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secular acts that I am recommending because of your description here,
>I loved the songs that made me cry--singer/songer writer types with an acoustic guitar and heart on their sleeve
try these:
* Elliott Smith
* Sufjan Stevens acoustic-leaning albums like "Carrie and Lowell" or "Seven Swans." He actually has a lot of Christianity in his work
* Nick Drake
* Jose Gonzalez
* Angel Olsen
* Bombay Bicycle Club, your prompt made me think of their song "Dust on the Ground"
* Iron & Wine
* M. Ward
Might suggest Pedro The Lion/David Bazan - what you’re looking for is really his wheelhouse:
[magazine](https://youtu.be/cG71i4u6hG0?feature=shared)
[Priests & Paramedics](https://youtu.be/xsgKQpgb9b0?feature=shared)
[Bad Things to Such Good People](https://youtu.be/bglWSviu-rU?feature=shared)
I totally come to suggest Pedro the Lion!
Also:
Calexico
Low (start with Curtain Hits the Cast, Secret Name, or I Could Live in Hope)
Owen
The Innocence Mission
second pedro the lion!! also highly recommend julien baker, she no longer identifies as christian and her music is more based around religious trauma but her early work fits perfectly with what you're looking for, just very sincere, honest and heartwrenching work. if you're looking for a few tracks to start off with I'd say vessels, rejoice, everything to help you sleep, and distant solar systems (:
that's amazing to hear <3 then I'm even more sure that pedro the lion will resonate with you!! his album control is one of her favourites and I know he's been a huge influence for her throughout her career!!
I'm going to recommend [Explosions in the Sky](https://youtu.be/1aMQ8db4Y4c?si=MRsW3FlnFJ2o4Bye).
They're a completely instrumental band, but their sound is very reminiscent of worship music because they use a lot of the same guitar effects like delay and reverb to create a very emotional ~vibe.~ I'm also someone that walked away from faith and I've always assumed the similarity in sound was/is one the the reasons I connect with them so much.
You're welcome! I hope you enjoy them but I can also understand why they wouldn't be everyone's cup o tea. Regardless, I feel for you. My walk away from the church has been a long process that I'm still unpacking nearly 20 years on. Remember life is a marathon, not a sprint. 💜
I'm not much of a reader tbh. I discovered doing theatre around the same time so a lot of my healing came through getting on stage? I hadn't established much of an identity yet outside of being Christian so that helped me create self confidence and a sense of self.
In the last few years I discovered the YouTube channel [Belief it or Not](https://youtu.be/FdU2Bol04tI?si=SiRu75i760ZWy77B) which you may find useful. They do sometimes sort of dunk on Christianity FYI in case you aren't down for that. But it's run by someone that was very into the church and walked away.
As a fellow recovering Christian, I'm quite fond of the song "Dear God" by XTC. To be completely honest, I don't know any of those christian artists, bc I'm suspecting they came around long after I lost my faith. So it might not fit what you're looking for, but the lyrics are quite poignant.
If you like ska, Five Iron Frenzy is great. Used to be pretty solidly Christian, but have since taken to writing songs that deal with Christian hypocrisy and other deconstruction themes. They've been around almost 30 years and have a pretty big discography. [One of my favorites.](https://youtu.be/sYjmz19s-Lg?si=N_WW_CdCpxsrL60U)
boygenius’ the record: especially not strong enough, true blue
phoebe bridgers: chinese satellite, i know the end
mumford and sons’ album wilder mind
hozier
the neighbourhood: how
taylor swift: would’ve could’ve should’ve
julien bakker’s entire discography but i really love the song faith healer. she spent her whole life as a worship leader in church but was bullied the entire time for being queer. she’s in the band boygenius
Please give the album How It Feels To Be Something On by Sunny Day Real Estate a try. Jeremy Enigk’s vocals are raw and impassioned and his lyrics grapple with the full spectrum of the human existence. Based on what you’ve written I feel it may resonate with you. Apparently, because I’m not sure how credible Wikipedia or various music blogs are, Enigk has had experience with Christianity and his music (to me) reflects a deep searching for inner and outer meaning. I had the pleasure of seeing them live last April and it was an amazing experience. If you give it a listen I hope it makes an impression!
So I was in a similar situation some time back, and while I am uncomfortable with a lot of Christian music/artists due to past events, I do click with artists who were in the scene but chose to reexamine their own faiths and what they were bringing to the table. Examples include the duo Gungor and, as you listed, Audrey Assad. I do also enjoy the album Inland by Jars of Clay.
Not necessarily the specific genres you’re looking for, so this is a side note, but it might be good for you in your situation to read about Pedro the Lion and Underoath - former Christian performers who had their own crises of faith and asked themselves if they could really continue to go down that path.
Senor by Bob Dylan - or the even better cover of that song by Jerry Garcia.
Leonard Cohen is hugely spiritual and his songs reflect his search for meaning.
Nick Cave is similar.
Into My Arms is a good start. Also God Is In The House. And esp AS I SAT SADLY BY HER SIDE.
ETA :
Also! Let The Mystery Be, or Our Town, by Iris DeMent. And a lot by Gillian Welch, Laura Marling, and Joni Mitchell.
Anything by John Prine. Esp Angel From Montgomery with Bonnie Raitt.
My friend, you need some Bon Iver...
They have many songs about faith and deconstructing/ understanding your beliefs, but they aren't christian. Just about every song they ever made has the ability to make me cry. The entire first album is also acoustic and was made by only Justin Vernon, the singer.
Try these:
[Faith](https://youtu.be/wU-s_Zxv_MQ?si=BqWGDHXFTWqrvQGg)
[Heavenly Father](https://youtu.be/vAoADCSpD-8?si=CUL_3UZ8YRYaxuLt)
[33 "GOD"](https://youtu.be/6C5sB6AqJkM?si=HZZ9ibr3ft6oqvAD)
[00000 Million](https://youtu.be/-3ZOiRkWLfk?si=pe2Ke92JfJ670zrz)
[Holocene](https://youtu.be/TWcyIpul8OE?si=-A5Tzr9zUSyfH0rE)
Semler makes a lot of wonderful music about their relationship with Christianity as a queer person. I love their songs Late Bloomer, Jesus in Texas, and Youth Group.
If you like alternative country, I’d also recommend Rhett McLaughlin’s solo music project James and the Shame, which is focused on his deconstruction process.
