So right before I left for Africa, I got an email from a friend of a friend (well, actually a friend of two friends) who just so happened to have some extra tickets for Winter Jam. Since I am almost always game for any sort of Live Music Event, I took Brody up on his kind offer and asked my sweet friend Elon if she wanted to join me.
Because, you see, Mercy Me was performing. And Elon’s a bit of a Mercy Me fan. And furthermore, she is also quite kicky and fun.
The concert was at our civic center, which is downtown, and as I have mentioned before, I am a hapless downtown driver. I don’t know where anything is, plus I get the streets mixed up, and so about four minutes before E. and I were supposed to be at the civic center, I called Brody and said, “I’m driving around in circles. I have no idea where to go. How am I supposed to park? I don’t know where to park. Did I mention that I have no idea where I’m going?”
Remarkably, I was able to park without incident (aye, and close to the arena, ohthankyouBrody), and since Brody shared some fayn-cee tickets with us, we were able to spend a chunk of our before-the-show time in an area with all the talented people who play and sing all the music.
And in case you were wondering: the few times I’ve ever been in a situation like that, I always halfway expect for someone to throw me out, and OH, it makes for some lovely, rambling conversation on my part, much like what you’re enduring right now, so you can imagine what a special treat it was for the talented people to had to put up with the likes of me on that particular evening.
Anyhoo.
Let’s talk about the show, shall we?
So this is Elon and me once we found our seats.
And I show you that picture in order to illustrate the fact that MY NOGGIN, IT IS GINORMOUS.
Seriously. I think it could win a contest or something.
We hadn’t been in our seats more than five minutes before it dawned on me that just about every single teenager in attendance was using his or her cell phone; they were texting and taking pictures and texting some more, and it dawned on me that I should, like, TOTALLY text a couple of my friends to tell them that I was, like, AT A CONCERT AND ALL, so I opened my phone and spent the next five minutes trying to find the letters for, “Hey. Listening to NewSong sing “Arise My Love.” It’s taking me RIGHT BACK to 1993.”
But I only got as far as “Hey. List…” before I gave up altogether because the texting, IT IS EXHAUSTING.
Sweet mercy I don’t know how the youngsters do it.
So for the next thirty or forty-five minutes E. and I were clapping and singing and whathaveyou, and about that time Brody walked over and told us that a band named Skillet was getting ready to take the stage.
“Skillet?” I replied. “Who is this band they call Skillet?”
I mean, I like to think I’m sort of up-to-speed with the Christian music scene, but the Skillet, they have not been on my radar.
Y’all.
E. and I were standing off to the side of the stage when Skillet started their show or their set or whatever the lingo is, and when I tell you that SOME FIRE SHOT UP OUT OF SOME SORT OF CONTAINER ON THE STAGE AND I SCREAMED, I am not kidding. There was smoke and there was fire and there were explosive-type noises, and the teenagers were TOTALLY INTO IT and formed some sort of Mosh Pit For Jesus,TM and I have never in my life seen worship quite like it and IT. WAS. AWESOME.
Granted, I was a tiny bit afeared that my eardrums were going to need to be anointed with some oil before the night was over, but still. IT. WAS. AWESOME.
One of the unexpected highlights of the night – for me, at least – was seeing Connersvine. I’d only heard one of their songs before the show, but they are right up my musical alley: heavy on the acoustic guitar and Thoughtful Lyrics, and I really, really liked them. There was no Mosh Pit For JesusTM when they performed, but that is understandable since it is often difficult to rave while listening to an acoustic guitar.
The guys from Mercy Me closed out the night, and as I listened to them sing “Word of God Speak,” I looked around that arena and saw about 8,000 people singing in unison. All ages, all races, all denominations. And I took a little mental picture. Because even though I didn’t anticipate it before I went to the concert, the whole night really helped to prepare my heart and my mind for the Africa trip. The timing was perfect.
So thanks, Brody, for the way cool tickets. And thanks to all the way cool bands that performed: Newsong, Skillet, BarlowGirl, Connersvine, Mercy Me – what an incredible night-o-worship.
And finally, internets, I wonder: has there ever been a concert – and it doesn’t have to be Christian music, ohmyword, because I have had some Major Life Moments while sitting in an outdoor arena and listening to James Taylor – that hit you just at the right time? Or is there a CD that you go back to over and over again when you’re Dealing With Stuff? Or when you need some musical encouragement?
Can’t wait to read your comments.
