Why I Don’t Listen to Secular Music
March 12, 2010
I grew up listening to secular music. Truthfully, I could probably sing most popular songs that were produced between the 50’s and the 90’s. In High School, I would drive for hours with the windows down, and my radio blaring. I loved many different genre’s and especially how the music made me feel.
Something with a good beat could seemingly cheer me up in minutes and songs that told a story could make me cry. Some of the songs took me back to moments that had long past and some songs felt empowering. If someone had told me even 5 years ago, that I would give up secular music – I wouldn’t have believed them. And yet, I did.
Why?
1) I want to love Jesus with my whole heart.
Matthew 22:37 – Jesus replied: ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38This is the first and greatest commandment.
When I take this verse as it’s written, ALL really means ALL. When my time and attention is given to music that doesn’t glorify God, by people who( typically) aren’t living lives that glorify God, then I’m giving my heart, soul, and mind to something less that God.
Matthew 12:25, Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.
When I listen to (meditate on) secular music I’m setting myself up to be ‘divided’. What do I mean by that? If I say that I believe that the scriptures say that premarital sex, getting drunk, or a covetous lifestyle are sin, but I listen to music that is rife with such topics – I am subconsciously (sometimes consciously) agreeing with these lifestyle choices. If I don’t agree with those things, why do I allow my heart and mind to meditate on them?
When my heart is divided I lose my ability to stand on issues that really matter to Jesus’ heart. I believe that darkness is increasing in the earth and I want to have an undivided heart to be able to stand in truth at all times.
2) I want to love others as I want to be loved.
Matthew 22:39 – ‘And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
I love being around people who’s hearts are on fire with the Word of God, and who’s spirits are sensitive to Holy Spirit. I am provoked, sharpened, and encouraged by them. I want to be that kind of person!!! I believe that a wholehearted person – someone wholly given to Jesus – will love others better than someone who’s heart is divided.
3. I don’t want to open myself up to demonic influence.
I believe that’s exactly what I’m doing when I listen to that which has demonic ideas, influence, or even blatant demonic worship. When we open the door to this stuff – we are more fearful, depressed, and discouraged. If secular music is not only ‘not helpful’ but actually causes me to lose ground… then what’s the point?
Even in the case when secular music feels like a temporary ‘pick me up’, is it really worth the cost?
1 Cor. 10:20 Rather, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons. 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord’s table and of the table of demons. 22 Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He? 23 All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. 24 Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being.
4) I become like what I behold.
This one speaks for itself. I don’t want to look like the world. I want to love the world, but I want to look like Jesus.
5) Life is short and I will stand before Jesus and give an account for how I spend my time and attention.
The fact that Jesus gives us grace upon grace, and moment after moment to choose to love Him is astounding to me. And the fact that He will reward our choices rooted in love is even more amazing!!! I want to please His heart and do whatever I can to be pure and spotless. I believe what I do today will have ETERNAL consequences.
Revelation 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.
6) I want to be a friend of God.
A friend is someone I esteem, walk with, and listen to. I don’t want to esteem, agree with, and feast on what the world says and does. James tells us that being a friend of the world is hostility towards God. If I’m being hostile towards God will He want to tell me His secrets on a regular basis?
I want to hear what Jesus is saying in this hour. I want to hear His whispers and His longings. I want to be filled with His word, His truth, and His spirit. I want to walk with Him.
James 4:4-8 Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”? 6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “ God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
7) I want to write worship music and sing oracles of heaven.
To truly sing the oracles of heaven I believe you have to BECOME the message… I am a LONG way from this reality, but that’s what I want to do. In order to be a living oracle – a living song – I must consecrate my life.
Now before anyone say this is religious… I don’t think that not listening to secular music earns me anything. It doesn’t. Turning off the radio and throwing away many of my cd’s won’t make Jesus love me more. I DO believe though, that it will make my spirit more open to receive His love.
One last thing (if you’ve read this far… hang in there!) I remember a time 3 or 4 years ago when I was up late, feeling sick, and couldn’t sleep. I decided to get on Itunes and find music that I’d enjoyed over the years. Several hours probably passed as I purchased old music and found new songs that I liked. I remember a feeling of comfort as I listened.
