The Front Porch

I can't say the word. 

I'm not much for rom*nce stories; however, every good story must have some rom*nce in it.  And that's exactly what our story has.  STOP!  Promise me you'll read the post below.

My story does have rom*nce, in that a brave Hero fights for His bride.  The brave Hero willingly pays the greatest sacrifice in order to have a pure relationship with me. At times I turn my back, I have even called out in rebellious anger, "Stay away!"  Yet, He pursues.  Because I'm great?  No, because my Hero is loving.  This love hung Him on the cross.  And He still pursues, not that I may feel good (remember you're reading the post below this one), but that His name be magnified.

Here I stand, humbled by the loving pursuit of great Hero.

I love to sing about a relationship with the Savior.  I'm not talking about a lovey-dovey, "This is my friend," that most contemporary artists want Christians to dwell on.  The love Christ has for me is much deeper than making me feel good about who I am.   I'm tired of songs (like this, this, and this--just click on LISTEN after following the provided links) that could just as easily be sung in a lounge about two lovers, and then at the end of the song the artist might sneak in, "That's my Jesus."  Even the world, such as this journalist at NY Times, can see the humor, even sickness, in such foolishness.

I'm not discounting CCM here with a wide brush.  Nor am I tying myself strictly to traditional, high-church music; though  I do appreciate the doctrine and enjoy them in church services.  To be honest, I love and often even prefer what we call WORSHIP AND PRAISE music (such as this, this, and this). 

Again, I'm not painting with a wide brush. I'm not saying that all of traditional hymns are fine.  Actually, I don't agree with and won't sing all hymns.  In the same manner, I'm not approving W&P across the board.