Sunday, Day 3 of the Christian Concert Series, loomed, and I’d venture to bet that there wasn’t a single person out there who was more excited than Your’s Truly.
I started off the day by attending church. The sermon was out-of-this world (I’ll share details some time soon). Afterward, I went home and worked on lesson plans. But, I kept my eye on the clock.
I had a date…a date with destiny.
Ok…not really.
But I did have a date, kind-of.
Ms. A, the friend I attended Day 2 with, and I had made plans to attend Sunday’s festivities, and this time, it was my turn to drive.
I was psyched.
I was also a bit concerned. The weather forecast called for rain, and the skies looked ominous again.
We had left early because we anticipated a large crowd.
Boy, was that an understatement…
We found a spot near where we had sat the evening before. However, by the time the crowd completely filled in, we were in the front third of the audience…that’s how many people there were.
When we arrived, we saw our friends R and T. The were on a hot date…or should I say humid date…
Normally, I don’t post my friends’ pictures, but after I took this, T said, “Oh, did we make your blog?” So, of course, I took that to mean I had her permission.
Isn’t her smile pretty? She oozes Christian love, as does the rest of her family.
They were not the only lovey-dovey couple I saw. Take a look at the people who sat in front of me…
As we waited, we chatted. We saw a lot of other people we knew. It’s not often…make that never…that Podunk, USA hosts an event like this.
First on the bill was Dr. Randy Carlson, host of Family Life Radio’s program, Intentional Living.
Although I am not fond of “self-help” studies, I did find him inspirational. He is very Christ-centered and bases his teachings on the Bible. Good stuff, people.
Then, we had to wait a spell while technicians set up for the next performer.
My stomach tightened in anticipation.
And then, it was time.
Look who came on stage…
AMY GRANT!!!!
This was a huge deal for me because she was the first Christian artist I remember listening to.
In fact, I remember the first time I ever heard one of her songs. I was in the car, with my youth group (which consisted of exactly five people because I grew up in One Traffic Light, USA) en-route to the very beach on which I was now standing. Someone popped a cassette into the tape player (remember the days before CDs and MP3s?).
I had no idea who she was, but I took an instant liking to her because she was the first person who didn’t sound like she was humming elevator music. Christian music suddenly became “cool.”
Her first two or three songs were some of the oldies…the lyrics of which I had long, long ago committed to memory…
It was at this point that some people in the crowd decided to sit down.
Not me, baby.
Oh no. I kept standing, swaying my body and singing at the top of my lungs (a huge apology to those who were unlucky enough to hear me). Though I had not heard the songs in some time, the words instantly came back.
“Love Will Find a Way”
“Baby, Baby”
She even sang a song from her new album. I had not heard it yet, but I loved it, and so did the crowd.
Sing it sister, I wanted to holler.
Maybe I did.
I don’t remember.
I snapped photos and immediately looked at them to make sure they turned out. I quickly realized that Ms. Grant sings with her eyes closed…a lot…
Interesting, eh? This made it difficult to snap a decent picture, but hey. They’re her songs, and that’s her band. She can sing however she wants.
Her voice was as lovely as what I’ve heard on my CDs.
After she had finished her set, we had to wait, again, while the next artist’s technicians set up.
Oy…my nerves were literally on edge.
The crowd continued to expand as more and more people arrived.
R and T decided to leave early, though. We bid them a fond farewell and then moved up into the space they had just vacated.
And then finally, the absolute HIGHLIGHT of the entire weekend…
Look who graced Podunk, USA with his presence…
Do you know who this is?
No?
How about a couple more pictures…I have lots (evil grin)…
Ok…I’ll spill.
I felt incredibly privileged to be in a crowd the size of Aruba, listening to MICHAEL W. SMITH!!!!!!
Way…no way!!!!
It was, by far, the way coolest thing ever!!!!
This man can belt out some tunes, let me tell you, and he constantly gives praise to God while doing so…
He had the crowd jumping, waving their arms, and lifting their hands in praise…
He sang oldies and goodies…there was something for everyone…
I do not often get star-struck, but I’ll admit that on this night, I was smitten. MWS is very charismatic. You instantly sense how deeply he is devoted to his faith. His desire to serve the Lord through his amazing musical skills shone forth through every note he played…
For the record, no, I am not a stalker. My soul was soaring far above the clouds that had, miraculously, failed to deposit their loads of rain on us. I wanted to capture every moment, for who knows when this itsy bitsy corner of the world will see the likes of such fine singers again…
All too soon, the last notes faded, and Michael departed with a walk across the stage, waving as he went…
One would think that feelings of sadness would follow; however, such was not the case.
No. My heart felt only an awakening and a pure joy that rarely has invaded its depths.
The crowd was treated to fireworks as a great send-off, and as each explosion set off a fiery display of beauty, I stood in awe and thankfulness…
I marveled at how I had spent the entire weekend praising God through song. I wondered, “Will there be preaching in heaven?”
I think not.
I don’t think it will be necessary, for the reaping will be done by then.
All that will remain is worship…exactly what happened on the beach last weekend.
These are memories that will live in my heart for a very long time, if not forever.
Filed under: Christian | Tagged: amy grant, christian concert, intentional living, michael w smith, randy carlson | 2 Comments »
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