Contemporary Christian Music

I love it. (Contemporary Christian music) The words are so profound for me. The music reaches me so deep. I know some people who feel that way about hymns, and that is great. I usually feel the words, but usually the music itself I can't really "get into". Of course, not all of the contemporary songs out there touch me on that special level, but those that do really stick out for me.

I just get caught up in these songs and find them so powerful. Here are some lines that I find particularly inspiring and encouraging, even convicting:

I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm (Praise you in this Storm - Casting Crowns)

Who Am I, that the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love and watch me rise again (Who Am I - Casting Crowns)

It's been a hard year.
But I'm climbing out of the rubble.
These lessons are hard.
Healing changes are subtle.
But every day it's...
Less like tearing more like building.
Less like captive more like willing.
Less like breakdown more like surrender.
Less like haunting more like remember.
And I feel you here.
And you're picking up the pieces.
Forever faithful.
It seemed out of my hands a bad situation.
But you are able.
And in your hands the pain and hurt
look less like scars and more like character. (Less Like Scars - Sara Groves)

I am Yours regardless of
The dark clouds that may loom above
Because You are much greater than my pain
You who made a way for me
By suffering Your destiny
So tell me what's a little rain (Bring the Rain - Mercy Me)

Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord (Blessed Be Your Name - Matt Redman)

But the waves are calling out my name and they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed
...
But the voice of truth tells me a different story
And the voice of truth says "Do not be afraid!"
And the voice of truth says "This is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth (Voice of Truth - Casting Crowns)

OK, so I guess I could just look up these scriptures and get the same inspiration, but it is good for me to hear it during the day, either on the radio or as it replays in my head. Sometimes we also need a little interpretation on these things to bring deeper meaning. These artists are so talented at bringing God's word out there for us to just breath in, to live in our lives, to meditate on in a new way.

It might be an interesting way to do scripture memorization - say to attach a passage from the Bible to a song and whenever that song came on to try to recite the scripture and reference number.

Anyway, what are your preferences? Do you like hymns or contemporary, or both??