For ages and ages and actually still – Amy Grant is my “go to gal”. But seriously BooMaMa my new favorite CD is Skinny Songs. The best song – Blowin You Off at 8 and Skinny Jeans!!!
Listening to Phillips, Craig & Dean always seems to get me in a worshipful mood. I really love their song “Awake My Soul”. When we sing it in our church I can really feel the Holy Spirit moving.
Concerts….not really. I’ve not been to many concerts since my teen years that were *ahem* 15-20 years ago (gasp).
Music….absolutely. I have an entire playlist on my iPod that is devoted to “music that helps dig me out of the pit”. Mostly just worship of any sort does that for me. It causes me to refocus off my stuff and put my eyes on HIM….works every time I tell ya! I call it my reset button!
And….Skillet rocks!
Bethany Dillon = You Are On Our Side.
Totally with you on the texting thing. Don’t think it was made for the likes of me.
Could just so see you screaming when the smoke started billowing . . . and Skillet . . . hee, hee. Always have loved that name. I’m thinking of startin’ Wok and the Fried Rice myself ; )
Love most anything Casting Crowns does, but an oldie that I love to drag out in a time of crisis is “Life is Hard, But God is Good” by Pam Thum. This song pummels my heart each and every single time I’ve ever heard it. OK, now I need to go listen to it.
Love your sweet face, Sophie. So glad you had such a great time!
There are too many songs that just speak to me. I would be here for-evah trying to list it.
We love us some Skillet. They are better live than their CD if that’s possilbe. We are going to see them in concert next weekend with Thousand Foot Krutch. And my ears will need some of that anointing oil.
Three songs do it for me:
Blessed be your name by Tree 63. Because it says it all – I’ll say Blessed be your name in blessings and in trial.
Untitled Hymn (Come to Jesus) by Christ Rice. Because it gives me goosebumps and brings tears to my eyes, and I can’t wait to run to Jesus!
How Great Thou Art. Because it is just the most awesome song of praise every.
Love the new look!
I’m so jealous! I was THIS CLOSE to going and seeing my girl Mandisa! I went to the WinterJam blog a few times and there were SO many comments about Skillet! I’ll have to check them out.
Truly, one CD I’ve been turning back to is John Waller. And where did I get that CD?! YOU! Thanks, girl!!
Oh look! What a cute signature at the bottom of this page. Adorable.
YES! I found a SuperChicks album that just really spoke to me after my husband left. There is one song about how I just woke up to my own life, and it made me realize just how much I had gained, even in the loss.
My family went to see Jeremy Camp and TobyMac this weekend. Jeremy restores my soul and Toby makes my whole family get their “groove on”
A couple of years ago this old woman took about 12 teens from church to Winter Jam.
You’re right. It! Was! Awesome! People! Jesus is ALIVE within the hearts of so many of our teens. It blows me away yet to think about it. Oh yeah…one of the teens we took that has been called to be a minister. I can’t wait for her first sermon!
The best and most moving concert I’ve ever been to was Stephen Curtis Chapman, Chris Tomlin, and Casting Crowns together about 5 years ago or so. I have been to the Alive Music Festival every year for the past 4 years and I went to the Ichthus Music Festival from 2001-2006. So I’ve seen a lot of great bands, but that was the ultimate.
My bestest friend Paula was fighting breast cancer. Paula was a worship crazy girl if ever I knew one. She was a full on hands in the air over her bald head/singing at the top of her lungs/down on your face WORSHIPER!!! Her favorite song in the world was “The Wonderful Cross” And somewhere – not sure who – we saw someone sing it in concert. All I remember is the fact that WATCHING her worship that night was worship in itself.
In June of 2004 her battle ended. But before it did (or as it did) we gathered in her hospital room and worshiped by her side. She had been sedated 6 days earlier and had never woken up, but we knew that if there was ANY way at all, she would be worshiping with us.
We knew it was the end, she had been taken off all forms of life support, so we were sending her off to Heaven in the style she had requested.
Once everyone was there we began to sing The Wonderful Cross. Let me tell you, I could hardly contain myself. I was sad for me, but soooooooo excited for her to be going to Heaven! And as we sang the line “Oh the wonderful Cross, bids me come and die and find that I might truly live”, my sweet friend went on to ETERNAL life. I held her head in my arms as she took her last breaths.
An hour later I got a voice mail signal on my cell phone. It had never rang, there were no missed calls and I don’t even know if that phone was with me when the message came in. What I heard was all of us singing that song, and as we got to THAT line, the sound of our voices began to fade into silence. I am not a wacko or into supernatural stuff, but I AM into MIRACLES and I truly believe that this was God letting my BFF say goodbye to me.
