Down here in my neck of the woods, July means plenty of cookouts with family and friends. It means cold lemonade, fresh strawberries, cucumber salad, grilled mushrooms, burgers, Orange Icebox Pie and, of course, plenty of music.
My habit is to put together a playlist for each cookout so that we have different music on hand each time. The playlist for this weekend is all about various styles of worship - different styles but all with plenty of meat and meaning.
1. "The Kindness Of Our God" - Rebecca St. James
Beach Street/Reunion
My favorite track on I Will Praise You is the Celtic sounding "The Kindness of Our God." The bagpipes are not something you would expect but Rebecca makes it work as only she can.
- Compare Prices on I Will Praise You
- More about Rebecca St. James
2. "You Are More" - Tenth Avenue North
Reunion Records
I love this song because it hits home every time I listen to it. We are more than our circumstances, our choices and our flaws. We are loved and Tenth Avenue North gently reminds us of that with this amazing song.
- Compare Prices on The Light Meets The Dark
- More about Tenth Avenue North
3. "Give It All Away" - Sidewalk Prophets
Word Records
From their debut national release, These Simple Truths, Sidewalk Prophets remind us that living in our comfort zone isn't necessarily living out of faith with "Give It All Away."
- Compare prices on These Simple Truths
4. "Start Over" - The Afters
INO Records
Coldplay fans at your cookout will love "Start Over" because of the sound. Add that to lyrics that remind us that we get to start over when we fall because our God is a god of second, third, ten million chances and you have a winner all the way around.
- More about The Afters
5. "One Less" - Matthew West
Sparrow Records
This beautiful song is based on the true story of a couple adopting a little girl, making "one less broken heart in the world." It is as touching as it is solid.
- Compare Prices on The Story of Your Life
- More about Matthew West
6. "I Refuse" - Josh Wilson
Sparrow Records
Josh reminds us, in this upbeat tune, to share our faith with others. Refuse to keep Jesus to yourself!
7. "Consume Me Now" - Worth Dying For
AMMUNITION
From their December EP, Love Riot, this remix adds a synthesized sound that gives it a hint of "haunting."
8. "Through Your Eyes" - Worth Dying For
Ammunition Records
When you add Thousand Foot Krutch's Trevor McNevan into any rock mix, you have a winner and "Through Your Eyes" proves that yet again.
- Compare Prices on Love Riot
9. "Song For The Broken" - Abandon
Forefront Records
Fans of the mainstream The Killers will find a lot to like about Abandon's music. Not sure who The Killers are? No problem! Just listen to the Texas rockers Abandon, and be thankful that their lyrics are much better than what The Killers deliver!
10. "Born Again" - Newsboys
Inpop
Stand up for who you are and what you believe ... being born again isn't something to keep quietly to yourself and Newsboys shares that in a big way!
- Compare Prices on Born Again: Miracles Edition
- More about Newsboys
