5 Lessons 90s Christian Music Taught Us

Music is something that can define a decade.  Who could forget 70s disco or the 80s hair bands?!  Even if you weren’t born during that time, most still can identify the music of that day. 

But what about the 90s?! 

Written by Allyson Sarring

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Besides Beanie Babies, hair scrunchies, and the ever so popular, yet totally creepy, Furby, 90s music is one of my favorite things from that decade.   Wait, it’s gets even better…. 90s CHRISTIAN music was one of my favorite things from that decade.  There was nothing quite like popping a cd into a discman player (remember those?!)  and jamming out to your favorite Christian tunes. 

Until this day, I still listen to those artists and songs that made it big back then.  And, yes, sometimes I even watch the music videos #thesearemycoffessions.

Today, Christian music has come a long way.  It might have a different sound, but the music still preaches the same message of the gospel of Jesus Christ just as those songs in the 90s did. 

The 90s taught me a lot of different things.  That Silly Putty wasn’t actually silly.  Not all light-up sneakers were cool.  Furbies will come alive even after you have taken the batteries out.  Very valuable lessons, I tell you. 

What did 90s Christian music teach us you ask?  Well…

One

What will people think when they hear that I’m a Jesus Freak?  What will people do when they find out it’s true?  I don’t care if they label me a Jesus Freak .  There ain’t no disguising the truth.”

 Jesus Freak by DC Talk

The famous band featuring Toby McKeehan (now known as TobyMac), Michael Tait, and Kevin Max Smith pretty much created the #TeamJesus anthem of the decade.

Lesson Learned:  Being called a Jesus Freak was more of a complement than an insult and was something that people should embrace and not be ashamed about.  People might think you’re strange for loving Jesus with all your heart, but that’s okay!  Love them anyways.  Maybe one day, they’ll be a Jesus Freak.  We can only hope.

Two 

“Shine.  Make them wonder what you’ve got.  Make them wish that they were not on the outside looking bored.  Shine.  Let it shine before all men.  Let them see good works and then let them glorify the Lord.”

Shine by Newsboys

Who could forget about the Newsboys?  They are one of those timeless bands that continue to produce fun and powerful music to this day. 

Lesson Learned:  Don’t hide your light for Jesus.  As Christians, we have something awesome, and it is meant to be shared with people!  Not hidden away, just for us.  Loving out loud will inspire those and make them wonder what you have that brings you so much joy and peace.   It will create a turnaround in people and even “make a bouncer take ballet.”    

Three 

"Come and go with me to my Father’s house.  It’s a big, big house with lots and lots of room.  A big, big table with lots and lots of food.  A big, big yard where we can play football.  A big, big house.  It’s my Father’s house.”

Big House by Audio Adrenaline

Audio Adrenaline was probably one of my favorite 90s bands.  #funfact 

Lesson Learned:  No matter where you came from, God’s house is for everyone.  He has room for all people!  We can dream about what heaven will really be like, but we won’t completely know until we get there.  All we really need to know is that our needs are going to be met.  Hey, if there was a table with lots of food and a yard where I could play football, I wouldn’t complain either!

Four

“I’m diving in, I’m going deep, in over my head I want to be.  Caught in the rush, tossed in the flow, in over my head I want to go.  The river’s deep, the river’s wide, the river’s water is alive.  So sink or swim, I’m diving in.”

Dive by Steven Curtis Chapman

This song is so catchy! Every time it came on my local Christian radio station, I could not keep still! 

Lesson Learned:  To experience all of Jesus, you are going to have to swim further out than ankle deep.  He wants us to go all in!  He just doesn’t want a small part of us, He wants all of our hearts, souls, and minds.  It might be scarier out in that deep water, but it’s worth it.

Five

"Show me, I’m looking for a reason roaming through the night to find my place in this world.  Not a lot to lean on.  I need your light to help me find my place in this world.”

 Place in the World by Michael W. Smith

Michael W. Smith is another one of those artists that have remained timeless throughout the years.  I would love to see him in concert! #hinthint   

Lesson Learned:  We can search high and low in this world to find something to complete us, to find something that can help define us, but the only way that we are going to find our place in this world, our identity, is through Christ, and Christ alone! 

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Even though most of my 90s memories are packed up in a box somewhere, these songs will always stay near to my heart and my cd player.

