A Review Of My Favorite Songs By Petra

When I made a choice to live according to the Gospel of the New Testament, which is to dedicate my life to Jesus Christ, I loved the fact that Music was a major part of worship. I started listening to Petra when I was attending a Youth Fellowship every Friday night back in 1984. The fellowship, called POWERHOUSE, was really a worship service for teens and twenties to enjoy. There were older people there, too, who appreciated being around young people and wanted to make a difference in their lives.

I had already made a decision to follow Christ in 1978, but I was hungry for fellowship and the music. I liked Petra not just because of their style of music but what the lyrical message was. It was just recently that I was able to listen to Petra music, and enjoy the nostalgia of my earlier musical tastes, (Back in the 1980's all the Christian music I had were either on long playing records or cassette tapes). It is great to now have them on CD.

When doing a little research on my favorite music group Petra, I found out that the members of the group have changed several times in four decades. When I listened to them, Greg X. Volz was the lead singer. My favorite songs are originally heard from the albums, Beat The System(1985), and Not of this World (1983). When Greg X. Volz left the band in 1986 and then John Schlitt took his place in the lead vocals.

The Message that Songs by the group PETRA Convey

When creating my Petra Music playlist I arranged the songs in the order to the lyrical message that represents how I would share my Witness to others, as if I could find Petra music as a tool in teaching others about Jesus Christ. The songs are ready to appeal to anyone who likes the style of The Eagles, Lynard Skynard, Foriegner, Styx or Journey (as stated in Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia). I have always been flexible to listen to any genre especially when the Message is of Jesus Christ. There are music groups out there now professional and amateur that say that they are Christian but really do not compare to the Pioneers of Christian Rock. Petra is definitely a Pioneer, originally formed by Bob Hartman, Greg Hough, John Degroff and Bill Glover in 1972.(stated in Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia).

My first song on the playlist, is called Creed. (From the album, Beyond Belief) Creed lyrics state what I believe in. It represents Purpose in His Word.

"I believe in God the Father, the maker of Heaven and Earth.And in Jesus Christ, His only son, I believe in the Virgin Birth. I believe in the Man of Sorrows who was bruised for iniquities, I believe in the Lamb that was crucified, and hung between two thieves. I believe in the resurrection on the third and glorious day; and I believe in the empty tomb, and the stone that the angel rolled away."

The second favorite song in my Petra playlist is called First Love. Here are some of the Lyrics by Bob Hartman. It is based on Revelations 2:9,1 John 4:19, and Song of Solomon 2:4. This song still hits me hard because it reminds me of all the struggles I have been through in my life and how the Lord has convicted me to believe in Him.

"Some times I feel that I've been pulled in all the wrong directions. Sometimes I feel the world seducing my affections. Its not that I don't know the way, its just a heart that's prone to stray, But as my weaknesses admitted, you will keep all that I committed, so I will commit my heart to You, My First Love. First Love, first love , my Soul longs after You..."

The next song on my playlist of favorite Petra music, is called Thankful Heart. Its title speaks for itself. All the joy, satisfaction, and even all the struggles I have gone through in my life gives me reason to give God thanks. It is because He deserves the glory in it all. The lyrics of this song says it all. And according to the Word in the Bible, giving the Father thanks and praise is what He wants us to do in order to receive Him through Jesus Christ's Name. This song emphasizes that by offering Jesus a thankful heart, it is enough because of what He did for us on this earth.

" I have a Thankful Heart, that you have given me. And it can only come from You..."

One other song on that I have on my Petra playlist that I wish to share with you is the song called Strong Convictions. This is a more powerful lyric with even a more powerful Rock edge. And the last verse says it all.

"Pressure makes a perfect diamond , measure of the saints refining. Don't ever want to stray.I really want to stay steadfast and immovable in Him."

So, therefore, you see what is important to me in the Petra Lyrics. I wanted to show to the younger readers hear who have never heard the group Petra, especially their earlier music how the goal that they have is to draw the audience to Jesus Christ.

HOW ACCEPTING SALVATION THROUGH MUSIC WORKS

Gospel in Christian oriented music offers the opportunity for the listener to make a decision in what to believe. As I am a writer, I only want to convey an interest, and it is up to the reader how they apply what they read to their daily life. As a Minister in my Faith, I have a call to intercede for others in prayer, as God wants us to love one another by supporting each other. And as an amateur musician and lyricist myself, I have a goal to convey the message that the Holy Bible offers.

I do admire the success of the Christian Artists I listen to, and the world does a really great job in recognizing their talents and their musical gifts, through the media and by rewarding them with Awards through ceremony and billboard posts. The message in their music is what has convicted me to a new Way in life. The message to live by in the Word of God is voiced in what I listen to. My wish for others to hear what I hear is the same; this world needs more believers. Music is a great way to bring the Almighty into living a better life.