Today, I'm gonna combine my observations of pop culture, and associate the topic with a song. Not just any song, but a Christian music genre themed song. Think it can't be done? Well, I'm out to prove you wrong. More than just prove you wrong, I also hope to stir some thinking in your perspectives of faith and pop culture and how these two are more connected than you think. There is no topic off limits, but for the sake of a shorter blog, I'm limiting what I put here...for now.
Topic one, the big one that currently has caused christians to prove how ignorant they are. The red Starbucks cup. Initially, not knowing the "controversy," I immediately started singing the hit Toby Keith song. Then I learned what the commotion was about. I shook my head. Disbelief at how absurd this "Pastor" was in his outrage over a cup. A CUP!!! I've read many a blog, many posts and even participated in discussions about this stupid cup. Then it hit me. The color red. It's associated with Taylor Swift album and song names, gangs and blood. BLOOD! YES!!! Blood runs red. It flows out of our bodies when cut. More importantly, Petra gave us a song in 1981 that shared what the color red symbolizes. Yes, The Coloring Song is really what red should be about, instead of a stupid cup from an establishment selling over priced and over acidic coffee.
Current event number two takes me to a very sore subject for many. Race aside, everybody has an opinion, a story or even an example. Me, sure I have an opinion, but the significance of the opinion is limited due to my life experiences. But, I do know that at some point in time the race relations in this country have to improve and hopefully will improve. I'm not the only one that has this hope and belief. KB shares this hope in his song I Believe. A great song, great message and one that gives me hope.
October 21st, 2015 has come and gone. All the fun associated with this date brought back many memories, skits on late night TV and a city hoping that fiction became reality as it watched its lovable Cubs take one the Mets of New York for the right to play in the World Series. The Cubs failed. But, those cool shoes are in the prototype stage at Nike headquarters. Hover boards do exist, but not perfected. Flying cars are close, but Volkswagen still has a long way to go. But, as I watch the video for American Noise from Skillet, I can't help but see a lot of the 80's in the video. I also can't help but think that maybe, just maybe Marty McFly had to interpret all the noise he was seeing in 2015.
Somehow, Bon Jovi has lasted the test of time in the music industry. Just today I see a Facebook post from August about him severing his relationship with his record label. No, that isn't relevant, but just the name Bon Jovi is. Ask my teenagers and they know Livin' On A Prayer. Go to any wedding and you are certain to hear this song. Yes, even the Christian band Spoken and now their lead singer Matt covers the song. I'll give you that the song talks of love and a relationship, but I believe we should always live in prayer, not just on prayer. Manafest talks about this belief in one of his newer songs, aptly named Pray.
There you have it. Four current events/pop culture references that I can associate with Christian music. I did have to stretch a little with one, but the significance is not lost. Yes, some of this is to simply poke fun, but even in poking fun, there is an underlying seriousness to our society. Where are we placing significance in relationships, entertainment and dreams of the future? What are we doing to heal differences? What is causing our umbrage with everything?
Want more fun? Give me another current event or pop culture reference and I'll do my best to connect it to Christian music. Yes, it can and will be done.
