Old School Music but lyrics still rock

As a Christian kid growing up in a church culture of rules and judgmental attitudes towards culture and personal preferences, rock music was off-limits and of the devil-even Christian rock. My parents, although not near as strict in this issues as many, forbid me to listen to it.

My friend Perry introduced me to Petra in 1985. I fell in love with the sound immediately. I had been exposed to rock music in friends cars and a little on TV, but because of my upbringing, I refused to enjoy it. But Petra allowed me to enjoy rock music with a clear conscience because it had a positive message and was "Christian."

Every now and then, I'll put a Petra song onto my iPod to listen to as I run. Although the sound is very dated, I can't help but marvel at the lyrics. Each song has an incredible message and even as a young teen I remember being impacted by the lyrics.

One song, "Computer Brains", which is very antiquated today due to the blaring synthesizer and cheesy sound effects, brought into view the power of thinking and the mind. If you would like to hear it, follow this link:

http://www.actionext.com/names_p/petra_lyrics/computer_brains.html

Here are the lyrics:

COMPUTER BRAINS
Words & Music by Bob Hartman
Everything that you do and see, one more event in your memory
Every bit takes another bite without control over wrong or right
You must screen every entry made, the consequences must be weighed
The only way to security is every thought in captivity
Computer Brains, put garbage in
Computer Brains, get garbage out
Computer Brains, programming you
Computer Brains, what can you do Break out
Are you a user or being used; has your memory been abused
Take random samples from your mind and analyze what you may find
You can clear all memory and be transformed when you find the key
Think on the things that will bring you peace, confusing data soon will cease

More to come on this topic...