Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Country Music Theology



Two years ago I preached a message series called, "Country Music Theology". It was well-received and I have preached a couple of recent messages under the same heading. I have been encouraged to take my sermons and get them published as a book. I covet your prayers for this endeavor. It will be a lot of work, editing, re-writing, the publishing process, not to mention the financial cost to get a book published. I must confess I am not the biggest country music fan, but one can't grow up in the south and not be at least familiar and even slightly conditioned to appreciate it. There are some country songs with great theology. I have taken just a few of those songs and preached a message based on the song and of course scripture. I will keep everyone posted on the "book" process. Thanks for your support.

2 comments:

Angela said...

I'm so proud of you baby! I've been telling you to write a book for years. All in God's timing...

Roger said...

I am a pastor and I use recordings of country music in my ministry. I have compiled a list of songs which I find helpful in various aspects of my pastoral work. These songs are also important to me personally as I get older and my physical health declines.

You may wonder why I have included Orla Fallon, a singer and harpist from Ireland and a former member of Celtic Woman, among country artists. Orla is like Kathy Mattea in reverse. Kathy went to Scotland, immersed herself in her Celtic heritage, then recorded ROSES. Orla came to Nashville, immersed herself in the heritage shared by Celtic and American country and bluegrass music, then recorded DISTANT SHORE.

Here's my list:

TO GIVE COURAGE WHEN THINGS ARE TOUGH

Carrie Underwood: "Play On" and "Change"

Little Big Town: "Lean Into It"

Orla Fallon: "Hard Times" (a Stephen Foster classic)

Kathy Mattea: "I'm Alright"


TO HELP PEOPLE DEAL WITH CHILDHOOD MEMORIES

Miranda Lambert: "The House That Built Me"


TO PREPARE COUPLES FOR MARRIAGE:

Miranda Lambert: "Love Song"

Carrie Underwood: "Mama's Song"

Little Big Town: "Little White Church"


TO HELP PARENTS THINK WELL OF THEIR CHILFREN

Kathy Mattea: "They Are the Roses"


TO HELP PEOPLE TRUST JESUS

Kathy Mattea: "'Till I Turn To You"

Miranda Lambert: "Heart Like Mine"


FOR THE DYING AND THEIR LOVED ONES

Carrie Underwood: "Temporary Home"

Alison Krauss or Orla Fallon: "Simple Love"

Rhonda Vincent: "I Will See You Again"

Alison Krauss and Robert Plant: "Your Long Journey"

Orla Fallon: "My Waking World"

Kathy Mattea: "The Slender Threads That Bind Us Here"

Have a great day.

Roger Newton
Philadelphia, PA