Finally posting some thoughts

Alas, I finally blog on my blogspot!

I saw a Sara Groves, Bebo Norman, and Fernando Ortega concert last night at a Baptist college in Chattanooga. The venue was a large sanctuary with jumbo tron screens. It turns out that the college was having a prospective student weekend and all of the "prospective students" got free tickets. Mark and I were among the few "elderly" folks there. OK, so we're not really that old, but we felt like it last night.

The hosts of the concert were staff of the college and just about did us in. We felt like we were in a scene from the movie, Saved--complete with a "Give me an 'A'. Give me a 'W'" and so on until everyone was screaming, "Jesus is Awesome". I'm not kidding. And while I do believe that Jesus is, in fact, awesome, I had a very hard time getting into the cheer. The funniest part of the pre-show was a guy who went on a rant about how thankful he was for his salvation (and let me just say that I am as well) only to end his remarks with, "And I am so excited about the day of judgment". Then he walked off stage. Mark and I laughed out loud. I don't think anyone heard us, but it was a really funny statement.

We talked some more this morning about why that seemed so funny to us and why the whole "Jesus is Awesome" cheer seemed a little far out. We decided that it plays into the need to either get people jumping up and down or crying their eyes out and racing to the altar. I think sometimes it's all about emotion at the expense of intellect and true reflection on what it means to love and be loved by God. I also thought about the level of extremes in that model and that there is no time for silence or introspection. I'm thinking that you don't have to be on the brink of emotional meltdown to experience God. I'm still thinking about it.

OK, now on to the concert. Can I just say that Sara Groves is my hero? I've always thought it was weird that people put singers/bands on pedestals (except for my affair with Bon Jovi in junior high), but my Sara is simply amazing. Her honesty coupled with her simplicity and amazing voice put me smack dab in a space of grace. Her music for me is a means of grace--especially her song about her son that says, "He looks like an angel when he's sleeping. . .but he looks like Charles Bronson when he cries. . ." OK, so that one is less than spiritual, but most of them say everything that I want to say but can't express. I don't want to be her, but I do strive for her sincerity in songwriting.

Bebo and Fernando were good, but I wasn't there for them. Bebo talks to much and Fernando wasn't as good with a band. I just like him at the piano, with only a cello or something.

I suppose this is all for today. The Youngman house is working on what discipline is the right discipline for children, so I should have some pretty funny stories about my attempt to be authoritative. Peace for now.