He was only visiting this planet - Larry Norman

Greeting everyone!

My heart is a little heavy today. I found out that Larry Norman, the “Father of Jesus Rock and Roll”, passed away this past Sunday.

I have loved Larry’s music since I first heard it in the late 60s, early 70s. He was not just a pioneer – every “Contemporary Christian Musician” owes him a debt because without Larry’s obedience to the Spirit of God, there may not be “Christian” music as we know it today – he was an iconoclast, breaking the religious hold on the musical expression of God’s truth and the worship due Him. He was the first apostle of every worship leader and a prophet to an emerging revival that became known as “The Charismatic Movement”.

However, as with the conversion of Bob Dylan many years later, the church either actively persecuted him or, perhaps what was worse, largely ignored him. His music style was unique and eclectic. His lyrics were inspiring and challenging. He was either the Psalmist David or the prophet Elijah depending on whether you embraced what God was doing in the earth or resisted it.

Nearly everyone recognizes Larry’s cry of the church to be prepared in the song, “I Wish We’d All Been Ready.” But how many appreciate seeing Jesus as an “Unidentified Flying Object” or could embrace his perspective on the Vietnam Conflict and the hypocrisy he exposed in “Six O’clock News”.

While we lived in Memphis, I started a night club where Christians could come, fellowship together and hear good music from a variety of artists, some just garage bands playing their version of Jesus Rock and Roll while others eventually went on to national recognition. One of the greatest blessings of that time was being able to host Larry Norman live. He had not been on tour in quite some time but accepted my invitation. After his initial concert, he stayed on in Memphis for about three weeks and with the help of some local musicians, actually laid down a few tracts at Ardent Studios.

Larry was as eccentric as his was talented. His health problems, even back then, influenced his daily life. He had peculiar quirks in his personality – not sin mind you just oddities but He loved God and loved his music.

Though I haven’t seen him in more than 10 years, I will miss him. Larry helped countless young musicians get started, establishing his own recording label to facilitate that. Others like, Kent Henry of St. Louis, MO and even Dion Dimucci followed that pattern, perhaps even unknowingly.

Included here is a link to an article regarding Larry:

He Was Only Visiting This Planet: Larry Norman 4/8/47 – 2/24/08

Here is the link to his website, if you are interested:

http://www.larrynorman.com/

I pray for his family and for the church, that though one voice is silenced, there will be those who hear the voice of God and answer the call to be a watchman on the wall.

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Happy New Year!

Here is the beginning of my post. And here is the rest of it.

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Merry Christmas!

The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light.
For those who lived in a land of deep shadows—
light! sunbursts of light!
You repopulated the nation,
you expanded its joy.
Oh, they're so glad in your presence!
Festival joy!
The joy of a great celebration,
sharing rich gifts and warm greetings.
The abuse of oppressors and cruelty of tyrants—
all their whips and cudgels and curses—
Is gone, done away with, a deliverance
as surprising and sudden as Gideon's old victory over Midian.
The boots of all those invading troops,
along with their shirts soaked with innocent blood,
Will be piled in a heap and burned,
a fire that will burn for days!
For a child has been born—for us!
the gift of a son—for us!
He'll take over
the running of the world.
His names will be: Amazing Counselor,
Strong God,
Eternal Father,
Prince of Wholeness.
His ruling authority will grow,
and there'll be no limits to the wholeness he brings.
He'll rule from the historic David throne
over that promised kingdom.
He'll put that kingdom on a firm footing
and keep it going
With fair dealing and right living,
beginning now and lasting always.
The zeal of God-of-the-Angel-Armies
will do all this.

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On This Night so long ago!

There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God's angel stood among them and God's glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, "Don't be afraid. I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David's town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger."

At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God's praises:

Glory to God in the heavenly heights,
Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.

As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. "Let's get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us." They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the sheepherders were impressed. Luke 2:8-18 The Message

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The Church through History

In the beginning, the church was a fellowship of men and women who centered their lives on the living Christ. They had a personal relationship with the Lord. It transformed them and the world around them.

Then the church moved to Greece, where it became a philosophy.

Later it moved to Rome, where it became an institution.

Next it moved to Europe, where it became a culture.

Finally it moved to the United States, where it became an enterprise.

We’ve got far too many churches and so few fellowships.

-Richard Halverson

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Homeschoolers in the News

It is right , appropriate and necessary to balance the scale of press coverage of two young men recently in the news who were both homeschooled.

