Christian and positive music.......A tool for His Kingdom!

The power of the Holy Spirit and the power of music collide:

I drive for a wheelchair service company so I wanted to share a short testimony today (5/29/14) about an ederly cancer patient I transported.  I always pray before I drive and ask God to allow His presence, Spirit of Healing, peace, love and joy rest upon me, my van and every patient that rides with me.

My patient climbed in the van today…she was very weak. I gave her my hand and shoulder to lean on.  We got situated and secure and started to drive and I pushed play on my portable dvd player to let the worship music play.  The radio in the van doesn’t work so I use an alternative source lol.

I usually play Chris Tomlin’s Burning Lights cd or Stephen Curtis Chapman’s latest as well as others.  My wife actually won these cds in a gift package through Portland’s own Christian radio 104.1 The fish.  As the Holy Spirit was moving and the music playing her eyes were teared up. The song on the cd ended and I asked if she’d like me to turn my music down or anything. She said, “No, it’s fine…it’s okay.”

The cd started over and the first song played called “Awake my soul” which features a part in the song with Lecrae quoting the prophecy & scripture about dry bones coming to life from the book of Ezekiel chapter 37.

Thus saith the Lord God unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live – Ezekiel 37:5

While that song played on and Lecrae began to speak the word of the Lord, her tears just started falling like rain and she was wiping her eyes and face…it was so heart-touching. My eyes teared up, but I kept it together so I could drive.  When her treatment was through and I picked her back up she was in very good spirits with some extra pep and wanted to ride in the front seat with me with the windows down lol.  She pointed out lots of trees and flowers that she loved while also naming them…….it was a blessing to me.  God is Amazing!

Here is the song that touched her by Chris Tomlin ft. Lecrae:

There are many great positive Christian radio stations out there you can listen to and stream 'live' even online. Three of my favorites are http://www.1041thefish.com/ which is located in Portland, OR and I just happen to live about 35 minutes north of Portland in WA State.  Another is http://www.klove.com/  and of course http://www.air1.com/ 

Now, here is the sample of writing from my new upcoming book "Drawing a Line in the Sand Revisited."

Music:

     There are so many different styles and forms of music that give God praise.  We must remember that Jesus doesn’t judge things by the seeing of his eyes or the hearing of his ears (Isaiah 11:1-3).  A form of music or a musical instrument cannot commit a sin only people can.  None of us on this earth are qualified to speak for God himself and say what music pleases God and what music doesn’t.  If music is played and sung from the heart then it will please God, because God only judges the heart.  Do you understand and see the point?

Some churches and denominations believe that contemporary Christian music is not appropriate and shouldn’t be played in church or anywhere.  Some churches and denominations believe that many of today’s high energy style contemporary Christian music sounds too much like the world (secular). This is a false statement. We live in the world, but that doesn’t mean we are of the world.

If you have a neighbor who is a drug dealer that lives down the road from you, and drives a car identical to yours, does that mean you are a drug dealer to? The drug dealer is worldly (of worldly things), but you have the same car so why aren’t you worldly (sinful) also? Don’t you take part in something that the drug dealer takes part in as well? Once again we (Christians) live in the world and have worldly possessions but that doesn’t mean we are of the world.

Surely Christians realize that if we have and use cell phones (iphones), ipads, computers, televisions, dvd players, watches, jewelry, designer (jeans, skirts, shoes, shirts) or even automobiles then we are using and taking part in something that the world is as well.  Does that make us worldly, lost or sinners?  The answer is no. Anything can be used and distorted for an evil purpose, but true children of God do not use things for evil.  The perfect example is sexual love within marriage between a man and woman.  Sex has been distorted and used wrongly since the days of Adam, but this doesn't make sex wrong, especially when it is done within the bonds of marriage.

How someone praises God or plays music for God is wrong to judge.  I was once in a Christian contemporary (rock) band and our band was called “Valid”.  We sung and played out of our hearts to worship Jesus and to get others to join in with us. God blessed us and others through our music.  

All of us that are saved in Christ have something on the inside of us that makes us separate and different.  This is something that a person driving past you on a road wouldn’t be able to see or recognize. This is something that is in your heart and spirit. 

You are different only because you have Jesus on the inside of you and you no longer live in darkness but live in light. God judges the heart, which means he also judges the heart of things, matters, and yes even music.  If a person is singing and playing music before the Lord out of their heart then that is what is pleasing to God and what He sees.  It is not the style of music that God judges.  Do you see the point?