I know this was long, but I HAD to leave in the details!
God Bless!!!
Becky Jo
Well, obviously, our mutual pretend-BFF, Nichole Nordeman. The Woven and Spun album has all kinds of memories and “deep thinks” attached to it. I listened to it so much while I was on bedrest with the twins that I’m pretty sure they recognize it because they go still when it comes on. (And for four year old boys, you know that’s an accomplishment.)
Hey there friend, well, let me just say that your story is funny, but so real and honest I have to smile… LOVE. THE. NEW. LAYOUT. BTW… Funny stuff about the Moshing… One of my girls is so into it and the music. I must say that Kutless’ song, “Take Me Into the Holy of Holies…” I don’t know if that is the song, but those are the words… OH. MY. My whole body just comes alive as I sing that song and my heart breaks at the realization of that kind of intimacy with GOD! It just so moves my spirit, my soul and my body all at the same time! I am really there. I heard it on the way to church and it so put me in the mood for worship.
Now imagine this… our church has a wonderfully anointed and talented group of musicians and singers – Gateway Church – they have released a widely sold CD called “Living For You.” I know that Lifeway has carried it in the past… not sure about now. Anyway – they are on the integrity label. They write much of our worship music and what they don’t write they sing with power, with hearts turned toward God and with eyes turned toward heaven! It is an amazing Spirit-filled time each week – I, with my nearing 40 year old self, and my somewhere just over 200 lbs., and my somewhere over a DD size bra cup (sorry if that is TMI) but I just want you to understand what inhibitions I let go of when I am in the midst of worship. I fall to my knees, (knees that don’t kneel or work right after two surgeries but always seem a little more healed after bowing before the Lord), I bend back almost 90 degrees with my arms thrown wide as I sing and bask in God’s glory (with a back that has a dry disc at L5 and a herniated disc at L4 and once put me in bed for two months. A back that rarely if ever hurts me anymore and has required no treatment in years! Did I say years… yes I did! And sometimes I just have to jump – up and down – not quite moshing but bouncing might be a better word for it! And well I have been able to do so with little embarassment to myself and little danger to other people which always was a consideration before the liberating worship experiences I have had at my church! So yes… I know what you mean. I take a mental picture of all the people worshipping God around me and think WOW! God you totally knew my heart when you brought us here. It gives whole new meaning to worshipping in Spirit and in Truth.
Blessings.
P. S. Having teens and the alternative Christian rock going in my car at almost any given moment… Yes I know who Skillet is. I actually bought a cd of theirs several years ago – and no lie -the fire on the stage was nothing compared to the snake I saw on the cover of that CD… the only assurance I had that they were Christian was the label, the store and the words in the jacket cover… but when they are not totally rocking out – they can praise like nobody’s business! And so I am sold on Skillet… though I wonder about the name. LOL!
I had a similar experience recently when I went to see Newsboys on their Go Tour. That concert totally rocked out loud (well, ALL concerts are out loud, but you know what I mean). I wasn’t tempted to throw my panties or anything like I was at the Harry Connick, Jr. concert, but I was totally blown away by the thousands of people praising God together. It is an experience I will never, ever forget!
connersvine came to our church here in indiana last year right after the colts won the superbowl. can you say “hyped?” :)
Dating myself here, Sistah Boo, and I don’t mean I’m taking myself out to dinner and a movie.
Keith Green, the late and great, has been high on my list for about as long as you’ve been alive.
We old, decrepit fat women are set in our ways sometimes, Praise Jesus!
I met my husband to be at a Jimmy Buffett concert! Good times!
First, I have to say “You go girl!” I love going to concerts. And now that I have kids, I can buy tickets to them without feeling weird about doing so at my age. “It’s for the kids, dear, really.”
Two albums come to mind….Mercy Me’s ‘coming up to breathe’ album and Jennifer Knapp’s last album. By the way, if you love acoustic guitar, then give her music a try. I think you would enjoy it.
I can’t really give specifics, but the songs happen to be what I needed to hear at the time. It was God’s little way of saying “your not alone….”
Newsboys Go tour! Completely fabulous experience! We took my son to this for his 11 birthday last week! Newsboys put on a great show and the crowd was totally into the worship!
This was a great “First Concert” experience for him.
I recently got to see Casting Crowns lead worship. It was a concert but not a concert. We all walked away feeling like we had been to the BEST worship service ever!! It was awesome!