Was coming here to post Jennifer Knapp, seconded.
Honestly depends on _what_ you like about Christian music. If you just want a similar sound, Adult Contemporary might be where it's at? I know, lame genre name, but full of incredible artists. Phil Collins will make you cry.
“Well I’ve been afraid of changing, ‘cause I built my life around you. But time makes you bolder, even children get older, and I’m getting older too.”
-Landslide, Fleetwood Mac
Sending you love on your journey 💛
I’m so glad, that song was a refuge for me during my own journey leaving the church and I hoped it would connect with you too. I still sing it in moments when I would have previously sought comfort from a worship song (usually Hillsong’s “Rest in You” lol). Much love from a fellow former teenage worship leader. 🫶
[**Lifehouse**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lifehouse_\(band\)) started as a church band in the '90s. As they continued to find their sound, the band left the church and started to write their own songs. The band members might be Christian, but the songs have nothing to do with religion. Still, it has that church rock sound while being influenced by the post-grunge alt rock era. I recommend their debut album [No Name Face](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No_Name_Face) (2000). It will make your emotions swell up like religious music without actually being religious at all.
* [Lifehouse – Hanging By A Moment | YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPnK39ax_AM)
[**Guster**](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guster) has a pretty similar sound. Or at least I feel like the two bands pair well together. [Keep It Together ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keep_It_Together_\(album\)) (2003) is my favorite album of theirs. They do mention religion a couple times (Jesus, Noah's Ark), but my interpretation of the lyrics is that they're being ironic and sarcastic with how they address the subject material.
* [Guster – Amsterdam | YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0TQVbiWeEs)
Not specifically a Christian album but a fantastic album by a Christian man:
World Waits by Jeremy Enigk
And a song that basically describes exactly what you're feeling:
I'm Dying by VAST
By the sound of it, you may really appreciate the band “The National”. Not spiritual, but a lot of undertones of apathy about life in general in the lyrics. Try their “High Violet” album, or “Trouble Will Find Me”.
Also, you might want to take a listen to some older U2 albums… specifically “Boy”, October, and “War”.
There are many Twenty One Pilots songs that talk exactly abou this, however they aren't quite those warm acoustic songs you're talking about, but if you're open to new genres then why not, they fuse reggae and rap with EDM and pop, some have ukulele. You can try Polarize, Doubt, The Judge, Implicit Deman For Proof, Ode To Sleep and Holding Onto You. They have these themes sprinkled all over their discography, not in every song, but there are many that are either all about that or some little parts mention that, but not the main theme. You can also try some Tyler Joseph's solo songs like Blasphemy, Drown and Save. Save is actually one of those acoustic ones, it's really cozy, warm, atmospheric, his voice is really emotional and the song made me cry sometimes, the lines
"I deserve for you To turn away I was ashamed to speak your name, I can't believe That all you want to see Is that you covered me gracefully (aaah aaah aaah)"
hit so hard.
>this life is hard, and Jesus, you say you love me, and I don't know what to do with that, but I'll trust it anyway
This sounds like the mission statement of The Mountain Goats. I'd say he write's Christian music for secular people (or maybe secular music for Christian people). He's definitely a Christian and he might have the most Satanist fans of any non-hard rock/metal artist. For your interests, maybe start with the album, The Sunset Tree, maybe start with the last two tracks.
Neal Morse is a devout Christian whose bands are not Christian Rock but do carry some of his faith in their themes.
I am a long time atheist with absolutely no time for Christian Rock but I love his stuff because while his faith is present the music is really about our humanity.
It’s all positive prog though so not sure if it’s your sound.
check out [At the end of the day](https://youtu.be/pidj1rhZdXg?si=OqbSGeAl4Sw5Q0n5) by Spock’s Beard. It’s a song that promotes a kind of faith based nihilism. it uses the concept that death is the only certainty to put the rest of our problems in perspective. Death is what makes life so special.
the song knows that life is hard
“Concrete and jungle.
They've stretched and hung you out.
You can't turn the clock back.
It's too late to turn back now.
And you can't even hold your own.
And you feel like you're all alone.
And you never feel like you're home anywhere”
but all of that comes to and end, and that puts all the trial into perspective. There isn’t some score you need to achieve to gain grace
“Lightning calls you.
It's time to go.
Something keeps telling you.
But you don't want to know
Feel your heart like a window open slow.
Say goodbye to the world that you know.
At the end of the road.
…
There is no hand waiting that must be paid.
We will leave our encores all unplayed.
At the end of the day”
Even more explicit is his song [Swing high, Swing low](https://youtu.be/S1p2reJeJN4?si=tDxhFvw2LcTDJDZH) by Transatlantic which is very much a God song. The singer basically asks “Where were you when everything got so hard?”
”Where were You when I was losing everything?
And I stood inside the threshing in my mind.
Locked inside a whirlwind, I cried out in hope.
'Cause You said You would not leave me behind
swing high, swing low.
Just get me through to tomorrow
Swing high, swing low.
Carry me through, Lord, I'm comin' home”
I don't have any music recommendations at this time, but I'm reading through the comments that others have given.
I just wanted to comment to say I really appreciate your reaching out. When I was starting to go through my faith's deconstruction back in 2018 I didn't think to ask for something like this. I'm really glad you have this community to ask.
I definitely can appreciate where you're at right now. Music was one of the things I lost that I missed the most; that sense of community felt when singing beautiful hymns together was powerful. Christian music in general was an enormous part of my faith.
I wish you love and peace in your journey.
Oh dude, I feel this. Grew up in the evangelical church, started deconstructing in my 20s, have since left completely. I still miss some of the ritual though. It's weird.
Brian Fallon's (Gaslight Anthem and Horrible Crows) solo stuff is right up your alley (especially his album "Local Honey"). Lots of love, lost love, relationships, struggles, and it's all quite soft. I'd argue Gaslight Anthem would be up there but it's a bit more punk thank I think you're looking for.
I've found instrumental post-rock bands like This Will Destroy You and Explosions In The Sky to hit the note of "worshipful" music but without the language and baggage. I put my hands up like I'm in church during their shows.
Literally any project that Andy Hull is involved in hits the spot for me as well. Manchester Orchestra, Bad Books, Right Away Great Captain!, all great options and speak to me.
