Tag Archives: Christian music

The Crossover Connection Week 10: Classic Rock of the 1980’s

Posted on April 8, 2023 by expressyourself4him

Following my freshman year of college, I wasn’t satisfied with the Christian music that was playing on local Christian radio stations. The only thing I could find that was decent aired on Saturday nights from 8-11pm. When my parents moved to Ohio, I was directed to a warehouse on the east side of Cleveland. This is where I finally found what I was looking for: a Christian band with that classic sound of rock and roll.

O come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the Rock of our salvation! 2 Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to Him with songs of praise! – Psalm 95:1-2

Due to the lack of money and support for Christian rock music, bands like Legend Seven never got the air time that their music deserved. Perhaps, listening to the attached full album will remind you of groups like Bon Jovi, Cinderella, and Def Leppard. Nonetheless, songs like After the Fall, Carry Me and Don’t Believe It still speak to me. May this weeks featured group speak to your heart and soul as you listen to Legend Seven’s debut album.

by Jay Mankus

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The Crossover Connection Week 2: A Spiritual Salt n Pepa

Posted on February 11, 2023 by expressyourself4him

At the time I started attending dances in high school, Salt n Pepa’s song Push It was first released. As the intro to this song started playing, everyone flooded the dance floor, even those just there for the slow dances. I searched Christian music for 30 years trying to find a sound similar to Salt n Pepa’s genre. While you’ll never find an identical match as you crossover from secular music to Christian, I believe Group 1 Crew is the spiritual Salt n Pepa to fill this void.

Speak out to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, offering praise with voices [[e]and instruments] and making melody with all your heart to the Lord, 20 At all times and for everything giving thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father, Ephesians 5:19-20.

Although the attached best of tracks doesn’t include songs like Breakdown and Let it Roll, the variety of ballads, hip hop and rap will keep your fingers snapping to the beat. When I taught high school Bible at Red Lion Christian Academy, a couple of students pointed me in the right direction to modernize my music collection. Their insight led me to Group 1 Crew who has become one of my go to’s when I need a spiritual pick me up. I pray that the lyrics of Group 1 Crew’s songs will uplift your heart and soul this week.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 289: My Prayer for You

Posted on November 17, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Since I started listening to Christian music in 1985, I have been touched by numerous songs on prayer. My spiritual mentor Coach Ken Horne played Pray for Me at the end of the first retreat I ever attended. Throughout high school and college, artists like Rick Elias moved me with Pray for the Day. About the same time, Bret Williams and In Reach released Prayer which is one of the best confessions any Christian musician has ever sang about.

Confess to one another therefore your faults (your slips, your false steps, your offenses, your sins) and pray [also] for one another, that you may be healed and restored [to a spiritual tone of mind and heart]. The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working], James 5:16.

While scanning You Tube last weekend, Alisa Turner is the latest artist to release one of the latest songs on prayer. This is My Prayer for You sounds like something a leader or spiritual mentor would say to a new Christian. Then again, there are plenty of people currently battling health, financial and other troubling concerns. As you listen to Alisa’s song, may your heart be uplifted by the lyrics.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 59: Overcomer

Posted on March 31, 2022 by expressyourself4him

About five years ago, I discovered a couple of Christian music mixes on You Tube. One collection was Electronic Praise, another Hip Hop, and the final one was Dance. This search on the internet for quality Christian music introduced me to today’s artist. Mandisa followed a song by Capital Kings. As soon as Overcomer started to play, I made an instant connection with the lyrics.

 I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you,] John 16:33.

No one likes to endure disappointment and failure. As a former professional athlete, practice doesn’t always result in improvement. If progress is stunted or you start to regress, you need an overcomer spirit that Mandisa sings about in her song. If you ever find yourself down and out, doubting that you will ever achieve your dreams and goals in life, use Mandisa’ Overcomer to ignite and spark hope.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 58: Changed Forever

Posted on March 30, 2022 by expressyourself4him

For a decade, I drove my children to school every day. When my older son James entered Junior High, I began to try to find Christian music to play on our ride to Red Lion. One of my high school Bible students led me toward Toby Mac. While I was never a fanatical fan of DC Talk, their former lead singer, Toby Mac’s Tonight album came at a perfect time. James connected with several of the songs on this album.

Be strong (confident) and of good courage, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only you be strong and very courageous, that you may do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you. Turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go, Joshua 1:6-7.