Mark Harris has a calming effect on me. When I was pregnant I dealt with high blood pressure. If I listened (blasted) the Mark Harris album on the way to the dr. appointment, my blood pressure was fine. If I did not it was high!! So funny!
Glad you had such a good time. I will let the Connersvine guys know they get the “BooMama acoustic stamp of approval”.
Phillips, Craig and Dean – “Let the Worshippers Arise” Mmm good–and anointed–and timely!
PS Chris starts his job on next Monday. Yay God! He always provides just in time–and He just did it again this morning!! Woohoo God! We shall not live in a box with a fox on a train in the rain.
Also PS–your face? It is lovely. nuf said!
Hands down, the concert that impacted me the most: Bon Jovi, London, June 2005.
Now, I was a teenager in New Jersey in the mid-80s, and had not been a big fan. They were fine, but I wasn’t crazy about them like my friends were. I was in London in 2005 for work, and a girlfriend got us tickets. Free concert? Sure, why not.
Sitting in the field, really listening to them for the first time in forever, I was so hit by their lyrics. Specifically “It’s my life”:
It’s my life
It’s now or never
I ain’t gonna live for ever
I just wanna live while I’m alive
And “Have a Nice Day”:
Ohhh, if there’s one thing I hang onto,
That gets me through the night.
I ain’t gonna do what I don’t want to,
I’m gonna live my life.
And it kind of hit me: I wasn’t really living life. I was coasting through it, being passive and complacent; I wasn’t actively living life. Unacceptable.
Then I heard “Talk with George” by the amazing Jonathan Coulton, and had a pretty primal reaction to:
Don’t live another day unless you make it count
There’s someone else that you’re supposed to be
There’s something deep inside of you that still wants out
And shame on you if you don’t set it free.
Soooo, basically, I knew something had to be done. This January I sold my house, in February I bought a car, and in March I hit the road, searching for the meaning of life and my place in the world.
Thanks, Bon Jovi and JoCo!!
Every time I go to a Steven Curtis Chapman concert, it’s one of the highlights of that particular year. He does such a great combination of fun, spirited rock-and-roll with thoughtful, truthful worship. I dance my rear end off.
No explosions though. Darn.
First, BeckyJo~~ brought tears to my eyes and I can hardly type. That was an awesome thing you shared…
Second~ My all time favorite artist, the one that inspires and encourages me is Jim Brickman. There is just something about his music that drives me straight to my piano which is where I feel closest to the Lord..
I was going to say something not-so-profound until I read Becky Jo’s comment.
I’m not sure I can go on with my day now-What an amazing story!
The one song that gets me every.time. is Amazing Grace, any artist, any version.
Now, this will date me…..however: The most beautiful, worshipful concert I ever went to in my almost 30 years as a Christian was when I was in college in Lakeland, Florida. There is a huge church there (Carpenter’s Home Church) and they always had big free Christmas concerts.
This particular year featured Handel’s “Messiah” , and the artists performing were 4-Him and Michael English (pre-scandal). OH MY WORD…….they were so anointed, so talented, I was just waiting for Jesus to appear from the heavens. I have goose bumps just remembering it. I spent the entire night on my knees, bawling like a baby, the presence of God was so thick you couldn’t breathe.
One little extra blessing, Michael English sang “Mary did you know?”, it was his first time performing it in public and it hadn’t even been released it. W.O.W.
Sing Over Me – Worship Songs and Lullabies is supposed to be a cd for our sweet little ones. BUT. It’s my favorite worship cd and has been for the past year at least…for reflection, refocusing, regrouping. Nichole Nordeman, Bethany Dillon, Christy Nockels, etc. etc. It’s beautiful…worshipful.
I went to the same SC Chapman, Chris Tomlin, Casting Crowns concert tour someone mentioned above…it was our oldest dd’s first real concert and it was incredible to worship in that way with her. Memories…
J
If you like powerful, thought provoking lyrics check out Nichole Nordeman.
All her stuff is good, but my favorite albums are “this mystery” and “woven & spun”
I’m telling you, her songs are GGGGGRRRRREAT!
And another great song that I completely get lost in the words and just want to shout them as my life’s song is:
In Christ Alone my hope is found (it is very hymn like) but the words are so wonderful, wonderful, wonderful.
Every Steven Curtis Chapman concert I’ve been to (I’ve been to 5). His concerts are always such worshipful experiences, and I leave feeling so refreshed and encouraged. I’m way overdue for a Steven concert.
Give me a little Third Day and I’m in another atmosphere. Love me some Chris Tomlin, too.
