Sometimes I'm astounded that music can have such a powerful effect on us. Our emotions can be aroused from the saddest, happiest, most despairing, most hopeful words. I've always had the greatest inspirations from the musical melodies or lyrics. I have had the best times while listening to music. Sometimes I can feel so happy or depressed because of a song that triggers memories. I think that's one of the reasons people in general love watching movies and TV so much: the soundtracks. I mean really. Admit it. We all get excited when we hear the "Pirates of the Caribbean" soundtrack. We all aspire at some point in our lives to become the next Judy Garland or Julie Andrews after watching "Mary Poppins" or any musical for that matter.  We all (or maybe this is just me because I'm weird) want to go on Broadway after listening to the soundtrack to "Les Mis" or "Phantom of the Opera".
                 That's why I think it's also so important to be guarded when listening to music. Now I'm not saying that all we should ever listen to is Christian artists, but I do think the primary thing to remember when jammin' to your favorite tunes is that it's all a matter of the heart. There's plenty of poplar music out there that's harmless. There's also plenty that has the potential to be harmful. The most important thing is to be honest with yourself. Ask yourself "Is this music making me think of things that are sinful or God-dishonoring?".  I'm also not saying that it's not okay to jam out to a Ke$ha song every once in a while, but is that all you listen to? or is that the kind of music you find  the most pleasure in? I know that personally those "drop the bass" songs get me so excited and worked up at school dances and I love partying and dancing all cray. But at the same time the songs that I really love and delight in are the songs that point out the central point of my life and existence: that I have been saved by the death of Christ and by that alone. If I understand that truth above all else I think that we have the freedom to listen to anything out there...remembering that as Paul says in 1st Cor. 10:23 "All things are lawful, but not all things are helpful". Discretion is key.