I once attened a CCM concert with some church friends. They, otherwise "normal" appearing people, started dancing in the aisles. I got that sickening feeling akin to sharing a seat in the bus with someone who is drunk. It's just not cool to be around anyone who is in an altered state!

For a week after that concert I would jump at the sound of a pencil tapping on a desk--it made me so skittish and nervous. It's been over 15 years. I don't think enough time has passed till I'd ever want to go and hear another CCM "superstar."

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As the Happy Moments Roll,

Pastor Andrew

It is so hard to believe that anyone could really think that only the words determine the character of music, that no style of music is evil in and of itself. Everyone knows about mood music - the soothing stuff they play at the dentist's office to relax the nervous patients, the ominous stuff they play at the "danger" points in movies, etc. But if you try to share these facts with some people, they refuse to believe any of it.

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The Lord is the strength of my life and my portion forever.

It is obvious that music affects the body. Anyone that denies that is foolish. However ALL music does affect us, whether for better or worse. And Linda, what you have posted is excellent material, and it describes to me at least, music that puts you in an almost trance like state and moves you to do thinfs you wouldn't normally do, or a drunken state as Pastor Andrew described it. However, that still leaves a wide gulf between music that is generally accepted in Christian circles and music that is considered bad. For example, Ray Boltz is considered a contemporary christian musician. I enjoy some of his songs and some I can do without, but none of them alter my normal behaviour in an extreme or negative way. Contemporary suimply means current, and EGW encouraged us to always be developing new songs, keeping our experience fresh.
David's Worship in Song --Daily revelations of the character and majesty of his Creator filled the young poet's heart with adoration and rejoicing. In contemplation of God and His works, the faculties of David's mind and heart were developing and strengthening for the work of his after-life. He was daily coming into a more intimate communion with God. His mind was constantly penetrating into new depths for fresh themes to inspire his song and to wake the music of his harp. The rich melody of his voice, poured out upon the air, echoed from the hills as if responsive to the rejoicing of the angels' songs in heaven.--PP 642.
Manuscript Releases Volume Twenty, page 269, paragraph 1
Chapter Title: The Need for Simplicity and Consecration in School Work
We need to prepare the way of the Lord, according to the light given. We need to have a new experience. We need to offer praise and thanksgiving to God, not only in the congregation, but in the home life. Let the voices of His heritage be heard recounting the works of the Lord. Speak of His goodness, tell of His power. Whom have I in heaven but Thee? And there is none upon the earth that I desire but Thee. We need more songs of praise and less murmuring and complaining.

There are more such quotes and better ones but I haven't the time. My point is that music is vitally important and because it is new does not make it bad, nor does the instrument on which it is played make it bad. Perhaps, "By their fruits you shall know them is a better guideline"

I agree with you Dan. Many of today's musicians, such as Ray Boltz, have some good music and some that is not so good. Personally, I sing a lot of Ray Boltz's music for church, because he expresses so well what I feel. My favorite is "I Pledge Allegiance to the Lamb," and the first time I sang it, a conference official who was our guest speaker that day, was so moved by the sentiment of the song that he spent the first several minutes of his sermon time telling what it meant to him, and he ended his sermon by saying, "I want to pledge allegiance to the Lamb."

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The Lord is the strength of my life and my portion forever.

Praise the Lord Cathy. I have found that songs are really powerful when they mean something personal to the singer. Keep praising God with the talent He has given.

Wow guys! talk about shooting fish in a barrol. put some sheet music in and see what happens. You know there are rules God himself told us to fallow from the bible about Sabbith. I do know that I love the church I first came to when I became adventist, one thing that I hated but now hold dear when I visit is the piano player. she has a VERY firm touch on those keys. I feel like i'm at home when I hear her. thats her style, it isn't upbeat, just firm. If there is toe tapping music, or rhythmicly inclined music we run the risc in church of falling into our feelings, and satin loves us to depend on our feelings. It really depends on what is going on at church. if we are in the sanctuary, we should be more reverent. if we are studying bible certainly lets have respect. If we are having a tallent show, we can get more respectfully uplifting being carefull not to join the secular world of course. Music can show grief, respect, as well as joy and jubilation, but when the music gets us to loose ourselves, our thoughts go to places it wouldn't normally and we loose ourselves than we know it isn't right. But thats where we have to also be carefull about judging. if someone is enjoying a rendition of amazing grace by elvis prescily, thats for God to decide not us. if we are listning to amazing grace by ac/dc, than I think that may be safe to say we should truly pray before condeming the act:}, but you get my meaning I hope. If it feels wrong, pray and study about it and stay out of that situation untill you get an answer from God, not just what feels right or seems right.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

2 Corinthians 6:15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
We are not to mix the things of Christ with the things of Belial [the devil], a prime example is the mixture of 'Godly' lyrics with the music of the synagouge of satan.

Some things are better left alone, this is one.
It worms it's way into your mind and becomes a part of you.

We need to be concetrating on the word of God and the life and example of Jesus the Christ.

By beholding, we become.
A simple fact that has proven out time after time.

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Examine me, O LORD, and prove me: try my reins and my heart. Ps.26:2
It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in men.Ps.118:8