Mood:
sharpNow Playing: Robbie Williams' "Lazy Days"
over the past couple of years, i have noticed how there are fewer and fewer Christian artists with whom i can connect with. that's not to say there aren't any, because that would be untrue. Rich Mullins, dc Talk, Michael W Smith, Steven Curtis Chapman, Geoff Moore, Ginny Owens, Newsboys, and Sara Groves still reach me, touch me, and inspire me.
but more and more, i'm connecting with secular artists. why is that?
my personal opinion (hypothesis, if you will) is because Christian artists are hampered by Christian expectations. every single song they sing has to reflect back to Christ.
which, i know, sounds terrible. "isn't that the point? isn't that what we're all supposed to do?" yes, ya' got me there. but the problem is, most Christians, it seems, not only want the Gospel, they want the kosher Gospel. they don't want all the bumps, stains, hiccups, bruises, sweat, scars, heartache and headache that makes the Gospel necessary. they just want the "yay Jesus" songs, as i call them.
now don't get me wrong. i love a good "yay Jesus" song. but Monday through Friday, when i'm going to work, going to school, dealing with taxes, rent, bills, escalating gas prices, i don't need (or want) a "yay Jesus" song. i want someone to reflect with me that this world is crap and that there's a better way. that we need to rise above this.
enter the spiritual guidance councilors Bruce Springsteen, U2, Bon Jovi, Jewel, Alanis Morissette, Eminem, Kanye West, Chris Gaines, and Robbie Williams.
here's a bunch of cats that have touched me on a deeply profound spiritual level and these are the same kids that sing about sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll. they confront the real problems and stuff that we have to deal with when you exist in this world and say, "hey, it don't got to be like that."
i have enclosed the lyrics to Kanye West's "Jesus Walks." i hope it ministers to ya'.
Jesus Walks
We at war with terrorism, racism, and most of all we at war with ourselves
Jesus walks
God show me the way because the Devil trying to break me down
Jesus walks with me
With me with me with me [fades]
You know what the Midwest is?
Young & Restless
Where restless Niggaz might snatch your necklace
And next these Niggaz might jack your Lexus
Somebody tell these Niggaz who Kanye West is
I walk through the valley of Chi where death is
Top floor the view alone will leave you breathless
Uhhhh!
Try to catch it
Uhhhh!
It's kinda hard
Getting choked by the detectives yeah yeah now check the method
They be asking us questions, harass and arrest us
Saying "we eat pieces of shit like you for breakfast"
Huh? Ya'll eat pieces of shit? What's the basis?
We ain't going nowhere but got suits and cases
A trunk full of coke rental car from Avis
My momma used to say only Jesus can save us
Well momma I know I act a fool
But I'll be gone til November I got packs to move I Hope
Jesus walks
God show me the way because the Devil trying to break me down
Jesus Walks with me
The only thing that I pray is that me feet don't fail me now
Jesus walks
And I don't think there is nothing I can do now to right my wrongs
Jesus walks with me
I want to talk to God but I'm afraid because we ain't spoke in so long
To the hustlas, killers, murderers, drug dealers even the strippers
Jesus walks for them
To the victims of welfare for we living in hell here hell yeah
Jesus walks for them
Now hear ye hear ye want to see Thee more clearly
I know He hear me when my feet get weary
Cuz we're the almost nearly extinct
We rappers are role models we rap we don't think
I ain't here to argue about his facial features
Or here to convert atheists into believers
I'm just trying to say the way school need teachers
The way Kathie Lee needed Regis that's the way ya'll need Jesus
So here go my single dog radio needs this
They say you can rap about anything except for Jesus
That means guns, sex, lies, video tapes
But if I talk about God my record won't get played huh?
Well let this take away from my spins
Which will probably take away from my ends
Then I hope this take away from my sins
And bring the day that I'm dreaming about
Next time I'm in the club everybody screaming out
Jesus walks
God show me the way because the Devil trying to break me down
Jesus walks
The only thing that I pray is that me feet don't fail me now