I remember being completely bowled over as a teenager when Alanis Morisette brought out Jagged Little Pill. It became the soundtrack to my angst filled life for many years.
Later she brought it out again only this time she changed it to a gentle, acoustic version which was lovely and soft (she had recently fallen in love and been married) and it fit my life perfectly again!
Amy
I cannot BELIEVE you said “James Taylor at an outdoor arena” because that was right on the tip of my tongue. Hearing him sing “Gone to Carolina In My Mind” live, out under the stars, while I held hands with my sweet husband, well, that cracked my little soul wide open (in a good way.) Also, my FIRST concert ever, which I went to with all my BFFs at around 16, was Amy Grant. Even now, when I listen to her CD “The Collection,” and particularly, “All I Ever Have to Be” – it just makes me SO GLAD I belong to Him. So Glad.
First of all, I am coveting your concert savoir-faire. Can I move in next door to you and just jump into your purse before you head out to another one? Seriously. I might even fit, if you don’t mind carrying a little extra weight…
My go-tos for the past few years has been:
Lifehouse: I love their style, their talent and the music written from the heart. And they sound completely like their recordings in concert, except they’re live because you can hear differences in the words and sounds, so you know it’s not a recording. I’ve had the honor of seeing them live twice and each time they reiterated their talent (which they credit to God) and reminded me that music can be great without all the fluff and frills. And they kept their clothes on the whole time. Woo hoo.
Norah Jones: This is one talented woman with a gift for jazz, sultry offerings and uncomplicated beats. Jones and her two other band members are single-handedly bring back the love of jazz and blues. They give a relaxing, yet, enthusiastic concerts. I’ve seen her live twice and I would pay to see her a third time. And I’ve thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated each of her albums as they’ve been released.
U2: Here is one band who knows what it means to remain themselves in the flow of the musical evolution. The music that they produced in the 80’s is just as applicable, just as defined, just as eloquent and just as enjoyable as the music that they’ve produced over the last 30 years. (30 YEARS – man I’m old.) Their music has a huge unknown nod to God as Bono is Christian who wants to use his skills for good in the secular world. And no, I’ve never seen them. I’m not that rich. But I can appreciate them from afar, but if I ever win the lottery, before giving most of the funds away, one of the few things I will do for myself and all my friends is to get us all front row tickets to one of their concerts.
Sometimes I get a yearning for some 80’s music. Going back and hearing the Go Go’s, a-ha, Johnny Hates Jazz, Erasure, The Police, Rick Springfield, The Cars, Bananarama, The Bangles, Genesis, Huey Lewis and the News, Janet Jackson, Lionel Ritchie, Talking Heads, Tears for Fear, Simple Minds, The Pretenders, Cyndi Lauper… these and many more take me back to a time where life was much more simple and carefree. Somedays I need those memories.
(A teen tried to get me to text yesterday. Even with the iTAP system, it took me 5 minutes to type out something really simple! I’d rather call, which considering I’m not a phone person says a lot!)
When I’m Dealing With Stuff (ha–like now, maybe?), it might depend on the Stuff, but I often end up turning on The Kry’s “Take My Hand and Walk” or “He Won’t Let You Go,” along with Jeremy Camp’s “Walk By Faith” and “I Still Believe.”
But my current Song of the week is older than any of those. I’ve had Amy Grant’s old “Arms of Love” on repeat for much of the past two weeks.
I’m so thankful that our Lord gave us music to minister to us when spoken words aren’t always enough…
Phillips, Craig and Dean are my favorite (family there, so I’m a bit partial)and Selah, yep, they’re great.
We’re going to a Selah concert on Good Friday, what a way to celebrate this Easter season! Can’t wait!
Does it mean I’m old that I would rather hear acoustic guitar then Skillet and fire and that I get so frustrated trying to text because I’m so slow it takes me 30 minutes to type one sentence????
I’ve had a tough couple of weeks so this weekend I loaded up every David Crowder and Mercy me song we owned in my ipod and I have been listening non stop at work. Next I’m adding my Travis Cottrell CD (because it makes me happy) and Hillsong on and I just have a worship service all day long at my desk! I can’t tell you how much my perspective changes when I’m praising God through song all day.
I loved this post :) It was funny and exciting and touching and happy and I enjoyed it. As for concerts, I’ve not been to many as there aren’t alot of big names that come to Nova Scotia very often. I got to see the Dixie Chicks which were by far the most famous people I’ve seen round these parts! And they put on a GOOD show too. I’ve seen some great Canadian/local Christian artists that make you want stand up and praise. And as for CD’s, no lie, Glory Revealed does it for my anytime I need me a little spiritual uplifting…which is alot these days whilst I fight the nasty “morning” sickness. I do not enjoy “morning” sickness.