     I wanted to open up something new for any person reading this book who may be saved or not. You can enjoy many styles of music by Christian artist and bands that bring God praise. There are so many Christian bands out there that adults, youth and teenagers would love.  Instead of “rocking” out to some mainstream (secular) band playing a song about sin, darkness, drinking and having sex, they could have fun listening to a Christian band or artist to lift them up while also being inspired praising the Lord with hope and joy. 

People could listen to positive and Christian artists as well as bands such as Jeremy Camp, Jason Crabb, Natalie Grant, Disciple, Fireflight, Third Day, Mercy Me, Casting Crowns, Chris Tomlin, Lecrae, Kutless, Seventh Time Down, Andy Mineo, David Crowder Band, Britt Nicole, Stellar Kart, Capital Kings, Anthem Lights, Toby Mac, Skillet, Building 429, Trip Lee, Group 1 Crew, Kari Jobe, Francesca Battistelli, Newsboys, Mandisa, Jesus Culture, Demon Hunter, Sidewalk Prophets, B-SHOC, Beckah Shae, 1 Girl Nation, Colton Dixon, Hawk Nelson, Manafest, Royal Tailor, TFK, Red, 12 Stones, Seventh Day Slumber or even Scott Stapp (former lead vocalist of the band Creed).

 

 

 These are just examples of Christian or positive artists in no particular order who bring God glory and praise by singing for the Lord.  Most of these artists and bands testify and sing about their personal experiences in God.  There are so many more excellent Christian bands and artists that I haven’t mentioned but they are all for God’s purpose.  Many of these artists are able to reach others, especially the youth, in ways that typical preachers could not.  Some of these artists go to extreme even mixing with mainstream artist, but why?  To be like Jesus who sat and ate with the sinners and publicans to save, change and rehabilitate the world and the culture surrounding them.

Lecrae, Andy Mineo and Trip Lee are three of my favorite positive hip hop artists. Andy Mineo put on an exceptional show in Portland, OR at the Roadshow:

      I also wanted to mention that there are many music artists in every genre who sing or play instruments that bring God glory even in mainstream. They use their talent or sing about things in a positive manner that God created such as love, life, family, victory-defeat and creation sharing their own personal experiences in their music. God not only created music for worship but for people to enjoy. Many of these artists are Christians and believe in God even if they’re not completely outspoken about it.  I remember several mainstream artists from the 1980’s that really wrote some good positive and inspiring music. Some examples from the 80’s are Steve Winwood, Aretha Franklin and Chaka Khan who has even collaborated recently with positive hip-hop artist Lecrae who is a very outspoken Christian. The band U2 is another good example. One good example of positive music today is Chris Daughtry of the band Daughtry.  There are many positive country music artists as well who are Christians including grammy winner Carrie Underwood who played a role in the positive Christian movie “Soul Surfer.” Just because an artist isn’t signed with a Christian label doesn’t mean they don’t or can’t bring God glory with their music or help people.  If God could use a donkey to talk to Balaam (Numbers 22:25-31) then he can surely use some mainstream music to talk to us in various areas of our lives if He so chooses.  The song “In Your Eyes” by Peter Gabriel is a really good example of an inspiring song from the 80’s.  The song could easily be identified as a person struggling with or seeking God, love and direction. 

How do Christians expect to be a witness to the lost and show the love of Christ to others if they only want to interact with other Christians or things related to only Christianity?.......You'll have to purchase my book after it's released onto the market for the rest of the story...

This is a direct copy from my upcoming book "Drawing a Line in the Sand Revisited" and is copyrighted & protected.
Written by Daniel L. Staneart

You can visit me on twitter at

https://twitter.com/DannyLS74

The Christian rock band Kutless is also from Portland, OR and they are one of my favorites.  I saw them live last year outside at the Clark County Fair and they put on a great show as well as giving a good testiomony:

 

There are always great concerts featuring Christian positive bands available to go see as well.  I went to see The Roadshow this past winter in Portland, OR at the Moda Center (Rose Garden) and it was a great show with plenty of awesome music and testimony.

Skillet was the headliner at The Roadshow in Portland and they were one of the best live bands that I have ever seen in my life.  Here is their opening intro and song "Hero" from the Portland concert. They finally walk out on stage after their intro played for about 1.5 minutes and they were electrifying. This isn't the full song of Hero they performed live but the lights go out and everything stops (which is where this video ends-sorry) and then all of the sudden they just kick back in hard and heavy finishing the song:

Other upcoming great positive Christian concerts around the U.S. & in WA as well as Oregon is the Fish Fest and Creation Fest.  Go check them out if you get a chance they have some great line-ups this year.

