Cool Down with a Missionary's (mostly godly) Top Ten+ Songs for Summer 2010!

Cool Down with a Missionary's (mostly godly) Top Ten+ Songs for Summer 2010!

You can hear most of these on YouTube, although perhaps not by the original singer:

1) “And I” Mary Mary Feat. Kirk Franklin. This is my Jam!!! Just heard it recently. Total Gospel, nice jazzy/oldschool vibe. Of course a song by Kirk Franklin will be in #1. And with Mary Mary? Ya can't lose.

2) “No Looking Back” by Damita. I have gone through a lot of pain in my past. I have come a long way, but still there is farther still to go. Do you need to chill out? This song will keep you cool!

3) “Hear my prayer” by Sandra Van Opstal. Looking at a past which is filled with sometimes so much pain and brokenness, the evil one may attempt to drag you down into depression. But pain and sorrow can be a source of strength. Whenever we face pain, we should feel an increase in our hunger for God and turn to Him. Songs from URBANA '09 are practically all solid gold. Just buy the CD!

4) It's a tie, from the same CD! Classic smooth South African medley plus a dance vibe: “Hakuna Mungu Kama Wewe.” When I am down, this song never fails to encourage me: “I Have a Hope” by Tim Rathjen & Ryan Cook. From URBANA '09. Perfect song to follow #3.

5) “Take My Life/Holiness” by Micah Stampley. Reworked instant classic of one of my favorite hymns, and the only reason it's not higher is because I have heard it so many times. Live his song “War Cry” too!

6) “Sunshine Girl” by Moumoon. OK, this one only is not really gospel, it is Japanese pop (J-pop). But I like how I feel sunshine-y and bright on the inside after I listen to it, completely optimistic and hopeful.

7) “Mighty to Save” by Hillsong. One young man that I knew here in town, who played the guitar very well, died tragically in a car accident. When he led worship in his church, he loved this song. We sang it at his funeral and everybody cried buckets and buckets. This remains a very special song for me. Sometimes we forget about the wonder-working power of the Lord.

8) “From the Inside Out” by Hillsong. I want to love God more, each time I hear this song.

9) “Resurrection” by Nicol Sponberg. Ever new, ever touching. Not many songs you can listen to twenty times a day and still have a fresh experience.

10) “The Best in Me” by (Pastor) Marvin Sapp. This song is too emotional for me, that's why I can't listen to it that often. Pastor Sapp is a local gospel artist, who also makes powerful music which goes worldwide as well.

11) “Now Behold the Lamb” by Kirk Franklin. The final scene from the film entitled “The Gospel.” There is a version I have on CD without the talking on it, that's awesome. I have played it so much I feel a bit burned-out by it now, that is why it isn't a higher number.

12) “Imagine Me” by Kirk Franklin. Actually, this is probably one of the best gospel song written during my lifetime. Why #12 here? Well, again it is probably such an emotional song for me. It can bring you to tears, also make you overflow with joy when you think of how far the Lord has brought you, brought us to unbelievable victory through his undying, unbelievable, ever amazing grace.