[Rastus]

I don't like the "Jesus is your pal" message of some of the modern Christian music I've heard, but I can't get past the sound anyway. I suppose there is real Christian rock out there, but I've only encountered stuff that would fit better alongside Michael Bolton. I like a lot of different music, but Michael Bolton ain't it. I'd rather hear good old country gospel that isn't square and doesn't back away from the sin and salvation message central to Christianity. So far, the rock I listen to is secular. It just sounds more "real" and vital.

[T.Smith]

"I'd rather hear good old country gospel that isn't square and doesn't back away from the sin and salvation message central to Christianity"

Amen! Give me some good country gospel any day! Not saying that I don't like the other stuff, but, it's the country/bluegrass stuff that really gets me fired up for Christ.

[Florida native]

Try Audio Adrenaline or The Rock and Roll Worship Circus for starters. Both have the sound with the message.

I've seen Audio A twice in concert, and RRWC once, and I am 47! My teen daughters have their CDs and love the words as much as the music.

[melbell]

Ginny Owens is my all-time favorite artist. Never had a favorite until her. She sings her share of the "Jesus is your pal" songs, but she also balances them out with "real" messages. Not that "Jesus is your pal" isn't a real message, it has it's place. But I agree with you that Jesus being my pal will not get me saved.

Here are the lyrics to "Land of the Grey" by Ginny Owens. I very much like her confrontational attitude towards our society in it.

---

There's a young Mother with three children
Got a stable income and a faithful husband, too.
She’s searching for her life’s meaning,
So she says to her shrink, ”I’m leaving home soon!”
Just decided that she couldn’t take it anymore,
Didn’t look back, she just snuck out the back door-

What is wrong with this picture?
We applaud this behavior
And admire how she breaks away
Oh, it’s so clearly cloudy, in the land of the Grey.

There’s a young senator, a gifted politician,
So consumed by pursuing his career.
Used to care about what the people wanted,
But know he’s learned how to say what they want to hear.
A million lies and scandals bear his name,
But you’ll never see him hide his face in shame-

What is wrong with this picture?
We applaud this behavior
He's a hero if he makes mistakes
Oh, it’s so clearly cloudy, in the land of the Grey.

What’s wrong? What’s right? Absolute confusion.
What’s black? What’s white? Everything looks hazy.
Such scenarios bring me to only one conclusion-
Maybe we’ve all gone crazy.

Three little kids praying mama comes home,
And a little town feels violated and betrayed.
Meanwhile, two very unhappy people
Try to excuse the messes they’ve made.
But you’ll never hear it stated quiet that way,
We can handle it here in the land of the grey.

[tutstar]

http://www.air1.com/

You might give this a listen.