My First Two Years in College

For the past two years of my college career, Chi Alpha at American University has definitely impacted my life. I have become bolder in my faith, self-confident and most importantly I have learned what community truly means. When I first came to American University (AU) I was planning on having the best four years of my life. I couldn’t wait to get my classes started, be involved in campus activities, including a Christian community, explore the DC nightlife, and most of all make the best of friends. Although these goals were all on my planner, my first semester didn’t go as I had planned. 

Written by Lucero Flores

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My classes were going all right, I didn’t find myself being involved or going out at night and I wasn’t making a lot of friends even at Chi Alpha.  I became a very timid person and I was caught between the cliché party life at college and my community in Chi Alpha. I found myself intentionally asking God to help me through this process. To get through this challenge of growing weaker in my faith, losing my self-confidence and opening up to what he had planned for the rest of college career and life.

Second semester of freshman year became a new beginning for me and God had a plan. I began by attending small group every Monday night, going to team meetings for my first mission trip with Chi Alpha after small group, which were a blast and more importantly investing my time in community. Our Chi Alpha at AU isn’t the biggest one in the country (or even our region) but it's unique. In the beginning I didn’t find friends that I initially clicked with, but I realized that God was helping me through this process by having me invest more time in His community; people He knew were going to bring joy to my life. And He did bring those people.

It was unexpected but He kept His promises and provided me with the best of friends my sophomore year. And it all began with prayer and attending my small group. I am incredibly blessed and God knew exactly what he was doing. He provided me with friends that brought joy to my life but most importantly led me to Him. 

I was always struggling freshman year on where I needed to be but He made me realize that I am exactly where I need to be, here, in Chi Alpha, where He knew and I know now that I am most happy. Through this process, I learned to recognize that God was so incredibly intentional in my life and always will be. 

8 Reading Plans to Jumpstart Your Devotional Time

We’ve all said this before: I’m going to read the Bible cover to cover, starting with Genesis, every day, starting…now!  You sit down with your bible, a cup of coffee the size of your head, pens, pencils, highlighters, notebooks, all ready to go.  A month later, you haven’t made it past Genesis…chapter 2.

Written by Allyson Sarring

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I've tried reading the Bible cover to cover many times, but have failed.  I would forget a day, be lazy, or just was having a difficult time understanding the scriptures.  It’s pretty easy to get frustrated and discouraged.  I used to think Bible reading plans were for the weak or made things more complicated, but now I am so thankful for them!

With all the technology these days, we can get anything with snap (or should I say swipe) of a finger!  We can read the Bible on our computers, tablets, phones, etc.  If you’re tech savvy, you probably have the YouVersion Bible app downloaded on some device.  It’s fantastic and super easy to use!  The Bible app is great, but the key to its success is that you actually have to use it!  It’s nice to have it downloaded, but if you are just reading the Verse of the Day and nothing else, you are missing out on this awesome resource that is full of…..Bible. Reading. Plans.  Yes, I said it!  This app has hundreds of plans to keep you fed and focused on God.  Especially with the nice daily reminders it sends you. 

I've done some research and found tons of reading plans that you should consider doing.  I actually will be working though some of them myself!

Click on each plan to begin your reading plan on your computer! Download the app on your smartphone or tablet to take each plan on the go!  

1.       Ownit365

This plan takes you through the entire Bible in a year, with two readings per day, six days a week.  OWN is an acronym that outlines the reading plan.  Every day you will have a reading from the Old Testament, in conjunction with one from the Wisdom Books or New Testament.  This plan focuses on balance, letting you work though the Bible, while at the same time including daily, easier to understand passages that you can apply to your life.  In addition to YouVersion, downloading the OWNit365 app will give you access to their videos, reading plan guides, discussion questions, etc.

This plan was provided by OWNit365.com.

2.       Discipleship Journal 5x5x5 Reading Plan

Not ready to tackle the whole Bible in a year?  No problem.  This plan allows you to just work through the New Testament: 5 minutes a day, 5 days a week.  Giving you 5 ways to dig deeper.  You will read through one chapter each day.

This plan was provided by NavPress.

3.       Before the Cross: The Life of Jesus

If you are looking for an efficient way to get through the Gospels and gain a complete understanding of the life of Jesus, this plan is it!  This is an 80 day reading plan that walks you through the four gospels in order, outlining his life from His birth to His death and resurrection.