However, I remember waking up and feeling almost hung over… and it had nothing to do with what I’d consumed the previous day. I realized that I had given my soul over to the spirit of the age as I had drunk song after song that did not glorify Jesus. Soon after this incident, I heard a teaching on turning away from secular music because of what it opens our spirits to. I was sold. I threw away my cd’s and deleted a lot of music out of my ITunes library.
I’m amazed at how much better my spirit feels on a regular basis and how much more sensitive I am to His Spirit. I’m not as anxious, fearful, or depressed as I used to be. That could also be because I cut way back on most forms of entertainment. But I’ll save that for another time… 
The Word of Promise Audio New Testament
June 19, 2009
Along the same lines as ‘The Bible Experience’ I mentioned yesterday is ‘The Word of Promise‘ New Testament Audio Bible. I believe they only have the New Testament available, but the 20 cd set is only $29 or you can buy the whole thing for $23 on ITunes.
The biggest difference is the cast of actors, the most well known being Jim Caviezel as Jesus. If you’re not familiar with his name he played Jesus in ‘The Passion of the Christ.’
I really enjoy the continuity of seeing him in that film and then hearing his voice in this project. I also really loved that it was NKJV and particularly like Louis Gossett Jr.’s role as John.
There is the same issue as I mentioned yesterday of hearing (perhaps) non-christian actors read/act the word. So, it depends on how you feel about that. But again, I do enjoy hearing different voices along with a soundtrack reading the Word of God. If you check either of these out – let me know what you think!
The Bible Experience
June 18, 2009
A couple of months ago I purchased (from ITunes) the audio recording of Revelation by – ‘Inspired By The Bible Experience‘. The whole cast is comprised of African American actors, celebrities, or pastors. You can watch the promo video on YouTube above. I really enjoyed the ‘movie’ soundtrack, as well as the sound effects. Engaging in the word was much easier with different actors assigned to specific parts – like Jesus and John (as opposed to listening to one voice read the whole text.)
I believe they used the TNIV version which isn’t may favorite but definitely isn’t my least favorite! Overall I really enjoyed it and would recommend it but not without a little hesitation.
My hesitation comes in due to the fact that several of the actors are well known – for instance Samuel L. Jackson. In the book of Revelation he is the voice of ‘The Father’. Honestly, it is a little disconcerting because I tend to associate his voice in a rather different context. I think it can do a similar thing as when you play secular songs in a worship context, which I don’t personally agree with. I think it can take you out of a worship mode into more of a ‘soulish’ place.
And while I wasn’t familiar with most of the actors voices in this particular recording, there is also the reality that the actors will bring their interpretation to the role they are reading. If they aren’t saved… then what will that look like?
I don’t know who was saved and not saved in this project but there were some interpretations that didn’t quite seem ‘on’ to me – but that doesn’t mean I’m right either! I think Jesus sounded a bit angry for the most part (in the book of Revelation), and thought it was a little interesting that all the voices of the angels were women.
Nevertheless, it IS the word of God and I really enjoyed a new way to get the word in me. You can buy the books individually for $3.99 on ITunes.
Great ‘Mom’ Blogs
June 16, 2009
So even though I’m not a mom yet, there are several blogs that I love to read that are focused largely on motherhood. These women, all intercessory missionaries at IHOP, are heroes to me in their day in day out seeking to love, and raise up warriors in the secret place. And they even find time to blog!
What I love about them is their desire to love Jesus, live focused lives, and daily take up their cross and follow after Him with all their hearts. These women are amazing!!!
They all have their own stories, but similar themes of pressing on in humility and truth. This list is by NO means exhaustive – these are just a couple of my favorites. Just thought I’d share a little of the wealth… even if you’re not a mom, check em’ out!
Cool IPhone App!
June 14, 2009
I don’t have an iPhone but I’d love this if I did. Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore Paints are offering these iPhone apps for free.
