GroshLink

Besides Phil Keagy and John Michael Talbot, I (Tom) don't have any exposure to Jesus Movement artists. I've heard of The Imperials, Larry Norman, 2nd Chapter of Acts (and A Band Called David), Randy Stonehill, and Vigilantes of Love, but lack familiarity. So it was good to hear Paul Clark tonight.

He has a powerful testimony involving coming free from drugs and social rebellion as an 18 year old during the hippie movement by reading a Christian book of his grandmother. From then on, new songs poured forth laying part of the foundation for the Jesus Movement and Contemporary Christian Music (CCM). Tonight, he opened with calling people to be born again, questioning religious talk, warning us of the dangers of the false prophets of our day and the comfortability of gated Christian communites.

Paul spent some time sharing about the Apostle Paul as being a role model and urged us to not let our foundations crumble. His haunting

Good Friday piece reminded me of the what if of Easter set in the context of the teaching ministry of Jesus set in the Jewish culture informed by the Biblical narrative, pressing home the question of where do I step into the Biblical story, take on its lens as I live each day, step by step . . . for me to live is Christ, to die is gain. The only way to you Jesus is through life.

Afterward, I met a man who shared how 3 out of 4 of his older children walked away from Christ, particularly the eldest. Frustratingly, 2 of the other children are strong, sincere, trustworthy workers, but have not made public professions of faith. Greg, one of the pastors at E-town BIC, and I prayed for the man and his family. Some of what I shared w/the man came from The Danger of Raising Nice Kids, which I just finished reading this afternoon (stay tuned for notes). Please join me in praying for the Spirit to speak through parents and children/youth ministers as they teach the children given to their care not only tomorrow morning, but each day of the week.

I was encouraged by the opportunity to hear Paul's stories and music which gives glory to God in the context of the People of God. And look forward to hearing him further when he shares during the worship time tomorrow morning. Father, Enable me, each person reading this, and the children which we prayed from tonight to live each day in Christ by the power of your Spirit.