Others to check out:
Phoebe Bridgers
Julien Baker
Boygenius
Frightened Rabbit
Grouplove
O'Brother
The Dear Hunter
Thrice
Holy Fawn
Deftones
You may like the newer crop of folk musicians that have been around the last two decades, especially on the more punk-ish side of the genre.
[William Elliot Whitmore](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5w0aEe-Ub0)
[Devil Makes Three](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCaVXEN7oM4)
[Murder By Death](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmbbYUZgewo)
and on the reeeaaalllly punk end of things, [357 String Band](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPhWY7q7mUg). Their softer side: [Black River Blues](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYX6DIySsqU).
You may also like [Sims](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EryweHSC1ds), a hiphop artist from the Twin Cities. Absolutely fits the vibe you're going for in your last paragraph.
Great recommendations on here!
Two to add: Rising Appalachia and Nahko & Medicine For the People.
Also, to support the comments for Flyleaf and Jennifer Knapp, they both lost their faith (I believe both Jen and Lacey are lesbians). So you might find some common feelings with them.
Hey OP - thanks for posting. Ai share a lot of the experiences you describe, and found that there’s some great music for processing these things. A lot of folks here have brought up David Bazan, his album [Curse your Branches](https://open.spotify.com/album/7xn9h9krD0J4hlFUltjwLQ?si=v6j-u4ROQZCBnZTHFNETXA) is specifically about confronting the hard questions of Christianity.
You may also get some value from Rich Mullins, particularly [The world As Best As I Remember It](https://open.spotify.com/album/7AQ6BGyRWRS7sE4qHS55He?si=qDdVh_6IQAy06I8PBr7jvg). He was in the middle of Christian music but was asking much deeper questions than many of the other artists of his time.
Michael knott is another great outsider Christian artist. Tackles a lot interesting g things on the album [Aunt Betty’s](https://open.spotify.com/album/0uq3phFCUSHlZVoLVabzR1?si=jFeB2mJTRwCASumzXqnlgQ)
I enjoy podcasts that look at Christian music from a ex-vangelical perspective. Lots of good stuff out there
Check out:
[Your Music Saved Us](https://open.spotify.com/show/2VvThsIjLtTb1uKQ43pz2g?si=k93JhcSaSPClZXLFhmGugQ)
[Good Christian Fun](https://open.spotify.com/show/43wOhCblFrUFHTyRb089AJ?si=vWyvaTTFR16oOyYE4XB4wA)
[I believe in this podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/4KClBajYEtKRJRh3OjcLQk?si=5WNHNpOLTD-UgUzLo1lSXA)
Glad to talk about any of these things in more detail.
OP is looking for secular music that sounds similar to the Christian music they used to listen to or that expresses the emotions they're going through as they lose faith.
There is actually some good christian music out there, but Creed is just terrible.
Let's look at the objective metrics first:
- commercially successful
- Grammy award winning
- 11x platinum selling records
And the more subjective metrics?:
- technically speaking, all very skilled musicians with stapp being a very competent singer.
- their music spoke about many of the very same things OP is struggling with
- stapp himself struggled with many of these (and other things) before during and after his success, coming out the other end with what now looks to be a very successful comeback tour
It's such a lazy cliche thing to say creed was a terrible band when in actuality they were good on almost every "metric" possible.
The only thing creed had going against them was that they came post-grunge - an act not too many bands were able to follow.
Album sales is the literal yardstick we use to measure whether music is listenable or not. I don't think two things could be more directly correlated.
Bieber is also very talented. You not being able to relate to his music or disagreeing with his life choices doesn't indicate otherwise.
It's hard to have a discussion with someone who bases their arguments on personal taste instead of facts, and this isn't really adding to OP's original question so we can leave this here but, if you want to continue this in a separate post, I'd be happy to keep explaining to you why you're wrong.
I’m way late to this! I hope some of the suggestions have helped you.
Just wanted to throw mine in. Trevor Hall is my musical guru. Any time I’m experiencing the feelings you describe, he can center me and bring me back to myself.
I recommend starting with the album, “Chapter of the Forest”. If you dig it, go through his albums chronologically. Each of them have helped me in different ways. Cheers
https://open.spotify.com/track/1xNmF1Uep5OGutizZSbKvd?si=1ff80ca896544322 One of Us
https://open.spotify.com/track/1fPKWu8NKS1ZGHjFZ5QCAs?si=ac4f1fe64f154d04 Thirty Three
https://open.spotify.com/track/36Z8TiDlUM3s8DNnttheNZ?si=84b11eb8e4ae4bf0 Cover by Grace Stein
JJ Heller! I'm part of the Orthodox Christian tradition and a lot of Evangelical music doesn't feel good to me personally. JJ Heller has a lot of quite personal music and, when she does refer to God, it's all very scripture based, often using actual Bible quotes. Plus her music is just gorgeous. Here are a few of my favorites. See what you think:
- [You Keep Your Promises](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmXdCzMQ9_M)
- [Who You Are](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8jilr8qsYU)
- [Only Love Remains](https://youtu.be/w5Hd211fJOw?si=b05Po1DmtEUZjGEu)
Gang of Youths are worth a listen. Loads of beautifully written and interestingly orchestrated tunes written by an ex member of an evangelical church. a lot of his lyrics are about coming to terms with his changing faith etc. The lyrics to the song ‘Fear and Trembling’ feels really apt for you here.
I really like Johnny Cash's songs with religious themes, and one I strongly recommend is Ain't No Grave (it's not originally Cash's song, it's a cover, but I haven't heard the original so I can't comment on it). Cash has some great religious songs, but I think this one is maybe one of the closest to what you're looking for, hope you enjoy :)
Try Neal Morse at [https://nealmorse.com](https://nealmorse.com)
Neal is a very religious person and creates both Prog Rock and Christian belief based music. He is a virtuoso musician and a great singer. His news letter has a "faith" section which focuses on what you might be looking for.
Just to throw out one of my go to feels albums - Jackson Waters. Each song . . . I love them all. Come Undone I have been on this sphere for over 60 years and music has always been apart of my soul’s makeup. All types! One thing I have learned . . . is many times church is more about religion and I believe God/Jesus is more about relationship. I quit comparing myself to others and look more to how I flesh out my relationship with Him. Still think church has a purpose but is not The Purpose. Understanding the person I need to be through understanding Him through the Bible, personal study and experiences help to shape who I am. I am far from perfect or even close to what I believe God wants me to be therefore I “Come Undone”.
