This is not meant to be a judgement on anyone at all but is totally aimed at me.
I've realized i've started making music an idol and have been convicted that I need to give up some of it. I've gone through and purged about 150 albums out of the collection and have focused on music that lyrically glorifies Jesus. This has nothing to do with doing something for Jesus but everything to do with doing it because of Jesus. Nothing should vie with him being number one in my life.
I also want balance, in this and to be careful not to view myself as being more spiritual because of this. I guess I want prayer for humbleness and wisdom. I share this as an encouragement. At 43 God is still cleaning my house and it hurts a little but i'm thankful for his care.

I think we all do this to a certain degree. I try to check out lyrics a lot more nowadays than I did 10 or even 5 years ago. I just don't want anything that I feel dishonors Christ in my music coolection. I like my music to truly be encouraging.

Ditto

I can't find anything with a musical "snarly" feel but a positive, uplifting message.

Anyone know King James equivalents?

I have walked away from music at times, just out of fear that I am too wrapped up in it, and not wrapped up enough in Jesus. I think that is a good thing for all of us to be concerned with.

I think before I got married that was the case with me, as i was buying music just for the sake of it but then i got married and as my cd buying had gone wayyyyyyy down and even now if i had job and money id only buy stuff I really wanted

Listening to music helps me to stop my thoughts.
The songs of some bands really are very encouraging for me. Those songs help me to feel better through the uplifting lyrics.
I dive into reading the lyrics more.

Yeah, music can be a helpful tool. Like anything, it can be overdone.

I really like playing the bass. Pray that I don't make it more important than the One who made music!

That's in your hands too DBF.

Literally in my hands… I have gigantic blisters on them from last night. I jammed good though.

Music is part of our make-up.

As far as the collecting and getting excited over a new release... I could take it or leave it. I've been through the OCD periods where I had to put it down for a while and seek more of His Kingdom than the music that's made for Him. But I'm at a point in my walk where music's not as important as Jesus. I see music as a gift for us children to enjoy, like so many other gifts He blesses us with.

Any enjoyable gift from our Father has the potential of taking our focus off of Him, but that's our fault, not the gift's fault (or the Giver's fault).

Fundy- all of mine are in a storage unit (bout 700-800)

I too have to be careful with this. I have probably @1000 discs/collections of MP3s. Lately I have been on a major DVD kick, buying them used and cheap.

+1 (or +2 actually)

Like an addict getting his fix is pretty true. I appreciate the thoughtful and respectfull responses. Might not have been so on another board i've heard of.