Now I'm going to get in a bit of a debate here and possibly become offensive to some. Forgive me but, I must share.
;)
Have you ever heard of Bill Gaither?
He is a "southern" gospel singer/songwriter.
Starting out in the 50's as "The Gaither Trio", he now has what seems like a whole community of gospel singers following right in his footsteps. He has discovered so many great singers like Steve Green, Sandi Patti, David Phelps, Michael W. Smith, Larnelle Harris, Mark Lowry, and so many others. You can read more about him here.
I grew up with these Bill Gaither songs. Mom told me just today that when Jordan was very little she could sing right along with most of his songs. If you haven't heard any of his work, you must. Click on this:http://www.gaither.com/
Go up to the top bar and click on "Media" to start listening. Just to warn you though, once you get started on 1 song, it's just the beginning of a huge web. You won't stop listening;)
This Sunday afternoon, I don't know what started Mom, but she began on the "youtube-Gaither-music-I-can't-stop-listening-to-this-music" web, and couldn't stop. She carried the computer around with her all day as she went about making lunch and doing things around the house. It was attached to her, playing so many Gaither songs. If you needed Mom, just listen for Steve Green blasting out of her laptop speakers, she'll be right there with them. She would crack up every once in awhile when she would come across another Mark Lowry skit and eventually announced, (as if it wasn't obvious;) "I could listen to this music all day long." And if I remember clearly, she pronounced some time ago that she would like Steve Green to be playing in her ears when she is near death. Yes, she said that;)
I remember once as Mom and I were watching the "Homecoming" (i believe it's called) concert 1 day that as I was sitting there seeing this incredible performance unfold I asked Mom, "What are we going to do when Bill Gaither is not alive?" What is going to happen to Christian music? It's amazing to watch and listen to the difference between Christian music then, and "contemporary" Christian music now.
Now, before I really go off, Mom will admit that she has become very fond of Mercy Me. They do fall under the "contemporary" category I do believe, but, they are not singing for just themselves or for a certain image. She loves most of their songs because they have excellent, meaningful messages in their songs. They are a good different.
But getting back to the point,
watch this performance-representing the "then":
And this performance representing the "now" and/or future:
What did you see?
I see first off, no comparison.
I see it as frankly, terrifying!
The purpose of the "Gaither Community" is so much different than the purpose of the other. Gaither songs have so much truth, so much power in every song. In just about every video performance of a Gaither songs we watched, the entire crowd was touched and left in tears. The faith and love for God shines through these singers as they praise their God with these marvelous songs. Whereas the "Take It All" performance just left you with ringing ears and maybe even a want to go bathe. (Was that too harsh....?)
I think the only thing that concerns the other "take it all" singers is how famous they may get someday or how good they looked up on stage. When I heard that song, all I heard was music. Just the loud music. I didn't understand a word except for when 'Take it all' was shouted. What are you supposed to learn from that? What do you take from that?
It's sad.
It's sad what we've come to.
It's sad what we've come to as "ok" to listen to.
It's terrible that this has crept up to churches and then welcomed in with open arms.
"Whatever gets them in."
It's wrong.
It's, sad.
I'm not sure what to do besides, pray. Pray that God will lead us to a solution to make others see what damage this new music, new way of reaching out to lost others may and maybe even will do.
We will continue to stand up for this. Gaither songs will always be playing in the Mechling family. These songs will be playing in my family. I hope these songs will start or continue playing in your homes too. They've been playing here for years and it's not about to stop:)
I hope you've taken a listen and fallen in love with it all as much as we have.
It truly is amazing what God has done in good ol' Bill Gaither's life.
What an incredible follower of God.
:)
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