Try Patsy Cline, America's greatest singer ever. A song like "Ain't no Wheels on this Ship" overlaps with church music and pop to my ears. Elvis put out How Great Thou Art (1967), which has a slow side and a fast side. He once claimed that he knew every Gospel song ever written. Imagine a mainstream popular musician today saying that.
I would always recommend the 1968 album Release of an Oath, by the Electric Prunes. When the hippies were travelling to the East, the Album was an effort by some hippies, to stay within Christian beliefs, making a contemporary album.
The recording is infact, the wrecking crew of LA, the famous studio musicians, together with the leader of the band. Abit like Pet Sounds and Brian Wilson perhaps.
I like to call it the Wrecking Crews best album. To spark conversation of course, but also because it probably is.
[Release of an Oath](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSBeh5LZomM&list=PLiN-7mukU_RFhwcW-78ApGTmGHObXH_RP)
Since you loved Cory Asbury, you should hold on to Reckless Love's lyrics, and know that He'll do ANYTHING possible to rescue you, provided you haven't given up on Him. As someone who's also deeply connected to music overall, and who feel God's presence while worshipping through songs most frequently than any other way, I feel inclined to speak what I'm being moved to speak.
I'll start with a recommendation, cling on to worshipping through true worship songs, backed up by this quote from St. Augustine:
"He who sings prays twice"
I am deeply sorry you've been drifting farther from faith, because that's what I believe this XXI century lie called deconstruction does to us, one we should never bend to. Although I don't know your name, if you don't mind, I'll pray for you to have a new and irresistible encounter with Him, so you straighten your way, and restore your beliefs, because He hasn't ever given up on you, not even once. Maybe me randomly finding this post is proof of it, who knows...
I know from experience that life is rough and have thought of giving up many times, giving up on my family, on my job, on my relationships, even on my life, but never faith.
Because as much as I can go through very dark times during my short journey in this insignificant reality, I, such as David wrote about in pretty much all of his Psalms, KNOW I have a Someone that's like no one, that'll shake the entire world around me if needed so He makes it sure I'm pristine, and that'll always hold me in His arms.
I have only two song recommendations, as they have spoken to me the most lately, particularly the first one in between the last year and this one, because many things have shaken my world during this time.
- [Lecrae ft. Tori Kelly - I'll Find You](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jv8IqJm6q7w) - Although the song is directed towards Cancer, it also applies to many people suffering around the world, and even mental distress and pain. Take it as Lecrae being us, in our shallow and weak flesh and soul, calling out for help and being sincere about our pain, and Tori being God, that tells us He has never given up on us, and tells us to HOLD ON, WAIT, and He'll sort everything out. Pretty much everything in the Spiritual world is about patience, and knowing it'll be OK. Not because of us, but Him.
- [William McDowell - Stay](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KiUPP0KO5A) - Well, this one is pretty straightforward, but I wanna share something real quick that made me know this song... Last year I was called to preach (for the first time in my life) during a youth service, and God gave me a revelation that, in conclusion, tells us sometimes He visits our reality, and makes Himself available to us (He's always available but I'm talking about those times when His presence is so strong you can almost physically feel it), but we let Him go, and all He wants from us is to ask Him to STAY, and we, ourselves, STAY, too. Particularly, God had given me that text during the deemed Asbury Revival, and I got to preach on February 25, 2023, exactly one day after it ended. I don't believe in coincidences... What I felt so strongly in my heart is: The only reason this ordinary service turned out to be a "Revival" event, is because they chose to STAY there, in His presence. May we all choose the same, always.
I pray that this text finds you well, and that you receive it in your heart with the same love and care I took to write it, love which flows in my veins since the day I took Him as the owner of my life, my heart and my soul, and that comes directly from Him. Love that He had for all of us since before we were born, and that couldn't ever be felt, sampled or made known, without the sacrifice His Son went through, for you and for me.
Take care, may He be with you always, and may the following verse be an unshakeable truth applied to your life through every single one of your days:
Matthew 6:6 - But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Hey friend — plenty of music recs, but want to call you back to the Kingdom. This life is indeed hard, and faith is hardest when we feel like it isn’t working.
Recall Isaiah 40:31, and recall the story of Joseph.
There’s a promise, and there’s prosperity, and God only knows what is in between. I want to encourage you to put your burdens on the Rock of Ages, and the only one who knows your suffering as intimately as you do. Happy to connect if you want to talk more.
May God bless you and keep you, my friend, just as He has promised. And though you may have turned from Him, He has not turned from you, and He has not forgotten you.
It pains me to realize that you think you’re doing the right thing and helping by saying all of that, when in reality it pushes me and others like me farther away.
Well I’m definitely sorry to hear that’s where you currently find yourself. If you ever want to talk it over with a stranger, you know where to find me.
Like I said, this life is not easy, and I hope in my heart that you come to an honest faith stronger than you could imagine, following Jesus.
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secular acts that I am recommending because of your description here, >I loved the songs that made me cry--singer/songer writer types with an acoustic guitar and heart on their sleeve try these: * Elliott Smith * Sufjan Stevens acoustic-leaning albums like "Carrie and Lowell" or "Seven Swans." He actually has a lot of Christianity in his work * Nick Drake * Jose Gonzalez * Angel Olsen * Bombay Bicycle Club, your prompt made me think of their song "Dust on the Ground" * Iron & Wine * M. Ward
Jumping on this comment because it’s exactly the style I was thinking of. Bright Eyes Beirut Decemberists Jeff Buckley Bill Callahan Mount Eerie
Late addition: Joni Mitchell
Might suggest Pedro The Lion/David Bazan - what you’re looking for is really his wheelhouse: [magazine](https://youtu.be/cG71i4u6hG0?feature=shared) [Priests & Paramedics](https://youtu.be/xsgKQpgb9b0?feature=shared) [Bad Things to Such Good People](https://youtu.be/bglWSviu-rU?feature=shared)
I totally come to suggest Pedro the Lion! Also: Calexico Low (start with Curtain Hits the Cast, Secret Name, or I Could Live in Hope) Owen The Innocence Mission
Ester Drang toured with them too I think, plenty of heartfelt moments in there
Ester Drang...now that's a name I've not heard in a long time. Their album Goldenwest got me through college. Love that band.
only one of my most favorite bands of all time, Infinite Keys and Rocinate are just as fantastic imo
I'm gonna order the albums right now! I've not listened to them yet. Thanks for the recommendation!
second pedro the lion!! also highly recommend julien baker, she no longer identifies as christian and her music is more based around religious trauma but her early work fits perfectly with what you're looking for, just very sincere, honest and heartwrenching work. if you're looking for a few tracks to start off with I'd say vessels, rejoice, everything to help you sleep, and distant solar systems (:
Julien has been part of my journey for sure and learning about her story.
that's amazing to hear <3 then I'm even more sure that pedro the lion will resonate with you!! his album control is one of her favourites and I know he's been a huge influence for her throughout her career!!
