I like almost every kind of music. If you were to browse my iTunes library or my iPod, you’d find everything from Classical to Pop to Jazz and almost everything in between. I’m not a fan of country per se, but I have a couple of country-ish songs somewhere in there. I’m not a fan of rap at all, and I think it’s probably the only genre that isn’t represented.

Since I started attending my current church, where Archie has been the worship leader, I have been exposed to a different kind of church music. The pipe organ and piano has been replaced with electric guitars, keyboards, violins and drums. I’ve picked on Archie about costing me money at iTunes because when he does a song I like — and there hasn’t been one I’ve heard him do so far that I didn’t — I will invariably end up adding it to my library. And I’ve also picked on him that I end up liking his version better than the original artists’, which is entirely true.

I decided I would list ten songs, many of which I’ve heard Archie perform, that are among my favorites when it comes to contemporary Christian music. If you’ve never heard them, go to iTunes and give the samples a listen. I’ve noted in parentheses the artists I listen to on iTunes; I don’t know whether these are the original artists or not.

1. “Marvelous Light” (by Charlie Hall) - This is the very first song I remember hearing Archie and the band perform and it’s a great one.

2. “Friend of God” (by Israel Houghton and Michael Gungor) - This particular song is one I like a lot, but by the time I got to this church, this song had apparently cycled out of the repertoire.

3. “The Stand” (by Hillsong United)

4. “Your Grace is Enough” (by Chris Tomlin)

5. “Sing to the King” (by Billy Foote) - The opening to this song doubles as the ringtone I’ve assigned to Archie. Seemed appropriate enough.

6. “When You Give” (by Mark Schultz)

7. “The Way That I Was Made” (by Chris Tomlin)

8. “Wonderful God” (by Ben Richter Band)

9. “Rescue” (by Jared Anderson)

10. “All I Need” (by Charlie Hall)

Some people probably will be shocked if they’re used to more “traditional” music. There’s nothing wrong with that, but if music with a faster pace can motivate people to get into the spirit in ways the slower tunes can’t, while still expressing the same message of a Loving God, I say let the music play.

When I work out at the gym, I often switch the old iPod to a playlist I have created with songs like these. The music is positive, the pace is upbeat, and it helps me find the motivation to keep pressing on when what I’d really like to do is go home and have a big helping of Doritos.