Personal favorite Christian song of all time (besides Amazing Grace, How Great Thou Art and The Old Rugged Cross) is “He Rolled the Stone Away” by A Capella.
Around two years ago…Third Day and David Crowder…my best buds saw my ugly cry it was such a beautiful night of worship!
Of course one can never go wrong with some Third Day and DC*B :o)
Actually the best concerts I went to were in my pre-Christian college days. I don’t know if I should mention the bands because you may think badly of me … OK, here they are … Motley Crue (don’t judge me … it was a long time ago), and the best was Bon Jovi (2 times). Best Christian concert – Out of the Grey. Now, I did take my daughters to see Hannah Montana with EverLife and the Jonas Brothers and I must say I quite enjoyed it. My oldest asked me to sit down and stop singing at one point. What does she know!
Oh Boomama, the “mosh pit for Jesus” had me laughing so hard I was snorting. And that is NOT pretty. My concert? Hands down, Third Day. All I can say is all out worship!
Jack Johnson.
There’s a song… Dreams Be Dreams.
Beautiful.
I love the David Crowder Band!
Just adore the new header and sidebar!
A few months after I gave my life to Jesus, 15 people from our young adults group headed to Cornerstone, a 5 day outside-camping-christian music extravaganza in Illinois or Indiana. I had given up up my 11 Prince CDs (there were tears…) and I was looking for new music. I got totally pumped up listening to ska bands(it was cool then~I promise!) and said a swear. A BAD ONE. LOUD. My friends were shocked and a little embarrassed. That’s why I don’t go to concerts. I fear I may revert once again. Right now, I’ve been listening to David Crowders A COLLISION. Life’s been kinda rough this past year and I find myself worshipping, crying, and dancing to this CD. I also enjoy Jason Uptons FAITH cd.
Thanks for letting me share :)
Jennifer Knapp’s “Kansas” album got me at the right place at the right time.
Nicole Nordeman’s greatest hits. It’s all I need for a lift or an encouraging word. Her lyrics ROCK. I listen to it while I clean the house.
There’s all these great comments on concerts and lyrics and I came away with this: The picture was too cute and your noggin is not too big. That makes me shallow and vapid doesn’t it?
And your new look is too cute!!
David Crowder, Third Day, and Jeremy Camp not only pull me out of any “funk” I find myself in, but I walk faster and sometimes even run on the treadmill when I am listening to them on the MP3 player! Now, that is miraculous!
We just went to the Toby Mac/Jeremy Camp/ Matthew West concert a few weeks ago and I’m right there with you on the texting thing! Why don’t they just talk on their phones??!
Just so you know, my cranium is sooooo much more ginormouser than yours. I would so win a “Ginormous Head” competition as I come from a long line of people with enormous noggins.
On the concert front, I don’t do many of them any more. But, I have teens that do and the stories they have told me about mosh pits…
Stephen Curtis Chapman – song: His Strength Is Perfect.
Love the ginormous head pic!
Well, as the last couple of months have been Break-Up Time For Most Of The Starlite Girls, all our copies of Mandy Moore’s “Wild Hope” are pretty much worn out.
Laura Woodley is pretty great as well. I’m just sayin’.
I do love Skillet–I’ve seen them several times and it is hard to hear for a few days after:)
My all-time faves though are probably Amy Grant and James Taylor (I would LOVE to see him live!).
One of my new faves is Sara Groves–she is really awesome!
One of the best concerts I’ve ever been to though has got to be The Eagles–it was just amazing!
ok, so I love me some Jesus Music more or just as much as the rest of them — I love Third Day and Mercy Me especially, they are great :-) BUT, as far as CD’s are concerned that are not spiritual (for me, anyway, I can’t promise about other chicas out there!) is John Mayer’s “Continuum”. Run, do not walk to get this CD and I can promise that you’ll love it to pieces.
I have a favorite pick-me-up cd – it’s called Edge of Worship. Worship songs with, well, more of an egde. ;) The first song is the most amazing arrangement of Open the Eyes of My Heart.
OH – and…. LOVE THE NEW LOOK!! =)
Um, off topic, but whenever you use the TM thingy it messes up the spacing on my old xp and squeezes two lines together so I can’t read them. So much as I love the Fundana TM, I don’t like missing even one line of your blog!
