Read the book

For your listening pleasure (hopefully), I present some classic Christian music from 1986. Don't Wait for the Movie, which was the title track from White Heart's fourth studio album of the same name. 

Hey man, that's catchy

This musical gem escaped my attention until it was posted on social media by Michael Sweet, lead singer of Christian heavy metal band, Stryper. It is the daggiest earworm I have heard in quiet a while. It was recorded by Sonseed, a Catholic pop band that formed in New York in the late 1970s. 

https://www.newreleasetoday.com/artistdetail.php?artist_id=2835

Keeping it in the family

Among the smattering of readers of this blog will be fans of the Australian born Christian singer, Rebecca St James, and her brothers, Joel and Luke Smallbone, who form the duo, For King and Country. Their family's story is the subject of the recently released feature film, Unsung Hero. Back in 1996, Rebecca St. James released the single, God, from the album of the same name. Its grungy sound is influenced by mainstream artists of the period, minus the bitterness and angst. 

Do what you can

Petra were also known for their songs about social issues. Homeless Few, the closing track on their 1988 album, On Fire, is about homelessness. Jesus's parable of the good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37), and the first epistle of John (1 John 3:17). Christians cannot ignore this issue. 

https://www.eternitynews.com.au/australia/the-homelessness-emergency-we-cant-ignore/

Can't you see it in my eyes

On this week back in 1976, the number 33 hit on 3XY's chart was Sister Golden Hair by America. The band are still active, and periodically tour Australia. It peaked at number 28 on the national ARIA chart.

The above video features the original lineup of Gerry Beckley, Dewey Bunnell, and Dan Peek. Peek later left the band and became a contemporary Christian music artist. He died in 2011.

https://rateyourmusic.com/images/all?type=w&assoc_id=3421221

http://www.venturahighway.com

Doggy breath

Back in the golden days of 1993 Christian rock band PFR released their second album, Goldie's Last Day. The song is about bass player Patrick Andrew's beloved late dog, Goldie. I don't know if the song has a Christian subtext. I speak from personal experience when I say that through the unconditional love and loyalty they offer, dogs can often be a source of comfort to their owners in times of suffering and sadness. I often wonder if they can be an instrument of God's grace.

If a dog sees that its owner is sad, it might offer consolation in the form of a paw on his or her lap, or gently nudge you to put your arm around it. In times of crisis, some human beings aren't much help at all. They either ignore you, offer empty platitudes, or offer unwanted advice. Just like Job's friends, they amount to "miserable comforters." (Job 16:2). Unlike some humans, dogs never let you down.

http://www.allmusic.com/artist/pfr-mn0000741974/biography