My wife puts mustard on burgers. My oldest son dips tortilla chips in sour cream. And my daughter? She eats a bagel every morning for breakfast.
But me? I stay away from all three. Mustard makes my stomach turn. So does sour cream on chips. And though I don’t mind bagels, I prefer a healthy bowl of oatmeal for breakfast.
We all have different tastes when it comes to food. Yet when it comes to music, especially Christian music, it sometimes feels like there’s only one acceptable style.
I noticed that several years ago when my oldest son was transitioning from childhood into his teen years, shedding bits and pieces from his younger self — toys and cartoons and music — and searching for something that matched his older identity. He didn’t care for the predominant worship style of Christian radio, and as someone who fell in love with CCM in the more eclectic decade of the 1990s, I honestly didn’t, either.
Modern, energetic, upbeat
He and I were looking for something more modern, more energetic, more upbeat — but still grounded in the same truth-filled message as its radio counterpart. Streaming hadn’t quite taken off yet. Unfortunately, during his tween years, we largely struck out.
Since then, I’ve discovered platforms like Spotify and Pandora and their playlists that cater to every musical taste — even those craving a different flavor of Christian music. My younger kids listen to Christian artists like Lecrae, Forrest Frank and everything in between.
Even so, I’ve always wondered: Why hasn’t a major Christian company stepped up to champion the idea of offering modern, faith-focused music to today’s younger generation? Thankfully, that time has finally arrived.
Late last year, Christian radio powerhouse K-Love launched a streaming station, K-Love Pop, that plays songs by artists you don’t typically hear on most CCM stations today — hip-hop legend Lecrae and uber-popular Frank but also Josiah Queen, Sarah Reeves and others. K-Love Pop is played heavily in my home and so far, my youngest children — ages 13 and 8 — love it. It adds a soundtrack of joy and good vibes to our day. It also keeps surprising me with artists and songs I’ve never encountered.
Positive music is needed now more than ever. Have you spanned the Billboard charts lately? Today’s mainstream hits are saturated with sexuality, profanity and other messages that run counter to a biblical worldview. Coarse-filled songs that might have been confined to underground mixtapes two decades ago are now getting regular radio play.
Our kids shouldn’t have to choose between catchy beats and godly messages — they should have access to both.
K-Love Pop is available on the free K-Love app and also online at listen.KLove.com. It’s one of several new K-Love streams worthy of exploring — others are dedicated to Christian music from the ‘70s, ‘80s, ‘90s, 2000s and 2020s. There’s even a K-Love “Future Hits” channel.
Other options
Here are four other solid family-friendly options for this month:
Unbreakable Boy (Home Video) — A father learns to see the world through a new lens after his son is diagnosed with autism and a rare brittle-bone disease. This faith-based film is based on a true story, although its focus on alcohol addiction might make it best for older children. Rated PG for strong thematic material, alcohol abuse, language and some violence. Search Clearplay and VidAngel for filters. Releases on digital home video April 3.
Between Borders (Angel) — An Armenian woman and her family flee persecution in Azerbaijan and seek refuge in the United States in this true story of survival and hope. They also encounter faith. Based on a true story, “Between Borders” contains no coarse language or sexuality and only minimal to moderate violence. Visit Angel.com.
Risen (Great American Pure Flix) — A Roman military tribune assigned to locate Jesus’ missing body after the crucifixion launches an investigation that shakes the foundations of his beliefs. “Risen” is historical fiction, yet it unfolds with a sense of authenticity that makes it feel entirely plausible. Rated PG-13 for biblical violence including some disturbing images.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (Home Video) — The world’s fastest hedgehog teams with friend and foe alike in order to stop a mysterious, powerful hedgehog named Shadow. Rated PG for action, some violence, rude humor, thematic elements and mild language. Clearplay and VidAngel offer filters.
EDITOR’S NOTE — Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and entertainment for 20 years. He is the husband to Julie and the father of four children.
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