resources for effective youth ministry
Teen
Stuff
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Pray - CD
Artist - Rebecca St. James Record Company - ForeFront Records |
Over the past few years Rebecca St. James has put out four amazing records. Each one is extremely well done and communicate in powerful ways a solid message that what really matters is developing a personal walk with Christ in our day-in-day-out lives. Rebecca's newest release, "Pray" is an excellent CD with solid messages!
favorite features:
- 12 songs with much needed messages to challenge and encourage the listener
- music is both enthusiastic and calm - nice blend
- verse and encouraging note with each song
- excerpt from her book, "40 More Days with God" is excellent
The lyrics to these songs - almost
all of which were written by Rebecca - are amazing! It is so clear
to see that they come from a heart in genuine fellowship with God!
It is so hard to pick a favorite song as they all speak to the listener
in different ways, but I especially like "Love to Love You" - Rebecca puts
to words the prayer we all have in our hearts! Rebecca shows teens
- and all of us - that a truly joyful life comes from a real relationship
with a real God!
I have a teen daughter who loves to listen to Rebecca so as a parent I deeply appreciate the message Rebecca sends to stay pure and grow closer to God - it is the same message my husband and I send our daughter on a daily basis. I highly recommend this CD as it will challenge and encourage the listener - of any age. Extremely well done Rebecca and ForeFront Records!
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Thirst - CD
Artist - Randy Stonehill Record Company - Brentwood Records |
Randy Stonehill is a person who has had a major impact on contemporary Christian music - he was there at the beginning of ccm and he is still producing amazing music today as well! "Thirst" is Randy's most recent CD and it shows a true depth of style and quality insuring it will be enjoyed by those of us who remember Randy from his early days as well as by teens from today!
favorite features:
- variety of music styles on one CD - songs purely for fun, calm songs with important serious messages as well as songs with enthusiasm that also communicate strong powerful messages
- most of the lyrics challenge and/or encourage the listener in a powerful way
- Randy wrote all of these songs and his heart for others and transparency with his own life communicate powerfully
- unique and interesting music - especially for "Hand of God"
I really like that there is such
variety in music on this CD! Far too many of our musicians/singers
today have CD's with songs that have different words but basically the
same music. Randy's music is both challenging and a joy to listen
to! I believe that Christian music should be "enthusiastic" and show
some "spunk" at times and Randy's music does that and while I believe that
music is a powerful medium to communicate important truths - which Randy's
songs clearly do - I also believe that we need to give ourselves
the freedom to enjoy songs that are purely for fun!
I truly enjoyed all of these songs - and found myself challenged by them as well - but I especially like "Father of Lights". I highly recommend "Thirst" for teens, families and youth groups as these songs give you much to reflect on, talk about and enjoy! It is clear from these songs that Randy wants to share his walk with others - the challenges and joys! Extremely well done Randy and Brentwood!
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tabula rasa (clean slate) -
CD
Artist - Al Denson Record Company - Benson |
Al is another artist who has been around for a while - each of his projects have been filled with songs that both challenge and encourage the listener. His newest release, "tabula rasa" is amazing - filled with songs that will truly touch all who listen to them.
favorite features:
- 10 songs with an excellent variety of music - both "enthusiastic" and calm
- Al wrote most of the songs and the lyrics of each song powerfully communicate a message of acceptance, forgiveness, restoration and that we can trust Jesus with our lives - a message all of us need to hear and be reminded of
- personal note from Al at the beginning of each song in the lyric folder help the listener to get a sense of the heart behind the message in the song
Too often artist sing songs that
are almost "cliché", but it is clear that Al's heart went into each
of these songs and that he truly believes life can be lived totally trusting
in Jesus to stay with us, lead us and see us through! I sincerely
enjoyed all the songs on this CD, but found "Nothin's Gonna Hold Me Back"
especially challenging.
Al has a genuine heart for communicating
an important message through music - one that teens, and adults will
find themselves relating to and challenged by. I highly recommend
this CD for youth groups and families to listen to and talk about together.
Extremely well done Al and Benson!
About The Youth Department - Volume 1, Edition 3
Copyright © Lynda Freeman
Last Updated Dec. 19, 1998
Web Page by Lynda Freeman
Send an e-mail to Lynda at lynda.freeman@usa.net