"The Bible is a remarkable fountain: the more one draws and drinks of it, the more it stimulates thirst."
- Martin Luther
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
There are a few moments in my life when music has directly impacted me. Included in these moments is the first time I heard the Beatles' Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band and the first time I heard D.C. Talk's Jesus Freak.
I was reminded of another one of those moments tonight. I was on iTunes and decided to download some old 2nd Chapter of Acts songs. Many of you will never have heard of them, but they were one of the pioneering CCM bands of the 1970s.
I remember distinctly the first time I heard their song Last Day of My Life. I was not a believer at the time, but was at the home of some friends of my brother who were. They put the album (yes, vinyl :-) on and this is what I heard, in perfect a capella harmony:
of my life
I would not cry
'Cause I've been waiting for it
waiting for it
Instead I'm sure I'd jump for joy
and reach the sky
'Cause I've been dying for it
dying for it
This hit me square in the heart. Who are these people, I thought, who wouldn't be sad if this was their last day? This made no sense to me.
But I knew, somewhere deep down, that I wanted to be like them. I wanted to be like these young people who were singing - and excellently so - for joy.
And I found that, in the bridge of the song, they were also describing me.
Every thing you've done
At least once or twice
And I know there's no joy
Left within you . . .
This moment, which happened about thirty years ago, was one of the impacts that started the kicking away of the supports I had put in my life "protecting" me from falling into the arms of Jesus. Thank God.
I'm listening to that song now, and I've got chills.
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Comments on "Memory of an Impact":
3. Linda Gilmore
- 08/07/2008 8:01 am CDT
I got to see 2nd Chapter of Acts in concert a couple of times back in the late 70s/early 80s -- they are still some of the most powerful worship experiences of my life. They weren't performing so much as leading in worship and it was amazing -- and all the glory went to God.
4. Bill
- 08/07/2008 8:30 am CDT
We saw them toward the end of their touring career. Yes, it was a great concert and very pure, if you know what I mean.
"It's funny how music can do that to you."
Well, especially me. For the past few years I've been pretty much sick of music - all of it. All the bands (a dime a dozen these days), all the songs, everything coming out on radio. Pretty much the whole thing.
You know those posts (Rod does them sometimes) where we're supposed to list the five songs currently rocking our ipod, or whatever? I can never even think of that many.
IMO, music's totally overrated :-) So when something does impact me, it's a pretty big deal (for me).
5. jen
- 08/07/2008 9:25 am CDT
I think 2nd Chapter of Acts was one of the best early P&W groups from the Jesus Movement and early CCM. I love them.
Buy their 20 set - it's a compilation of the best songs for their 20th anniversary and it is awesome.
6. Karl
- 08/07/2008 9:57 am CDT
The music of 2nd Chapter of Acts had a huge impact on my wife's early faith. We have several of their albums on cassette tape. The tightness of their harmony is amazing at times. Their tribute album to Narnia is always kind of fun to put on, too.
7. Andrew
- 08/07/2008 12:23 pm CDT
For the past few years I've been pretty much sick of music - all of it. All the bands (a dime a dozen these days), all the songs, everything coming out on radio. Pretty much the whole thing.
Imagine being a musician in his house. He's insufferable. :)
8. Bill
- 08/07/2008 12:26 pm CDT
[Bill adjusts his hearing aid while shaking a bony fist at the young whippersnapper]
9. Sherry Early
- 08/13/2008 11:45 pm CDT
I remember 2nd Chapter of Acts (adjusting my hearing aid, too). But it was Keith Green's music and life that really got my attention during that same era.
Make my life a prayer to you,
I wanna do what you want me to.
No empty words and no white lies
No token prayers, no compromise.
I wanna shine the light you gave
Through your son you sent to save us
From ourselves and our despair
It comforts me to know you’re really there.
Well I wanna thank you now
For being patient with me
Oh it’s so hard to see
When my eyes are on me
I guess I’ll have to trust
And just believe what you say
Oh you’re coming again
Coming to take me away
I wanna die and let you give
Your life to me so I might live
And share the hope you gave to me
The love that set me free
I wanna tell the world out there
You’re not some fable or fairy tale
That I’ve made up inside my head
You’re God the son and you’ve risen from the dead.
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Great song. Great album.