What is the purpose behind my hopeful upcoming new book “Drawing a Line in the Sand Revisited”, why was it written and what audience will it appeal to?

My book was primarily written to reestablish God’s word which was already written and to also support creation. I wrote it to lift up the name of Jesus drawing a line in the sand against Satan and all those who bring and try to keep division in the body of Christ. Too many churches and denominations slander each other, backbite and separate themselves from one another just because of their denominational name, traditions, standards, customs or personal theological view and teachings. I witnessed this going on in various ways while living in Louisiana for thirty-four years. Certain denominations have always been divided against one another although there are many true spirit-filled, kind and loving Christians within every denomination and church. My book may also help bridge a gap between some Christians and denominations through biblical scripture. We are all one body as brothers and sisters in Christ no matter what denomination or church we attend as long as the GOSPEL OF CHRIST is being taught and preached. The gospel of Christ is the birth, life, teachings, crucifixion, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This book also contains a great deal of scripture verses for ease of memory, especially from what book, chapter and verse it is located.

We are to love, care for, encourage and lift up one another. God created diversity not division. I wrote my book to answer many questions people have. I also wrote it to share valuable information, sources, links as well as empower people through facts and biblical scripture guided by the Holy Spirit on several topics, but under four major categories which are:  Salvation, Holy Ghost, Water Baptism and Divisions in the body of Christ.
I pray that my writings and book will be used as a tool for the kingdom of God and a blessing to people!

 

 My testimony to draw the line in the sand:

      I received a prophetic message during a prayer service in Louisiana by a woman in 2008 that I would write a book that would help people, but I definitely didn’t know anything about book writing or publishing. I wrote this Christian book called “Drawing a Line in the Sand” and had it self-published in 2009 through AuthorHouse Publishing.  I put my own money into the book but I never was satisfied with it at all. When I started writing the book I was grieving over the loss of my mother Vicki, and so it was a way for me to cope with her death which truly kept me grounded in the word of God.
The book was kind of boring and immaturely written and the Spirit of the Lord knew how I felt about it. I wrote some things that I believe were not correct as well. The last section of the book that I wrote on end-times was something that I was not ready to write back then, so I completely removed it.  I have grown immensely as a writer since 2008 both in wisdom as well as knowledge on the word of God.  Writing and self publishing my first book was definitely a growing and learning experience for me and I learned a lot even about marketing.  However, the book did have potential and served as well as a biblical study guide.  I really had to just spend some time rewriting, updating, editing and most importantly defining the purpose of my book.
I learned a great lesson to not ever rush something that you are meant to take time with it.  Put true quality into your work and not quantity.  I received two more prophetic messages in 2013 and 2014 by a man at the church where I currently attend in Washington State.  I knew the prophetic message for me was from God because this man didn’t know me at all.  The first time he came up to me out of the blue and said, “You’ve stopped writing, and God wants you to write.” You could imagine how I felt because this man didn’t know me at all and it was true.  I did stop writing and was discouraged, but that really encouraged me and so I created a facebook, twitter page and a blog for writing. The second prophecy I received from the same man again in early 2014 was a message about God using my writings to help many people. He said that my writings would even go into dark places to reach people where others have not.  I knew in my heart and spirit that I needed to rewrite and revise my first book and then get it published again.  I began writing on two books at once. The first was rewriting “Drawing a Line in the Sand”, and thank God I have accomplished that.  The second book I am currently writing is on the rise of the Antichrist.  It will be about the last days but with a new twist that no other end-time book offers that I know of.

Let God draw a line in the sand today against the gates of hell in your life.  Don't give up, BE a fighter...

I have several writings in my blog which has received some small publicity and now almost 1,700 views. So far the writing that has received the most views is a sample writing from my manuscript on Enoch, Noah, giants and the flood along with so much more.  Feel free to check it out.......

This is my attempt at a self-made promo video for my new hopeful upcoming book called "Drawing a Line in the Sand Revisited." Really I just like the song lol, but the video reveals reasons why my book was written as well as some questions & topics answered and covered in my work. The song playing during the video is called "Draw the Line" by the Christian rock band 'Disciple'.