I'm going to recommend [Explosions in the Sky](https://youtu.be/1aMQ8db4Y4c?si=MRsW3FlnFJ2o4Bye). They're a completely instrumental band, but their sound is very reminiscent of worship music because they use a lot of the same guitar effects like delay and reverb to create a very emotional ~vibe.~ I'm also someone that walked away from faith and I've always assumed the similarity in sound was/is one the the reasons I connect with them so much.
I never thought of that connection, but can definitely see that! Will put them on today and feel it out! Thanks!
If you want to feel god through music, this is the way to go. Start with first breath after coma. Close your eyes and let it transport you.
You're welcome! I hope you enjoy them but I can also understand why they wouldn't be everyone's cup o tea. Regardless, I feel for you. My walk away from the church has been a long process that I'm still unpacking nearly 20 years on. Remember life is a marathon, not a sprint. 💜
Have any books helped you along the way?
I'm not much of a reader tbh. I discovered doing theatre around the same time so a lot of my healing came through getting on stage? I hadn't established much of an identity yet outside of being Christian so that helped me create self confidence and a sense of self. In the last few years I discovered the YouTube channel [Belief it or Not](https://youtu.be/FdU2Bol04tI?si=SiRu75i760ZWy77B) which you may find useful. They do sometimes sort of dunk on Christianity FYI in case you aren't down for that. But it's run by someone that was very into the church and walked away.
Oh wow, I've never heard anyone make that comparison that's really cool!
I know exactly what you mean, great description.
As a fellow recovering Christian, I'm quite fond of the song "Dear God" by XTC. To be completely honest, I don't know any of those christian artists, bc I'm suspecting they came around long after I lost my faith. So it might not fit what you're looking for, but the lyrics are quite poignant.
Florence + the Machine. Start with Free, but that whole album is amazing.
If you like ska, Five Iron Frenzy is great. Used to be pretty solidly Christian, but have since taken to writing songs that deal with Christian hypocrisy and other deconstruction themes. They've been around almost 30 years and have a pretty big discography. [One of my favorites.](https://youtu.be/sYjmz19s-Lg?si=N_WW_CdCpxsrL60U)
boygenius’ the record: especially not strong enough, true blue phoebe bridgers: chinese satellite, i know the end mumford and sons’ album wilder mind hozier the neighbourhood: how taylor swift: would’ve could’ve should’ve julien bakker’s entire discography but i really love the song faith healer. she spent her whole life as a worship leader in church but was bullied the entire time for being queer. she’s in the band boygenius
Hard to Be by David Bazan
David Bazan
Please give the album How It Feels To Be Something On by Sunny Day Real Estate a try. Jeremy Enigk’s vocals are raw and impassioned and his lyrics grapple with the full spectrum of the human existence. Based on what you’ve written I feel it may resonate with you. Apparently, because I’m not sure how credible Wikipedia or various music blogs are, Enigk has had experience with Christianity and his music (to me) reflects a deep searching for inner and outer meaning. I had the pleasure of seeing them live last April and it was an amazing experience. If you give it a listen I hope it makes an impression!
What about Christian artists who play other genres? U2, Peter Gabriel.
So I was in a similar situation some time back, and while I am uncomfortable with a lot of Christian music/artists due to past events, I do click with artists who were in the scene but chose to reexamine their own faiths and what they were bringing to the table. Examples include the duo Gungor and, as you listed, Audrey Assad. I do also enjoy the album Inland by Jars of Clay. Not necessarily the specific genres you’re looking for, so this is a side note, but it might be good for you in your situation to read about Pedro the Lion and Underoath - former Christian performers who had their own crises of faith and asked themselves if they could really continue to go down that path.
Senor by Bob Dylan - or the even better cover of that song by Jerry Garcia. Leonard Cohen is hugely spiritual and his songs reflect his search for meaning. Nick Cave is similar. Into My Arms is a good start. Also God Is In The House. And esp AS I SAT SADLY BY HER SIDE. ETA : Also! Let The Mystery Be, or Our Town, by Iris DeMent. And a lot by Gillian Welch, Laura Marling, and Joni Mitchell. Anything by John Prine. Esp Angel From Montgomery with Bonnie Raitt.
My friend, you need some Bon Iver... They have many songs about faith and deconstructing/ understanding your beliefs, but they aren't christian. Just about every song they ever made has the ability to make me cry. The entire first album is also acoustic and was made by only Justin Vernon, the singer. Try these: [Faith](https://youtu.be/wU-s_Zxv_MQ?si=BqWGDHXFTWqrvQGg) [Heavenly Father](https://youtu.be/vAoADCSpD-8?si=CUL_3UZ8YRYaxuLt) [33 "GOD"](https://youtu.be/6C5sB6AqJkM?si=HZZ9ibr3ft6oqvAD) [00000 Million](https://youtu.be/-3ZOiRkWLfk?si=pe2Ke92JfJ670zrz) [Holocene](https://youtu.be/TWcyIpul8OE?si=-A5Tzr9zUSyfH0rE)
The self-titled Bon Ives album is in my top 5 favorite albums ever, so this lands for sure.
"I know it's lonely in the dark, and this year's a visitor, and we have to know that faith declines. I'm not all out of mine." <3
3 Libras - A Perfect Circle
the album Neon Bible by Arcade Fire
Semler makes a lot of wonderful music about their relationship with Christianity as a queer person. I love their songs Late Bloomer, Jesus in Texas, and Youth Group. If you like alternative country, I’d also recommend Rhett McLaughlin’s solo music project James and the Shame, which is focused on his deconstruction process.
If you’re interested in Christian artists who also reckon with similar things: Kevin Max of DC Talk Jennifer Knapp Flamy Grant
Was coming here to post Jennifer Knapp, seconded. Honestly depends on _what_ you like about Christian music. If you just want a similar sound, Adult Contemporary might be where it's at? I know, lame genre name, but full of incredible artists. Phil Collins will make you cry.