On a musical note, this is the time of year I miss my dad the most, and right now I’m crying (the good kind that you need to do) and listening to Crystal Shawanda sing You Can Let Go. You can listen to it on her MySpace.
“The concert was at our civic center, which is downtown, and as I have mentioned before, I am a hapless downtown driver.”
I visited your town on a busines trip once and stayed at an old hotel downtown that rhymes with The Rutmiler. For three days I had to dodge rush hour traffic in my rented Nissan. It was no fun.
Kudos to you for getting to your destination!
One year my hubby and I went to a benefit concert for the Christian school where Steven Curtis Chapman’s kids went. We saw Plumb, Third Day, Out of Eden, Chris Rice, and, of course, Steven Curtis Chapman. It was a gorgeous night and we sat on a blanket and listened to hours and hours of amazing music. When Third Day performed, they had just heard of Rich Mullins’ death. They announced it, and I cried because Rich had and still does get me through the hardest times of my life….”Hold Me, Jesus”, “We Are Not as Strong As We Think We Are”. Mac Powell led the crowd in an impromptu medley of Rich Mullins songs and it was….I just can’t explain how wonderful it was.
Hey! This is Hunter Smith from Connersvine. So glad you enjoyed the show. We love glorifying God through music and had a wonderful time on Winterjam this year. We are so glad you were there! I think one of the most meaningful moments for me at a concert was when I was out “road pastoring” for Third Day several years ago. My father had just gotten saved at the age of 62 and those guys had just released the song “I’ve Always Loved You”. Everytime I heard the song it was as though I could see Jesus singing it to my dad. As though even after all the years of running and turning away God was still there saying to my dad “Don’t you know I’ve always loved you………and I always will”. The last night of the tour Mac Powell, who knew the song was very special to me for this reason, dedicated it to me from the stage. It was a special moment. Someone who cared for me dedicating a song about a God who cares about people without condition. Even my 62 year old dad. What a wonderful God.
Casting Crowns with Building 429. Wow. And Shane & Shane with Shawn McDonald and Phil Wickham. Talk about a worship experience!
hello! I found you on another blog roll. I’ve read through a few pages of your blog entries and I’ve laughed til I nearly choked and now I must force myself to go to sleep as the morning comes too soon. But I wanted to let you know I was here, and I look forward to reading more of your lively blog. Thanks for ending my day on a humorous note! :)
I love Kathy Troccoli’s Draw Me Close CD. I listen to her and Shane & Shane when I’m feeling down.
Oh yes, oh yes. Ginny Owens’ song “If You Want Me To.” Many a tear has been shed to that song on repeat. It really has helped give me perspective in some tough times. The version on A Night in Rocketown cd is the best.
Oh my, I know what you mean about the loud. I just took my kids to the “Boomin’ Beyond Measure” concert with Jeremy Camp and tobyMac. The bass was so pounding you could feel it in your heart! But it is worth the hearing loss to see your kids rock out to Jesus music and to see the musicians rock out and then pause to read scripture. Very Cool!
On a more personal note: Two instances come to mind of when music really touched me. The first was Nicole C Mullen’s CD “Talk About It”. The song, “Call on Jesus” carried me through the horror of the 9-11 events. It was just the perfect CD to get me through a period in my life when I was truly realizing how much I needed to rely fully on God.
The second was when I attended a “Just Give Me Jesus” event by Anne Graham Lotz. Fernando Ortega did all the worship music that weekend. During that time in our lives, my young daughter was having trouble with night terrors and lots of sleep issues. When Fernando sang “Jesus, King of Angels”, it was like a message from heaven. I bought the CD and played it in her room every night. It truly helped and brought much more nighttime peace to both of us.
Oh, I have been some amazing concerts. However, the one that ALWAYS gets me is the Women of Faith. To look across the arena and see thousands of women praising Jesus, I have to say it is the most humbling and amazing thing in the world. I have been to the conference many times, but once about 5 years ago. I stopped and listened and watched the women all around, and I was brought to tears. I can only imagine the smile on Jesus’ face when he sees all of his brides singing and rejoicing in Him. It is truly magical!
Well that Rick Springfield concert back in the 80’s was really something (kidding)……
but I loved a Selah concert a few years back, and Travis (fry daddy) at a Beth Moore Conf. Also Michale W. Smith was great. I love when EVERYONE stands up and sings, I imagine it being like that in heaven!
Kelly S.
How Great Thou Art!!!!
