Hear What You Want to Hear

Stuff Christians Like has a great post today about John Mayer, and it inspired me to write about something I've been discussing with Mr. Cool: my awesome Christian radio station.

See, on my radio station I'd play great secular music--Bruce Cockburn, Sam Phillips, U2 (of course), Alison Krauss & Union Station, Coldplay--and more of my Christian favorites, Sara Groves and Rich Mullins. To be honest, I don't listen to Christian radio--there isn't even one on my van's presets. I do listen to a lot of 97.3 KBCO, and I heard a set yesterday that clarified my opinions about "secular" music. When your heart and mind belong to the Lord, your mindset is geared toward that, so that any music with a message can reach you. More than a praise song, an inspired line from a song not meant for Christians can reach me with that intense longing that every human experiences in life. We are more alike than we think, and we all long for that deeper connection. Mr. Cool always jokes about changing "baby" to "Jesus," thus making love songs into love songs for the Savior, and I think on some level that can be done.

Anyway, here's a spiritual set partially from KBCO, and added to by me. I've included the artist, the song title, and a line that spoke to me.

1. Bruce Cockburn (Wondering Where the Lions Are)--I had another dream about lions at the door/ they weren't half as frightening as they were before,/ But I'm thinking 'bout eternity/ Some kind of ecstasy got a hold on me.

2. Coldplay (Viva la Vida)--One minute I held the key/ Next the walls were closed on me,/ And I discovered that my castles stand/ Upon pillars of salt, and pillars of sand.

3. Sam Phillips (Sister Rosetta Goes Before Us)--Strange things are happening every day,/ I hear the music above my head/ Though the side of my heart has left me again/ I hear music up above.

4. U2 (I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For)--You broke the bonds/ And you loosened the chains / Carried the cross / of my shame / all my shame/ You know I believe it

5. Paul Simon (Under African Skies)--This is the story of how we begin to remember/ This is the powerful pulsing of love in the vein / After the dream of falling and calling your name out / These are the roots of rhythm/ And the roots of rhythm remain.

6. John Hiatt (Have a Little Faith in Me)--Well, I've been loving you for such a long time girl/ Expecting nothing in return/ Just for you to have a little faith in me/ You see, time is our friend/ 'Cause for us there is no end/ And all you gotta do is have a little faith in me.

7. Pete Townshend (Let My Love Open the Door)--Let my love open the door/ It's all I'm living for/ Release yourself from misery/ There's only one thing gonna set you free/ That's my love, that's my love.

So, that's one of my sets for my station. I think I would also have a special hour for country songs, as there are plenty of those. Any other tunes I should play?