Today’s featured song Changed Forever was one of those tunes that was repeated at least once each day. When I drove my golf team to away matches, Toby Mac stayed in my CD player without any objections. The lyrics of Changed Forever reminds me of the words of Joshua as he was preparing Israel to enter into God’s Promised Land. When you make the decision to follow Jesus, the Bible is a valuable resource to make sure you continue to be changed forever.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 31: Go There With You

Posted on March 6, 2022 by expressyourself4him

From my introduction to Christian music in 1985, there have always been 3 main staples who have gotten most of the accolades: Michael W. Smith, Amy Grant, and today’s artist Stephen Curtis Chapman. When Chapman’s Great Adventure tour traveled across the country, I drove three hours to hear an album filled with classic songs. I was so touched that night by Go There with You, that I included it in my wedding.

God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and death shall be no more, neither shall there be anguish (sorrow and mourning) nor grief nor pain any more, for the old conditions and the former order of things have passed away, Revelation 21:4.

When I was put in charge of the Music at my wedding and the DJ at our reception, I made a mix with all of the songs to be played for all of the special dances. When Leanne and I danced our first dance as a married couple, Go There With You was played. In an age where staying married until death do us part is rare, playing this song was a statement of my will to love Leanne for the rest of my life.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 28: Mirror

Posted on March 3, 2022 by expressyourself4him

When I first started teaching at Red Lion two decades ago, some of my former students tried to update my Christian music collection. Since most of these teenagers weren’t impressed with my favorite artists, a couple made a few mixes for me to listen to before I purchased any new albums. One of the songs on this CD was from Barlow Girl, all-female rock band from Elgin, Illinois.

Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; sing praises with the harp or the lyre to our God!—Psalm 147:7

Today’s song by Barlow Girl uses a scene from the fairy tale Snow White to illustrate how girls struggle with their own self-esteem and self-image. Instead of singing about the evil queen was asks “Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all,” Barlow Girl looks to Jesus to find their true identity, 2 Corinthians 5:21. Although Mirror is nearly 20 years old, it still stirs my soul. Pass this song on to any girl or woman who needs to be encouraged today.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 20: Over Drive

Posted on February 23, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Since I first started to listen to Christian music in 1984, I’ve come across several Christian rock groups. Like any phase in life, your current favorite is the best until another sound causes you to change your allegiance. As for me, Idle Cure from Long Beach California struck a cord with my soul in the 1980’s. This special connection influenced me to purchase all of their albums.

I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have any being. 34 May my meditation be sweet to Him; as for me, I will rejoice in the Lord, Psalm 104:33-34.

Today’s song accompanied me on many of my college road trips. Whether I was driving to a retreat or visiting a friend at another campus, Over Drive was one of my go to songs to pass the time. Since I’ve spent most of my life living on the East Coast, I’ve lived most of my life in overdrive, rarely stopping. Yet, like the song suggests, being a Christian inspires me to reach higher, by drawing closer to Jesus.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 5: Secret Ambition

Posted on February 8, 2022 by expressyourself4him

I didn’t even know that Christian music existed until I asked Jesus to come into my heart, Romans 10:9-10, in the middle of my sophomore year of high school. I met Mindy at a FCA Bible Study. She was the only person I knew in high school who was an advocate for Christian music. Mindy made different mixes for me so I could figure out which artists I liked before purchasing an album. Mindy’s parents drove me and a couple of friends from Concord to my first ever Christian concert.

Speak out to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, offering praise with voices [[e]and instruments] and making melody with all your heart to the Lord, 20 At all times and for everything giving thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father, Ephesians 5:19-20.

If you haven’t already guessed by today’s song title Secret Ambition, Michael W. Smith gave me a good first impression of Christian music. While I barely recognized any of the songs that were sung that night, I went on to buy every one of Michael’s new albums over the next 5 years. The week i2(Eye) Album was released, I attended a youth convention in Salisbury, Maryland. This was the most fun I ever had on a retreat as a seed was sown to become a youth pastor. Thanks to Secret Ambition, this became a reality.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Volume 2: You Need to Know

Posted on February 5, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Every song has a story of when you first heard it, what you were doing at the time and how this song impacted your life. The second new song I want to introduce you to is one I discovered in Cleveland, Ohio. When my father was transferred during my sophomore year of college, I needed to find a new place that sold Christian music. A friend from church gave me directions and when I arrived, it was the largest Christian Bookstore that I have ever encountered.

The Lord is my strength and my [impenetrable] shield; My heart trusts [with unwavering confidence] in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, And with my song I shall thank Him and praise Him, Psalm 28:7.

The selection of music took up an entire section of a large warehouse as I entered Christian Music Heaven. You were able to select from a section of sample cassettes before purchasing a brand new one. I spent countless hours listening to music with headphones on. This is where my vast collection of genres began. Visiting this store gave me the idea of creating a cross over list of Christian artists who are similar to secular music stars. Today’s song is by Bob Hanson: a Bob Dylan sound mixed with a feel of the Doors. You Need to Know serves as a remainder to tell others what their relationship means to you.

by Jay Mankus

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