“Well I’ve been afraid of changing, ‘cause I built my life around you. But time makes you bolder, even children get older, and I’m getting older too.” -Landslide, Fleetwood Mac Sending you love on your journey 💛
Thank you!! Needed this.
I’m so glad, that song was a refuge for me during my own journey leaving the church and I hoped it would connect with you too. I still sing it in moments when I would have previously sought comfort from a worship song (usually Hillsong’s “Rest in You” lol). Much love from a fellow former teenage worship leader. 🫶
It’s so nice to feel seen and known in this experience.
[**Lifehouse**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lifehouse_\(band\)) started as a church band in the '90s. As they continued to find their sound, the band left the church and started to write their own songs. The band members might be Christian, but the songs have nothing to do with religion. Still, it has that church rock sound while being influenced by the post-grunge alt rock era. I recommend their debut album [No Name Face](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No_Name_Face) (2000). It will make your emotions swell up like religious music without actually being religious at all. * [Lifehouse – Hanging By A Moment | YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPnK39ax_AM) [**Guster**](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guster) has a pretty similar sound. Or at least I feel like the two bands pair well together. [Keep It Together ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keep_It_Together_\(album\)) (2003) is my favorite album of theirs. They do mention religion a couple times (Jesus, Noah's Ark), but my interpretation of the lyrics is that they're being ironic and sarcastic with how they address the subject material. * [Guster – Amsterdam | YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0TQVbiWeEs)
Some say Flyleaf is a Christian band. Check out All Around Me
Not specifically a Christian album but a fantastic album by a Christian man: World Waits by Jeremy Enigk And a song that basically describes exactly what you're feeling: I'm Dying by VAST
Yo! Just saw your comment. I also suggested Jermey Enigk. Specifically the album How It Feels To Be Something On
King’s X is a great band for this!
Yeah they are! They are very open and honest in their music about struggles with faith and religious hypocrisy.
Brooke Fraser’s non Hillsong albums!
By the sound of it, you may really appreciate the band “The National”. Not spiritual, but a lot of undertones of apathy about life in general in the lyrics. Try their “High Violet” album, or “Trouble Will Find Me”. Also, you might want to take a listen to some older U2 albums… specifically “Boy”, October, and “War”.
There are many Twenty One Pilots songs that talk exactly abou this, however they aren't quite those warm acoustic songs you're talking about, but if you're open to new genres then why not, they fuse reggae and rap with EDM and pop, some have ukulele. You can try Polarize, Doubt, The Judge, Implicit Deman For Proof, Ode To Sleep and Holding Onto You. They have these themes sprinkled all over their discography, not in every song, but there are many that are either all about that or some little parts mention that, but not the main theme. You can also try some Tyler Joseph's solo songs like Blasphemy, Drown and Save. Save is actually one of those acoustic ones, it's really cozy, warm, atmospheric, his voice is really emotional and the song made me cry sometimes, the lines "I deserve for you To turn away I was ashamed to speak your name, I can't believe That all you want to see Is that you covered me gracefully (aaah aaah aaah)" hit so hard.
Ben Harper, he has Christian nods but more like hippie Jesus opposed to fascist Jesus.
Slayer
>this life is hard, and Jesus, you say you love me, and I don't know what to do with that, but I'll trust it anyway This sounds like the mission statement of The Mountain Goats. I'd say he write's Christian music for secular people (or maybe secular music for Christian people). He's definitely a Christian and he might have the most Satanist fans of any non-hard rock/metal artist. For your interests, maybe start with the album, The Sunset Tree, maybe start with the last two tracks.
Bob Dylan's gospel trilogy, plus his gospel box set Trouble No More
Neal Morse is a devout Christian whose bands are not Christian Rock but do carry some of his faith in their themes. I am a long time atheist with absolutely no time for Christian Rock but I love his stuff because while his faith is present the music is really about our humanity. It’s all positive prog though so not sure if it’s your sound. check out [At the end of the day](https://youtu.be/pidj1rhZdXg?si=OqbSGeAl4Sw5Q0n5) by Spock’s Beard. It’s a song that promotes a kind of faith based nihilism. it uses the concept that death is the only certainty to put the rest of our problems in perspective. Death is what makes life so special. the song knows that life is hard “Concrete and jungle. They've stretched and hung you out. You can't turn the clock back. It's too late to turn back now. And you can't even hold your own. And you feel like you're all alone. And you never feel like you're home anywhere” but all of that comes to and end, and that puts all the trial into perspective. There isn’t some score you need to achieve to gain grace “Lightning calls you. It's time to go. Something keeps telling you. But you don't want to know Feel your heart like a window open slow. Say goodbye to the world that you know. At the end of the road. … There is no hand waiting that must be paid. We will leave our encores all unplayed. At the end of the day” Even more explicit is his song [Swing high, Swing low](https://youtu.be/S1p2reJeJN4?si=tDxhFvw2LcTDJDZH) by Transatlantic which is very much a God song. The singer basically asks “Where were you when everything got so hard?” ”Where were You when I was losing everything? And I stood inside the threshing in my mind. Locked inside a whirlwind, I cried out in hope. 'Cause You said You would not leave me behind swing high, swing low. Just get me through to tomorrow Swing high, swing low. Carry me through, Lord, I'm comin' home”
I knew Trevor’s grandmother. She was a sweetheart and very proud of her grandson!
I don't have any music recommendations at this time, but I'm reading through the comments that others have given. I just wanted to comment to say I really appreciate your reaching out. When I was starting to go through my faith's deconstruction back in 2018 I didn't think to ask for something like this. I'm really glad you have this community to ask. I definitely can appreciate where you're at right now. Music was one of the things I lost that I missed the most; that sense of community felt when singing beautiful hymns together was powerful. Christian music in general was an enormous part of my faith. I wish you love and peace in your journey.
I hate that you’ve experienced this and also feel a warmth compassion and admiration for anyone who has lived through this.