Sherwin William’s is called ‘Color Snap‘ and Benjamin Moore’s is called ‘Color Capture‘ They allow you to snap a picture of something you see with your phone and then put it into their color device, which then matches it to a paint color from their collections. Once you have a color they use your iphone’s GPS to give you an address of the closest paint store.
Pretty Sweet!
Great Blog Post on Deuteronomy!
June 1, 2009
I’ve been reading through deuteronomy lately and this blog post by Amanda Beattie got me so excited about it.
A couple of quotes:
“Deuteronomy is the bomb. It’s so much the bomb that I feel compelled to resort to hokey slang like “the bomb” to laud it. Deuteronomy? More like Deuter-ROCKIN’-ME.”
“One of the things I love about it is that it is not what most people think it is — a law book packed with rules and regulation and devoid of any tenderness or excitement.”
“Firstly, Deutoronomy is basically Moses’ last words to the nation of Israel. Everything he spoke in this book, he spoke knowing full well that the Lord was about to take him up on a mountain to die. Moses wasn’t looking at this as merely a review of the legal code (and neither was the Lord, for that matter). He was looking at a nation of people who were about to be turned over to a new leader, entering a new land, stinging from the loss of the man who had been a constant leader for them for more than forty years.”
Read the whole thing.
(I loved the whole thing but I really liked the “Deater-ROCKIN’-Me” part.)
‘It’s All Too Much’
May 29, 2009
I’ve been reading (well, listening) to a GREAT book lately called, “It’s All Too Much” by Peter Walsh. It’s written by the main ‘organizer’ on TLC’s show Clean Sweep.
If you’re unfamiliar with the show, it comes into peoples homes who have a problem with clutter. Usually they’re pretty extreme cases. For instance, they’ll come to help a couple who has kept 20 years of back issues of their 5 favorite magazines and they’re all stacked to the ceiling in their living room. The show will help them de-clutter and put systems in place to help them live ‘clutter-free’ lives.
I haven’t seen the show in some time, but what I love about the book is that it gets to the heart of the matter. ‘Why are you holding onto the stuff?’ ‘What power does it wield over you?’
I honestly didn’t think I had a problem with clutter but this book is helping me look at stuff SOOO much differently, and I’ve actually gotten rid of A LOT so far. It feels great!
Peter Walsh says,
“It’s not first and foremost about the stuff, it’s about changing your relationship to the stuff.” and “Stuff is secondary to who you are.”
He also talks about the reality of ‘living within your means’. I have always thought of this in relationship to the money you make but he applies it to the amount of space you have saying, “the amount of space you have can not be changed, the amount of stuff you have can.”
The book causes you to think about what clutter is costing you – in peace of mind, relationships, and time. How much time do you waste trying to find that paperwork you need? Are you comfortable inviting friends into your home? Do you have trouble resting in your space?
After listening to the first couple of chapters I wondered what more he could share, but he goes on to take you through your home, room by room, and helps you de-clutter.
There are many great quotes in the book and really excellent principles that I want to put into place in my life. I can’t take the stuff with me after all!
‘Ingredient’
May 17, 2009
Caleb and I tried a new restaurant for date night a couple of weeks ago. It’s called ‘Ingredient‘. I think it’s only here in the KC area (sorry out of towners!), and we went to the one located near Town Center (right behind California Pizza Kitchen for those of you locals.)
It’s a large menu specializing in salads, sandwiches, and pizzas – gourmet style. They have their own specialty dishes or you can get your own salads and pizzas made to order – featuring ingredients like (but not limited to): roasted red peppers, honey glazed carrots, edamame, kalamata olives, avocado, fresh strawberries, capacola ham, gorgonzola cheese, soy mozzarella, caramelized pecans, and plantain chips. And that is a VERY meager sampling of their many ingredients!
It’s kind of a setup similar to Panera, but a little more expensive(prob between $10-$16 a plate) and with a more extensive menu (not just the coffee and bagel thing). They have a nice little outdoor seating area as well. We sat outside on a beautiful night and it was wonderful. We actually split a salad and it was still satisfying (for the record Caleb wasn’t super hungry or it probably wouldn’t have been enough for him!)
