I love songs about the family, and this happens to be one of my favorites. If more Christian families were like the one described in this song, we would surely see a drastic change. This world mocks and underestimates the family, and that is because Satan realizes what a powerful tool the family is for the cause of Christ. I’m glad and very privileged to say that this song describes my parents perfectly. I am so thankful for them, the godly influence they have had and the example they have been to me.
This song is not only a blessing to me because of its great message, but because it is played and sung in a godly manner. I hear Christians saying that they just can’t find good music, but let me say that it is out there! Music has a powerful influence to shape the home and each member in it. One way that Satan destroys the home is through music. He underestimates the family, and he underestimates the power of music on the family, knowing what an influential force it is to its unity, which he hates with such vehement passion.
If good Christian music was not a means of strengthening the family, we would see it being sold at every music store around…like we see worldly music and CCM being sold by the millions. You certainly don’t have to hunt too far to find that junk! Just go look on the internet! Look on You Tube! Do you see all kinds of Christian music on there? Nope! That’s cause Satan doesn’t want it readily available…cause he knows it’s going to help you! You can find cheap trash that is called “Christian.” But it’s counterfeit music--an imitation of the real, genuine thing. CCM is an abbreviation for “Contemporary Christian Music.” I prefer to call it “Counterfeit Christian Music.” I don’t listen to that stuff! My ears are not a garbage can for some “Christian” artist to go dumping his emotional, whiny, in-my-personal-space, drum-filled, sensual TRASH.
There is nothing original about CCM! If you haven’t noticed, it all sounds the same. Just like the world’s soft rock, it starts out calm and soothing. It grabs you by your emotions and sucks you in under the guise of “the Holy Spirit’s working.” It tricks you into believing that the emotion of the music is your spirit being drawn to God’s Spirit, when, in fact, it is your human carnality being aroused and responding to the sly, manipulating sensuality of the song. Then, as soon as your emotions are involved and it’s basically impossible to think rationally (God’s Spirit is quenched and the flesh is in control), the drums start up on the chorus.
My sister and I were doing a little musical research the other day. We were listening to a song by a famous Christian singer whose music is all over You Tube. We got through the first verse (very nice and calm…nothing offensive about it, at least, nothing that you could immediately recognize), and as the chorus was approaching, Lydia called it. “Here it comes…here it comes!” Sure enough! The drums started up. We turned it off in disgust. Though I could not put my finger on exactly what it was, I detected an unmistakable something in the first verse, and I knew it was going to be another typical lame, copycat CCM song.
CCM is just an imitation of the world’s music. These artists have adopted the world’s style and simply added “Christian” words. You see and hear the same characteristics: the moaning, the whining, the breathy words that intrude on your personal space, the rocky choruses, the breaths taken at the wrong time and in the wrong place, and the self-glorifying hand motions and body movements of the singers. Every artist just copies another artist. There’s no hint of the Christ-identifying “SEPARATION” in the music. Everything sounds the same. Same music; same spirit. Why? These people aren’t dumb! Good music doesn’t sell, because it doesn’t pacify the flesh. And that is pretty much the sum of Christianity today--fleshly Christians. Thus, these artists make their music to appease people, completely forgetting one important fact--music was made for the glory and praise of GOD. This is the verse that perfectly describes CCM artists today: “For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.” (John 12:43) Christians today don’t have the guts to take a stand. Instead, we are going with the flow, when God intended for us to be strangers and pilgrims on this earth. (Hebrews 11:13) A stranger is unfamiliar with the place in which he dwells (he has not familiarized himself with customs, practices, and pleasures) and he appears strange (noticeably different) to the occupants of the land; a pilgrim is unmistakably passing through on his journey. Like Lot, we have forgotten that we are not of this world, and we have gladly made our homes and derived our pleasures from this wicked Sodom and Gomorrah--this world! “Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul.” (1 Peter 2:11) In 1 Corinthians 6:17 we are commanded, “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.” CCM is not music that bears the stamp of separation! For that reason, it is an unclean thing!
Good words do not make a song good. A song has three crucial parts: the music, the vocal performance, and the words. Unlike what is so commonly taught, it is the words are the most unimportant part of any song. Words only verbalize or make audible what the message of the music is communicating to your brain. And listen to this: music is something your brain has no power to resist! It is a scientifically proven FACT! You don’t have to listen to music to hear it. I’ve heard people say, “Well, I don’t listen to the music; I just listen to the words.” You may like to think you’re not listening to the music, but your brain is recording every note you hear and filing it in your subconscious. That is a scary thing! CCM artists like to think that their “Christian” words justify their worldly music, as if that makes it “OKAY.” I can guarantee you something! God’s stamp of approval is not on that garbage! And Christians have no business listening to it.
I REFUSE to pollute myself with the trash that is labeled “Christian.” I will not touch the unclean thing! My flesh needs no aid in being sensual. I have enough mind battles to deal with without helping my enemy destroy me. Why do you think fornication is so prevalent, even in our churches today? Christians are feeding their carnal nature with music that promotes spiritual fornication. The result is that fornication is being practiced physically. The link between the two is unmistakable!!! We are playing with fire! And we are in great danger of being burned.
Yes, it is hard to find good Christian music. And there’s a purpose for that! So people will settle for less than the best!!! You see, Satan has an agenda. Those who produce good music are interfering with his plans. So he makes sure they are hidden away in some dark and unknown corner while his home-destroying music is being sold in the front window of every music store around.
Treasures are hard to find. They are buried deep in the dirt. Good music is like a treasure. It’s not sitting there on the surface, waiting for anyone to come and take it away. If we want to get that treasure, we’re going to have to dig past the mounds of dirt to get to it. Don’t stop to admire counterfeit jewels in that soil! Don’t be content to listen to the easily-attainable “Counterfeit Christian Music”! Thinking you’ve found something of worth, you will end up a spiritual pauper. The test of your character is whether you have the endurance to dip deep enough to reach…treasures of the very best kind!
Okay…I didn’t intend to ramble on like that… Here’s the song! =)
Treasures of the Very Best Kind
I grew up in a home where Daddy was boss
His word was authority there
He didn’t have to demand it
We obeyed cause we loved to make Daddy happy
And a godly Daddy is a picture of the Father above
He read to his family from God’s Word at night
And he preached with his life everyday
He provided a roof, food and clothes, and much more
We’ll be in Heaven since he showed us the way
Can’t is a word that he never would use
Through prayer he’s accomplished great things
He’s kept his head high no matter the trial
He’s been such an example to me
A just man leaves and in heritance here on this earth
For his children who follow behind
And the values that Daddy placed deep in our hearts
Are treasures of the very best kind
Treasures of the very best kind
Mama never tried to pursue a career
Her family was more important, you see
She always was home when we needed her there
To take care of her children
And a godly mother makes home a place of Heaven on earth
Her words of wisdom echo through my mind
Her encouragement fills my thoughts
She’s always believed in me even when I’ve failed
I’m thankful for the lessons she’s taught
I remember Mama reading her Bible each day
I can still hear her whispered prayer
God gave me a chance to rise up, call her blessed
There’s no doubt in my mind that I’ve had the best
Thank You, dear Lord, they’ve made it so easy
To honor them time after time
The love that they’ve shown and the memories I have
Are treasures of the very best kind
Treasures of the very best kind
By B. Epley
For more music by the Epley family click HERE.
Also, see my sidebar for more CCM--Conservative Christian Music!