This plan was provided by Before the Cross.

4.       Major People, Major Themes, Major Beliefs, Major Events

These are four separate reading plans that will take you through the major people, themes, beliefs, and events of the Bible in only 65 days.  They are beneficial when used separately or when all four reading plans are done at once.  It’s also a great way to focus on one aspect of the Bible at a time. 

These plans were provided by LCBC Church.

5.       The Overflow Devo

YouVersion has awesome seven day devotionals written by some of Christian music’s biggest artists, such as Lecrae, Newsboys, Tenth Avenue North, for KING & COUNTRY, and Hawk Nelson.  Each week, you can work through a devotional written by each artist that features music from their albums.  Their songs aid understanding each week’s topic.

These plans were provided by The OverFlow.

6.       The Essential 100

This plan helps you get an overview of the Bible without getting overwhelmed.  In 100 days, you will have read 50 Old Testament and 50 New Testament passages.  The goal of this plan is to help you develop a daily habit of getting into the word, while at the same time, giving you an overall view of the Bible.

This plan was provided by Scripture Union.

7.       Project 345

This plan takes a unique approach to reading the entire New Testament in one year.  Five days a week you will read a chapter a day, using the weekends to catch up if need be.  The name Project 345 was inspired by the average time is takes to read one chapter in the New Testament (3 minutes 45 seconds).  If you are looking for this approach plus a little extra, check out Project 345 Plus  which adds a Psalm or Proverb each day, along with passages from the Old Testament. 

This plan was provided by The Ark Church.

8.       Bible in 90 Days

If you are feeling ambitious, this plan will help you get through the Bible in just three months!  Perfect one to do in the summer!  Maybe even this summer?  Every day’s readings average to about 12 pages each day.  This plan takes more commitment, but is very worthwhile. 

This plan was provided by Bible Gateway.

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These are just a few of hundreds of thought out readings plans that YouVersion provides.  Go grab some coffee and a quiet place, and get going!  Happy Reading.

A 500-Year Old Prayer

I never knew how much my faith would grow because of my time at Georgetown. Before I arrived I knew nothing of the Jesuits and their deep spiritual heritage. Growing up in the Assemblies of God I knew very little of liturgy and even less about liturgical prayers. From an early age I learned to pray to God as if it was simply a conversation with a friend. This is still the way I feel most comfortable in prayer. 

Written by Jon Rice

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But while making a year long spiritual retreat with the Jesuits on campus, I learned the value and power of prayers written down long ago. One such prayer was the Anima Christi, originally by St. Ignatius of Loyola. Though he lived almost 500 years ago, his words still ring true today So powerful was the effect of this prayer on me, that I began ending every time of prayer with this declaration. It said something that I longed to say to God, but couldn't find the words. 

Now long after the retreat is ended, I still find myself praying the Anima Christi at times when my words fail. Similar to reciting a familiar worship song, this prayer reminds me of my hearts desire and my continued calling. I pray it blesses you as you join in prayer with me. 

Anima Christi (Contemporary Translation)

Jesus, may all that is you flow into me.

May your body and blood be my food and drink.

May your passion and death be my strength and life.

Jesus, with you by my side, enough has been given.

May the shelter I seek be the shadow your cross.

Let me not run from the love which you offer, But hold me safe from the forces of evil.

On each my dyings shed your light and your love.

Keep calling to me until that day comes, when, with your saints, I may praise you forever. Amen. 

Further Resources via Loyola Press »

We Believe in Building Leaders, Not Just Followers

I often struggle with the idea that I have something to offer others.  Now I’m doing a job in fulltime ministry, where I lead worship and a small group and mentor students.  Funny how things work out that way, huh?

Written by Natalie Hill

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Sometimes I leave a coffee date with a student scratching my head with my mind reeling because I just have absolutely no idea what to say her about what she’s going through.  I easily feel insecure in the knowledge and authority that I have.  And I’m afraid of messing up or letting people down.

This might all be true, but obviously those feelings aren't strong enough to keep me from pursuing a career surrounded by one-on-one mentoring and discipleship.  Because students are important, and I believe campus ministry is strategic.  This internship was full of opportunities and tools that equip me to speak knowledgeably and lovingly into students’ lives.  I'm eagerly looking forward to this upcoming academic year, because even when I don't feel like I'm an expert - I know that God uses us when we position ourselves in the lives of others.