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Worship Is Worship Is Worship

Why do we need to put some of it in a box?

Jared Martinson

Oct 03, 2016

Bethel University-MN

needtobreathe.com

Spotify might be the greatest invention of all time. You know why? Because I am able to create a playlist of 500 (and counting) of the best worship songs.

From mid-2000s contemporaries like Chris Tomlin and Casting Crowns to new megabands Bethel Music and Hillsong UNITED, the way that Christian music is created is different, yet the same. Words and communication change, but the essence always sticks: God is good and you are loved.

Lately there's been a lot of criticism regarding lyrical interpretation of worship songs. The most prominent argument is when a song fails to mention God directly. An example is "Draw Me Close" by Michael W. Smith. It never says who the "you" is, and could be taken as a simple love song. I don't like that argument because sure, it isn't specific, but it still is a worship song, and you have to let people see it as one. Praising God is still praising God, and each and every person has their most effective way of doing so.

Another argument is the "redundancy" perspective. Take "King Of My Heart" by John Mark McMillan for example. The chorus is a repeat of "You are good, good, oh oh", and many don't care for that type of lyrical choice. But is it not true? He IS good, good, oh oh. Do you not believe that?

A worship song's goal is to praise, thank, and draw nearer to the Lord. Different people have different preferences when it comes to types of music, and it's not up to us to criticize publicly the content of a song meant for God. Privately, don't listen to it if it bothers you. But it still works for others the same way your favorite jam speaks to you.

On that note, here are some of my favorite worship jams, old and new.

1. Great Are You Lord - All Sons & Daughters

2. Everything To Me - Avalon

3. We Dance - Bethel Music

4. Where I Belong - Building 429

5. Untitled Hymn (Come To Jesus) - Chris Rice

6. Broken Vessels (Amazing Grace) - Hillsong Worship

7. Touch The Sky - Hillsong UNITED

8. The Stand - Hillsong UNITED

9. Multiplied - NEEDTOBREATHE

10. O Come To The Altar - Elevation Worship

11. King Of My Heart - John Mark & Sarah McMillan

12. Only King Forever - Elevation Worship

—Let me know your top worship jam!—

-JM

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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Worship Is Worship Is Worship

Why do we need to put some of it in a box?

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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