Talkin’ Bout My Generation

It’s not surprising that the most influential time of my life—as it relates to my relationship with God—came via the medium of music. For decades the whole Christian music industry was pretty much a collection of hymns and gospel music….until the wonderful ‘70s came along. In the early part of that decade there was a true Christian revival spawned in great part from the “hippie, peace, love, enlightenment” generation a few years earlier. Bands started forming and speaking out about their relationship with Jesus and their love of God….and, yes, they were doing it with the style of music they were accustomed: good ‘ol rock and roll. Granted, it had a much more “folksy” flavor to begin with, but boy was it music to my ears.

Bands were cropping up right and left and most of them were proliferating right here in Southern California. The fact that I could sing along with these groups and actually relate to what they were saying, all in the style of music that hit my very core…this is the stuff from which my relationship with God actually took hold.

Because so many of these bands were local, I was able to attend many free concerts. As it grew throughout the seventies venues like Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm were hosting entire nights dedicated to these bands and their ministries. I grew up with Love Song, 2nd Chapter of Acts, Keith Green, Daniel Amos, Randy Stonehill and Larry Norman…and I haven’t been the same since. Thank you Lord for this blessing in my life.

Of course now all you have to do is turn on Air1 radio and you’ll hear the love of Christ in Pop, Country, R&B, Hip-Hop, Hard Rock and every other music genre imaginable. Music is truly one of the most effective modes of spreading the gospel and one’s faith…and I, for one, am most grateful.

Thank you, Lord, for the gift of music!

Psalm 33
1 Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous;
it is fitting for the upright to praise him.
2 Praise the Lord with the harp;
make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.
3 Sing to him a new song;
play skillfully, and shout for joy. (NIV)

Greg Morton
© September 12, 2009