Television Revivals

If you get to know me on any level, you'll find out very quickly how passionate I am about wholesome television series from past decades. A lot of my favorites came from the 90s and I could watch them over and over and over. And as a dedicated fan, a lot of times it is a given that if ever there was an announcement to bring the show back I would probably be a very happy camper...almost. Not quite. Okay, maybe a little happy. But I would not be ecstatic. Let me explain.

As many of you have seen and heard, Netflix recently announced the comeback of the 80s/90s hit sitcom Full House. I've never seen the show in full, but from what I have seen, it was a decent family drama containing little to no language or explicit visual content. While a few world views here or there could be an issue, overall it seemed like a decent product of 90s television that uplifted family values. Yet as the reunion series Fuller House dawned on television on-demand worldwide yesterday, I began seeing comments here and there from fans expressing their disappointment that the creators had perverted the series into something it shouldn't be. From some language, to sexual innuendo, very immodest dress, and other things I heard mentioned, it was confirmed that my biggest concern still exists.

I would love for Dr. Quinn, Road to Avonlea, and Walker Texas Ranger to come back. I would probably be ecstatic if they announced these shows were making a comeback. But at the same time, I have this slight fear that it will be modernized if they do. That it will loose the nostalgia in the process of revival. I would rather keep it as is and enjoy what I have of it incessantly instead of chancing that the creators will morph it into something "worthy of the modern audience." When in reality, the modern audience could use more of what we had back then and not the filth the secular world of today says is necessary. And that's my two cents for today.

Treasure

While everyone's raving about the latest in Christian music and worship trends and enjoying their modern 2015 dubstep sounds (see last post for deepened opinions about this), I'm over here in my little corner of the world with my Spotify, hitting repeat on such 80s and 90s hits--at least they're hits in my book--from artists like Amy Grant, Russ Taff, Cindy Morgan, Pam Thum, David Meece, Kim Boyce, Kathy Troccoli, Margaret Becker, okay I'll stop now. But needless to say, my musical repertoire is full of goodness from the last century. And I'm not ashamed of it whatsoever!

It's one of my favorite parts about my summer in 2015, my discovery of these gems from yesteryear. It all began with Amy Grant. Of course I've always heard and enjoyed her music. But I had not listened to all her music. About a hundred songs later, I was hooked. And gladly! And thus began my journey. Digging into the past. Unearthing hidden treasures. Soaking in the goodness of the past. And throughout my digging, unearthing, and soaking, I discovered my new favorite artist who is absolutely wonderful the best most talented Christian singer I've ever heard. Her music is quite rare to find. But I got ahold of three of her 80s and 90s CDs and love every chance I get to hear her music. Who am I talking about? Connie Scott. If you haven't heard her music, your missing out. Seriously. So to remedy that, here are a couple of my favorite songs of hers for you take a listen.

Filled with God's presence and an artistry that has seemed to fade with time, Connie Scott's music is one of a kind. From the soft notes of reflection to the invigorating 80s guitar solos, her songs paint a picture and write magnificent notes that tell of life, love, salvation, and healing to a depth that takes you away and to another place. I will treasure her music always. Because her music is truly a treasure in this day and time. Thank you, Connie Scott, for lending your talents to Christian music. I pray your music will continue to bless others for many years to come! For your music has truly been a blessing to me.

In my efforts to see that Connie Scott's music won't be soon forgotten, I started up a fan page on Facebook to support her and her wonderful music. If you'd like to view the page and give it a LIKE, you can visit it at www.facebook.com/conniescottfans

A Time to Vent

There's a time to every season. And right now I need to vent. Well, more like implore, beseech, pray, beg, plead, and encourage this generation to get a grip. I know. We could be here awhile if I fully addressed this issue. But there is one particular subject I must vent about the most in this post.

If you know me, you will know how passionate I am about wholesome entertainment. Moreover you know how picky I am and how serious I take it. I can pinpoint good quality productions from a mile away. And I bet you'd never guess all the ones I'd choose. That aside, I need to address a different area that I may not speak of often but is one of my biggest pet peeves. But moreover, I believe that it is an issue in the body of Christ not just my own personal preference. And that issue is the music of today. I know what you're thinking. "Yeah I know. Kids listen to way too much secular music. I agree. They should be listening to Christian music more." And while this argument is one hundred percent true, my angst is with Christian music not secular music. Yep, I said it. You see, the secular world is going to always be nuts and make filth. But last time I checked, Christians are supposed to be Christlike and show the difference in everything they produce. As a musician, you have a tremendous power to form a generation's stereotypes and make the mark of that time. And I say with sadness that Christians have come close to missing the mark here.

One of my biggest concerns is worship music. Today's modern worship fad puts a bad taste in my mouth. I don't like it, and I'm not afraid to say it. The wave of popularity that is modern worship music could ultimately be described as a dumbing down of intelligence and a moving away from the true connection with God's spirit. It is not right. I have to guard myself from getting bothered physically due to its distracting sound every time I hear one of these modern worship songs. And if I hear that same chord progression for the 458th time in a row for the next five minutes, I'm gonna throw something. And please stop rocking back and forth and back and forth saying, "We need your fire, Lord." with that same four-chord rhythm in the background. Nothing wrong with what you're saying, but...Ugh. There's just something about this music that gets my goat. I won't name specific names for courtesy's sake. And please just sing...Quit using your voice in a low, drawn-out tone like you're trying to pull something down from heaven. And every song on a CD shouldn't be a repetition and reinvention of the chord progression in the last eight songs with its simple, repetitive lyrics and lack of depth. Now, don't get me wrong. The messages in the songs are wonderful. Nothing about them is false in doctrine, so to speak. Yet my recent journey into the past by way of artists that paved the way such as Kathy Troccoli, Amy Grant, Rich Mullins, and others, makes me want to cry. There is little in our modern worship that looks to them with thanks for paving the way. In some ways I feel we have limited ourselves in the way we write music. Why are we swaying away from what has worked in the past? We've lost that true artistic touch that is truly connecting with the spirit of God and letting Him create a distinct masterpiece in each of our songs. I don't know. I have a feeling that most of you won't even understand me. Anyways....

Just the other day I had put on my wireless headphones, connected up with my phone and put Kathy Troccoli's discography on Spotify shuffle and started grooving around the house. And then one of my favorite worship songs of her's from the 80s/90s came on. I had to stop. Because the song stopped me. I couldn't help the smile that eased onto my face as I closed my eyes, lifted my hands, danced a little, and worshiped my Jesus. There's no feeling quite like a song that truly came from the spirit of God and was planted among us. And you could tell it had been written with such care and simple complexity that put deep joy in my heart and brought me straight before the throne of God.

Please...Don't forget the past as you create for the future! Don't water the sound down to please a modern audience. I know times change. But we don't have to change with them and conform to them. There's nothing about last century's Christian music/worship style that is outdated. Who knows...Perhaps it's time we returned to our roots and figure out what made their music great in years past. I know I've discovered it. And I pray you all do too. And you don't have to go very far back to discover it.

Here's a small taste of the past...I pray the anointing and sound of this comes back to our present and our future. Listen...and hear the difference. Moreover, know the difference.  "...and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come." - Revelation 4:8