One-of-a-kind Tebow Becomes First Sophomore to Win Heisman

Dec 8, 11:05 PM (ET)

By RALPH D. RUSSO

NEW YORK (AP) - Tim Tebow took a few deep breaths, steadied himself, then plowed through his Heisman Trophy acceptance speech much the same way he takes on tacklers - fast and furious.

In rapid fire, Florida's sophomore quarterback thanked everyone he could think of, some of them twice. When it came time to take hold of the 25-pound bronze statue, he looked as if he wasn't sure whether he should run with the prize or throw it. He does both so well.

Florida's folk-hero quarterback with the rugged running style and magnetic personality became the first sophomore to win the Heisman on Saturday night.

"I am fortunate, fortunate for a lot of things," Tebow said. "God truly blessed me and this just adds on. It's an honor. I'm so happy to be here."

Since 1935, when Jay Berwanger of Chicago won the first Heisman, every winner had been a junior or senior - until Tebow, who picked up quite a souvenir on his first trip to New York.

"It's surreal a little bit," he said. "It's just overwhelming."

Homeschooled by missionary parents who run an orphanage in the Philippines, Tebow took advantage of a Florida state law to play for Nease, about 90 miles from the University of Florida campus.

Tebow has worked and preached at his parents' orphanage since he was 15. He regularly speaks at schools and delivered his message of faith at a prison in Florida earlier this year.

"Tim Tebow is the real American hero," said Tebow's high school football coach, Craig Howard. "He's the real deal."

And then the other -

Colorado Church Gunman Had Grudge Against Christian Group, Cops Say

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — The gunman believed to have killed four people in a pair of shooting sprees at a megachurch in Colorado Springs and a missionary training school near Denver had been thrown out of the missionary school a few years ago and had been sending it hate mail, police said in court papers Monday.

The gunman was identified as Matthew Murray, 24, who was home-schooled in what a friend said was a deeply religious Christian household. Murray's father is a neurologist and a leading multiple-sclerosis researcher.

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Mitt and his Mormonism

The purpose of this blog is to dispel myths and heresy, pull back the curtain on the excesses and outrageous behavior that goes unchecked and for whom no one is asked to give an account. It is also to challenge the body of Christ to think and research, to pray and meditate, to seek and find truth rather then simply swallow whole all that is spoon fed from pulpits and broadcasts.

In the midst of all the hype surrounding the 2008 presidential election, I find that I can no longer sit idly by but must chime in with my two cents.

It reminds me of an episode of M.A.S.H. BJ had made the comment to Hawkeye that, to Hawkeye, everything was a joke and that it would kill Hawkeye to go without making a joke for even a day. Hawkeye bet BJ that he could go for a whole day without making a joke or a wise crack.

As the episode progressed, so many things happened for which Hawkeye could have a retort or sarcastic remark but he prevailed and keep quiet. That is until the stroke of midnight when Hawkeye cranked up the camp's PA system and rattled of a litany of smart remarks, retorts and comebacks that had built up during the day.

I do not want to be in that position. I do not want to wait until it is almost to late to voice my opinion or highlight the opinions or actions of others that may prove to the benefit of righteousness.

With that in mind, I give you the following article regarding Mitt Romney and the beliefs of the Mormon cult in that hopes that when the light is shone on the works of darkness, truth will win out!

Can Mitt Romney Serve Two Masters?
The Mormon Church vs. The United States of America
Article/Release written by Tricia Erickson, President of Crisis Management, Inc.
Copyright March 4, 2007

Months ago, I was watching Hannity and Colmes. Sean Hannity, who I have great respect for, said something to the effect that “No one should criticize Mitt Romney because of his faith”. Well, Sean, you are one of my favorite people and 99% of the time, I agree with you, however, this time you were really wrong. Let me explain to you and the American people why Mitt’s Mormon faith is precisely the reason why Americans should be deeply concerned.

Let me ask you this: Would you have confidence in a president, in a time of war or otherwise, if he had lived a life of believing deception? Would you feel secure with our president if he not only believed in a fabricated religion, but he also is called by his church to preach this distorted gospel and spread Mormonism throughout the world? Would you feel secure with a president who is bound to follow a false prophet? Do you know that if Mitt Romney does not follow what the prophet of the Mormon Church tells him to do, that he is an apostate and can lose his place in the Mormon afterlife? Would you really feel comfortable voting for such a person to be the leader of this country and the free world?

Click on the title of the article to read it in its entirety. It's quite an eye-opener.

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