They have a large menu and they even have a breakfast menu (only served in the am so haven’t experience that yet) so there’s lots to choose from. You can find their menu on their website (their website is not a good indicator of the experience, by the way). If you like healthy yummy food you oughta check it out!
Sacred Marriage
May 14, 2009
Ok, so if you haven’t read the book Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas – you need to!!! I read it for the first time years ago, but am re-reading it again and it is SO good.
Basically, the premise of the book is, “What if God designed marriage to make us holy more than to make us happy?” Another quote on the back of the book says, “Your marriage is more than a sacred covenant with another person. It is a spiritual discipline designed to help you know God better, trust him more fully, and love him more deeply.”
Honestly, the first time I read the book I was offended. When I first read the tag on the front cover I thought to myself, “Wow, this guy must have a bad marriage.” (For the record I was un-married at that time.)And I couldn’t have been more wrong!
What I love about this book is the clear voice it gives to the truth that marriage is truly about making us more Christ-like, and not just about making us feel good. I think that even many believers jump into marriage expecting it to be this magical satisfying experience – one that they’ve always waited for… only to find that it is difficult, and not at all what they expected.
This is the Lord’s gift to us! We were never meant to be satisfied in our spouse, but in knowing and serving God in whatever circumstance He calls us.
If marriage were a be-all end-all, than why isn’t their marriage in heaven? Exactly!
If any of you are struggling with being dis-satisfied with your marriage or struggling with being dis-satisfied even in your singleness – I’d highly recommend this book. I think it brings clarity to a topic that can be a little taboo – especially in Christian circles. And ultimately I think the book can be a great tool to re-sign up for what love really is about – laying down your life for others in the context of loving Jesus with all of your heart.
*Above photo by my beautiful sis-in-law, Maggie Powell.
Christmas Light Adventure!
December 24, 2008
Yes, yes… I know. Me and my adventures. Nevertheless, last night we (myself, my dashing husband, his sister, and our dear friend Kari) bundled up and went searching for Christmas light displays.
I did my research ahead of time and found that there are actually A LOT of places to visit in Kansas City that have pretty neat displays. A lot of them will be going until Dec. 31st so if you have time… you could still catch some!
I found a lot of the info here.
For those of you who don’t live around here the rest of this may be meaningless. But for those of you that do – you should check these places out!
The first place we tried to visit was Longview Lake’s – Christmas In the Park or Lights on the Lake. Fortunately we had read that it could take hours of bumper to bumper traffic to make it through. So when we got about a mile away and saw a long line of cars at a standstill, we knew it was time for moving on. I think their display is only through the 25th, so if you’re interested, better do it soon!
Next we headed to Metcalf to watch Vince & Associates lights (see photo above) dancing to the 96.9 on the radio. We watched from the parking lot of the Baptist church across the way and it was SO cool! Caleb and I had driven by there before and weren’t aware that it was tuned to a radio station, and just thought it was an epileptic seizure waiting to happen. However, with the music it made a lot more sense. Definitely go check this one out!
Next we went to Candy Cane Lane in Prairie Village. It was a quick drive up and back the cul de sac but very fun.
Then we were on to another ‘dancing’ Christmas light display. The ‘Dorr Family’ Christmas display. This one we tuned to 91.1. It was hysterical because they had little elf and Santa faces lit up on the roof, that sang along with the music. Very cool though hard to convey with words. Definitely worth the stop.
We continued on to Mike Babick’s house. And quite frankly, we weren’t sure what to think. Here is a link to some more pictures of it. On one hand it was really cool and super impressive that he had built it. On the other hand all the animatronic stuff kind of freaked me out. I think that’s just me though… Definitely worth the drive for the gawking factor. (You can actually go up to the house and look in all the windows. I think sometimes you can even go inside and visit with him.)
We stopped at one more spot that’s not really worth mentioning but was still fun to see. I had no idea that Kansas City had such cool displays to offer. It was definitely worth the gas (plus we had to stop at Starbucks to enjoy some salted caramel hot chocolates!) I’d recommend the whole experience!
(Only the first photo of this post is my own. The rest I got from this site.