And I also love your new blog :)
Well, it’s not so much a concert as just random music from my childhood….I just lost my dad in January and the music that I remember listening to with him as a child and more recently too really helps. I want to remember him and help my daughter to remember him as well. Huey Lewis and the News, Paul Simon, any beach music, even some old school Michael Jackson- hey it was the 80’s.
NewSong sing “Arise My Love.” It’s taking me RIGHT BACK to 1993.”
First, let me say that I saw NewSong back then, and I can still see them on stage singing that song. As a matter of fact, I still have the cassette tape that I bought at the concert and I still know EVERY WORD to EVERY SONG. :-)
Casting Crowns also affects me the same way.
On another note, I do have to say (without giving much detail) that my family has been going through a “crisis”, “trial” if you will since Thanksgiving. I recently had to testify in court, and just before going in I went to the bathroom to pray. From the moment I began to pray, and until after I left the courthouse, two songs ran through my mind continuously and brought me great comfort. Both are by Mandissa. “Never Gonna Steal My Joy” and “Shackles.” God used those songs to keep my focus on Him, to “praise Him in the storm”, and I can’t tell you how much it has helped. :-)
My sweet husband bought us tickets to see Fernando Ortega & Watermark in concert. Fernando’s music is beautiful, poetic, lyrical. But Watermark? I was transported. Christy Nockels spoke so compellingly about how God inspired the songs, and I found God breaking my heart again and again with the lyrics. And I needed my heart broken. I needed to remember how holy God is, and what a limited creature I am. I cried through the concert, which was an unexpected outcome.
Ah, James Taylor. Sweet Baby James.
Been there. Felt that.
And then there was a long, long ago Michael W. Smith concert in which he recited all of Psalm 139 (I take that back–like so many people, he skipped the “O that Thou wouldst slay the wicked, O God” and “I hate them with the utmost hatred” parts in verses 19-22. I think he played a contemplative musical interlude, then jumped back in with verse 23, “Search me, O God, and know my heart…”
Anyway, that made a huge impression on my youthful heart…that he had taken the time to memorize that thing and could recite it with such a personal tone, as if he truly were praying it. And the music was wonderful.
And this really dates me, but I remember a small, simple, but powerful Rich Mullins concert. That guy was so real, so energetic, so straightforward. After the concert, I got to meet him briefly. Gave him an enthusiastic hug because I was in a phase where I gave everybody an enthusiastic hug…sometimes several.
But during the concert, before the hug, I remember being so moved by several songs. One was the song he wrote that Amy Grant recorded, “Sing Your Praise to the Lord,” with the big piano part. It was so powerful when he did it. We were in a small church and it filled the space…I was singing my praise to the Lord with everything I had.
Not quite so high-tech/pyro-tech as your experience, but real and powerful nevertheless.
Thanks for asking–you’ve taken me back!
Well, we just took our kids (youth group) to the Winter Jam tour in our fair city.
They had a reception for youth workers and so I missed my chance to hear the powerful vocals of Miss Mandisa, but I did manage to catch ALL of Skillet’s set.
I do believe that my kids were a little embarrassed that I reverted back to the “hair band” era and was head banging – so was C! I literally looked over and all of them were laughing so hard that they were just about to wet their pants, but who can stand listening to that music and not joining in with a little “head-bang for Jesus”? I mean really? And the flames…I could feel the heat sitting 4 sections back and half-way up the side of the arena.
Anywho, I do believe that MercyMe was the most fabu group of the evening. When they did “I Can Only Imagine”, my girls were even doing their sign language. Precious to watch. It was a wonderful reminder of what Heaven will be like. Just beautiful.
Oh, I love Barlow Girl and Skillet, oh and Mercy Me! What a great concert.
And your noggin isn’t big, girl…you’re merely in the foreground. We had that happen in our Christmas picture this year…my husbands head looked enormous but mine looked much smaller and better proportioned because I was further back. Which is what I plan to do from now on, lol. I don’t need a camera adding 10 pounds to my head.
That sounds like a great night-o-worship!
Just about any album by Delirious, the most recent being the live album “Now is the Time” speaks to me. They are a must-see for Husband and I whenever they are near. Their song “Miracle Maker” is possibly the best song ever.
Just saw Steven Curtis Chapman. Just (before that) got home with two children who were born in Ethiopia.
Cried through the whole thing. BooHoo’d!
It was just the encouragement I needed to keep doin’ what I’m doin’!
Casting Crowns’ Voice of Truth and Who AM I are two songs that I go back when I face something that seems insurmountable, when I am not seeing myself in light of who I am in Christ.