaxies” it’s a pretty good one. I don’t listen to a lot of electronic music, but Owl City (Adam Young) have some fun tracks with wide appeal. Love the line at the bridge: “Oh telescope, Keep an eye on my only hope, Lest I blink and get swept off the narrow road….He is the saving grace of the galaxies.”
And Bob Marley, with some God-honoring lyrics, although the man wasn’t perfect. His early song “Thank You Lord” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9DDDj_JdMA) has a lot of great lines, much of which could make good of any quick prayer moment:
Thank you, Lord, for what you’ve done for me.
Thank you, Lord, for what you’re doing now.
Thank you, Lord, for ev’ry little thing.
Thank you, Lord, for you made me sing.
If we get our own Pandora stations in heaven, mine will have those songs on it for sure. I’ll pump it up plenty loud in my room so y’all can hear it. 🙂
Now this is really going to date me, but…. The Gaithers! 🙂 (no snickering allowed!!)