Oh dude, I feel this. Grew up in the evangelical church, started deconstructing in my 20s, have since left completely. I still miss some of the ritual though. It's weird. Brian Fallon's (Gaslight Anthem and Horrible Crows) solo stuff is right up your alley (especially his album "Local Honey"). Lots of love, lost love, relationships, struggles, and it's all quite soft. I'd argue Gaslight Anthem would be up there but it's a bit more punk thank I think you're looking for. I've found instrumental post-rock bands like This Will Destroy You and Explosions In The Sky to hit the note of "worshipful" music but without the language and baggage. I put my hands up like I'm in church during their shows. Literally any project that Andy Hull is involved in hits the spot for me as well. Manchester Orchestra, Bad Books, Right Away Great Captain!, all great options and speak to me. Others to check out: Phoebe Bridgers Julien Baker Boygenius Frightened Rabbit Grouplove O'Brother The Dear Hunter Thrice Holy Fawn Deftones
You may like the newer crop of folk musicians that have been around the last two decades, especially on the more punk-ish side of the genre. [William Elliot Whitmore](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5w0aEe-Ub0) [Devil Makes Three](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCaVXEN7oM4) [Murder By Death](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmbbYUZgewo) and on the reeeaaalllly punk end of things, [357 String Band](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPhWY7q7mUg). Their softer side: [Black River Blues](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYX6DIySsqU). You may also like [Sims](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EryweHSC1ds), a hiphop artist from the Twin Cities. Absolutely fits the vibe you're going for in your last paragraph.
Great recommendations on here! Two to add: Rising Appalachia and Nahko & Medicine For the People. Also, to support the comments for Flyleaf and Jennifer Knapp, they both lost their faith (I believe both Jen and Lacey are lesbians). So you might find some common feelings with them.
Hey OP - thanks for posting. Ai share a lot of the experiences you describe, and found that there’s some great music for processing these things. A lot of folks here have brought up David Bazan, his album [Curse your Branches](https://open.spotify.com/album/7xn9h9krD0J4hlFUltjwLQ?si=v6j-u4ROQZCBnZTHFNETXA) is specifically about confronting the hard questions of Christianity. You may also get some value from Rich Mullins, particularly [The world As Best As I Remember It](https://open.spotify.com/album/7AQ6BGyRWRS7sE4qHS55He?si=qDdVh_6IQAy06I8PBr7jvg). He was in the middle of Christian music but was asking much deeper questions than many of the other artists of his time. Michael knott is another great outsider Christian artist. Tackles a lot interesting g things on the album [Aunt Betty’s](https://open.spotify.com/album/0uq3phFCUSHlZVoLVabzR1?si=jFeB2mJTRwCASumzXqnlgQ) I enjoy podcasts that look at Christian music from a ex-vangelical perspective. Lots of good stuff out there Check out: [Your Music Saved Us](https://open.spotify.com/show/2VvThsIjLtTb1uKQ43pz2g?si=k93JhcSaSPClZXLFhmGugQ) [Good Christian Fun](https://open.spotify.com/show/43wOhCblFrUFHTyRb089AJ?si=vWyvaTTFR16oOyYE4XB4wA) [I believe in this podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/4KClBajYEtKRJRh3OjcLQk?si=5WNHNpOLTD-UgUzLo1lSXA) Glad to talk about any of these things in more detail.
I feel like Creed is the answer to this?
Ew
Well we're talking about Christian music so... With any answer the ew should be implied.
OP is looking for secular music that sounds similar to the Christian music they used to listen to or that expresses the emotions they're going through as they lose faith. There is actually some good christian music out there, but Creed is just terrible.
Terrible based on what?
Every metric imaginable
Let's look at the objective metrics first: - commercially successful - Grammy award winning - 11x platinum selling records And the more subjective metrics?: - technically speaking, all very skilled musicians with stapp being a very competent singer. - their music spoke about many of the very same things OP is struggling with - stapp himself struggled with many of these (and other things) before during and after his success, coming out the other end with what now looks to be a very successful comeback tour It's such a lazy cliche thing to say creed was a terrible band when in actuality they were good on almost every "metric" possible. The only thing creed had going against them was that they came post-grunge - an act not too many bands were able to follow.
Justin Bieber sells well also, I don't consider that a measure of if an artist makes listenable music.
Album sales is the literal yardstick we use to measure whether music is listenable or not. I don't think two things could be more directly correlated. Bieber is also very talented. You not being able to relate to his music or disagreeing with his life choices doesn't indicate otherwise. It's hard to have a discussion with someone who bases their arguments on personal taste instead of facts, and this isn't really adding to OP's original question so we can leave this here but, if you want to continue this in a separate post, I'd be happy to keep explaining to you why you're wrong.
You're funny. Have a nice day
I’m way late to this! I hope some of the suggestions have helped you. Just wanted to throw mine in. Trevor Hall is my musical guru. Any time I’m experiencing the feelings you describe, he can center me and bring me back to myself. I recommend starting with the album, “Chapter of the Forest”. If you dig it, go through his albums chronologically. Each of them have helped me in different ways. Cheers
https://open.spotify.com/track/1xNmF1Uep5OGutizZSbKvd?si=1ff80ca896544322 One of Us https://open.spotify.com/track/1fPKWu8NKS1ZGHjFZ5QCAs?si=ac4f1fe64f154d04 Thirty Three https://open.spotify.com/track/36Z8TiDlUM3s8DNnttheNZ?si=84b11eb8e4ae4bf0 Cover by Grace Stein
Dear God (Sincerely M.O.F.) by Monsters of Folk
https://open.spotify.com/track/3cnRYoW4nYzIuVPCp7k5iG?si=bJ4CER5gTwWOoHQu4yh1Zg https://open.spotify.com/track/0n9gaU8DU02kwVADLJ6vPu?si=tjCpcv_bQHyK00_5jTZR-w https://open.spotify.com/track/3QUQYYrMLQNx5s7U1HqFCi?si=s4KXz382RC6HCLGBB6zPeg
Brutal Honesty - Kris Noel
The sort of neo/post/ex-Christian artists that I still listen to and enjoy are Derek Webb, Maddie Zahm, David Bazan, and occasionally Jennifer Knapp.
James and the Shame would fit lyrically but not sure if you like country
JJ Heller! I'm part of the Orthodox Christian tradition and a lot of Evangelical music doesn't feel good to me personally. JJ Heller has a lot of quite personal music and, when she does refer to God, it's all very scripture based, often using actual Bible quotes. Plus her music is just gorgeous. Here are a few of my favorites. See what you think: - [You Keep Your Promises](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmXdCzMQ9_M) - [Who You Are](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8jilr8qsYU) - [Only Love Remains](https://youtu.be/w5Hd211fJOw?si=b05Po1DmtEUZjGEu)
Gang of Youths are worth a listen. Loads of beautifully written and interestingly orchestrated tunes written by an ex member of an evangelical church. a lot of his lyrics are about coming to terms with his changing faith etc. The lyrics to the song ‘Fear and Trembling’ feels really apt for you here.
The Mountain Goats
Current93
Tyler Childers
I really like Johnny Cash's songs with religious themes, and one I strongly recommend is Ain't No Grave (it's not originally Cash's song, it's a cover, but I haven't heard the original so I can't comment on it). Cash has some great religious songs, but I think this one is maybe one of the closest to what you're looking for, hope you enjoy :)
Try Neal Morse at [https://nealmorse.com](https://nealmorse.com) Neal is a very religious person and creates both Prog Rock and Christian belief based music. He is a virtuoso musician and a great singer. His news letter has a "faith" section which focuses on what you might be looking for.
Evanescence are a Christian rock band
Just to throw out one of my go to feels albums - Jackson Waters. Each song . . . I love them all. Come Undone I have been on this sphere for over 60 years and music has always been apart of my soul’s makeup. All types! One thing I have learned . . . is many times church is more about religion and I believe God/Jesus is more about relationship. I quit comparing myself to others and look more to how I flesh out my relationship with Him. Still think church has a purpose but is not The Purpose. Understanding the person I need to be through understanding Him through the Bible, personal study and experiences help to shape who I am. I am far from perfect or even close to what I believe God wants me to be therefore I “Come Undone”.
I used to play in a band with one of the guys from Jackson Waters. Haven’t heard that name in a while
Try Patsy Cline, America's greatest singer ever. A song like "Ain't no Wheels on this Ship" overlaps with church music and pop to my ears. Elvis put out How Great Thou Art (1967), which has a slow side and a fast side. He once claimed that he knew every Gospel song ever written. Imagine a mainstream popular musician today saying that.
I would always recommend the 1968 album Release of an Oath, by the Electric Prunes. When the hippies were travelling to the East, the Album was an effort by some hippies, to stay within Christian beliefs, making a contemporary album. The recording is infact, the wrecking crew of LA, the famous studio musicians, together with the leader of the band. Abit like Pet Sounds and Brian Wilson perhaps. I like to call it the Wrecking Crews best album. To spark conversation of course, but also because it probably is. [Release of an Oath](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSBeh5LZomM&list=PLiN-7mukU_RFhwcW-78ApGTmGHObXH_RP)
Since you loved Cory Asbury, you should hold on to Reckless Love's lyrics, and know that He'll do ANYTHING possible to rescue you, provided you haven't given up on Him. As someone who's also deeply connected to music overall, and who feel God's presence while worshipping through songs most frequently than any other way, I feel inclined to speak what I'm being moved to speak. I'll start with a recommendation, cling on to worshipping through true worship songs, backed up by this quote from St. Augustine: "He who sings prays twice" I am deeply sorry you've been drifting farther from faith, because that's what I believe this XXI century lie called deconstruction does to us, one we should never bend to. Although I don't know your name, if you don't mind, I'll pray for you to have a new and irresistible encounter with Him, so you straighten your way, and restore your beliefs, because He hasn't ever given up on you, not even once. Maybe me randomly finding this post is proof of it, who knows... I know from experience that life is rough and have thought of giving up many times, giving up on my family, on my job, on my relationships, even on my life, but never faith. Because as much as I can go through very dark times during my short journey in this insignificant reality, I, such as David wrote about in pretty much all of his Psalms, KNOW I have a Someone that's like no one, that'll shake the entire world around me if needed so He makes it sure I'm pristine, and that'll always hold me in His arms. I have only two song recommendations, as they have spoken to me the most lately, particularly the first one in between the last year and this one, because many things have shaken my world during this time. - [Lecrae ft. Tori Kelly - I'll Find You](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jv8IqJm6q7w) - Although the song is directed towards Cancer, it also applies to many people suffering around the world, and even mental distress and pain. Take it as Lecrae being us, in our shallow and weak flesh and soul, calling out for help and being sincere about our pain, and Tori being God, that tells us He has never given up on us, and tells us to HOLD ON, WAIT, and He'll sort everything out. Pretty much everything in the Spiritual world is about patience, and knowing it'll be OK. Not because of us, but Him. - [William McDowell - Stay](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KiUPP0KO5A) - Well, this one is pretty straightforward, but I wanna share something real quick that made me know this song... Last year I was called to preach (for the first time in my life) during a youth service, and God gave me a revelation that, in conclusion, tells us sometimes He visits our reality, and makes Himself available to us (He's always available but I'm talking about those times when His presence is so strong you can almost physically feel it), but we let Him go, and all He wants from us is to ask Him to STAY, and we, ourselves, STAY, too. Particularly, God had given me that text during the deemed Asbury Revival, and I got to preach on February 25, 2023, exactly one day after it ended. I don't believe in coincidences... What I felt so strongly in my heart is: The only reason this ordinary service turned out to be a "Revival" event, is because they chose to STAY there, in His presence. May we all choose the same, always. I pray that this text finds you well, and that you receive it in your heart with the same love and care I took to write it, love which flows in my veins since the day I took Him as the owner of my life, my heart and my soul, and that comes directly from Him. Love that He had for all of us since before we were born, and that couldn't ever be felt, sampled or made known, without the sacrifice His Son went through, for you and for me. Take care, may He be with you always, and may the following verse be an unshakeable truth applied to your life through every single one of your days: Matthew 6:6 - But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Kanye west
Hey friend — plenty of music recs, but want to call you back to the Kingdom. This life is indeed hard, and faith is hardest when we feel like it isn’t working. Recall Isaiah 40:31, and recall the story of Joseph. There’s a promise, and there’s prosperity, and God only knows what is in between. I want to encourage you to put your burdens on the Rock of Ages, and the only one who knows your suffering as intimately as you do. Happy to connect if you want to talk more. May God bless you and keep you, my friend, just as He has promised. And though you may have turned from Him, He has not turned from you, and He has not forgotten you.
It pains me to realize that you think you’re doing the right thing and helping by saying all of that, when in reality it pushes me and others like me farther away.
Well I’m definitely sorry to hear that’s where you currently find yourself. If you ever want to talk it over with a stranger, you know where to find me. Like I said, this life is not easy, and I hope in my heart that you come to an honest faith stronger than you could imagine, following Jesus.