Welcome to my eclectic journey of my life and delights. This year my theme is surrendering my writing pen to the true author, Jesus Christ, while looking forward to the future, reflecting on the past and dancing through my journey.




Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Light Up the Sky - Never Too Old


Saturday night, I had the joy of accompanying three of my children to an arena hosting Contemporary Christian artists performing praise to our God.  I have attended concerts like this in the past with my oldest children, but life has taken so many paths since then and I have missed attending these venues.  Saturday night I had my 20-year-old daughter, my 15-year-old son (and his friends) and my 5-year-old. We gathered with over 10 thousand to sing His praises.

My heart's cry, as I heard different performers that weren't my music style, was "Oh God, may I never grow too old to worship you and enjoy others' forms of praising you.  May I come to concerts with my believing grandchildren."  I couldn't understand all the lyrics, but I felt the Spirit of God penetrate throughout the large arena, which normally hosts professional sports and the biggest names in the entertainment field. Tonight, it was full of praise to our God.

When our five-year-old was asked by his Dad how the concert was and what it was like...these were his words...

"It was all Jesus, Jesus and Jesus.  He lights up the sky!"

My heart just jumped - my five-year-old got the message of the night.  Each artist was glorifying Jesus through their songs and testimonies.  Hymns were sung in the middle of Contemporary Christian worship songs.  Mercy Me led  I Can Only Imagine.


I could imagine heaven...all the praises from all the countries, all the different generations.  Charles Wesley, Fannie Crosby, Horatio Spafford, (the writers of the hymns) Natalie Grant, Mercy Me,(contemporary Christian artists) my grandmother, and all believers worshiping before the throne.

This video was played while the artist sang the song.  It is worth watching even if you don't care for the style of music....as my five-year-old has been communicating this message since the concert. If I could send everyone a firecracker with the message of "Light this when you are in your darkest hour,  I am with you!"....  I would - He is with us! (watch until the end of video to understand!!)


33 Joining in with more words:

Theresa said...

Love the song and video! What a cool Momma you are :) How awesome is that...to worship with your children and all those other people!

Vee said...

I'm on a visiting roll just now, but I will be back to watch. Your little boy said the sweetest thing. Children so often "get it" in a more profound way than the adults. Since we won't be old in Heaven, I'm sure we're going to truly enjoy "new" things. You're a sport for attending such a concert. I could no longer do so.

Alice said...

Cool :)

Tanna said...

Oh, man! I am crying tears of joy!! What a wonderful video and reminder that He is with us all the time!! blessings~tanna

ps Mercy Me is one of my favorites!

Sandy said...

Oh yes, He does light up the sky-
and our lives! Benjamin did get it!
I am such a lover of music and must
hear it daily. Wish I could have
been there. I love all kinds of
worship music and my twenty-one
year old son even got me into some
of the wilder stuff he listens to
occasionally. If the lyrics are
about honoring the Lord I don't
care if the beat is fast or slow.
I am a real lyric lover.
Enjoyed this, Janette.
Blessings~

Unknown said...

You go girl.. you show those yungons how to Rock....

Mary said...

okay...tears streaming down now...thank you for sharing this.

love what you precious son said...yes...it's all Jesus!

and I love think kind of music!!!

xxoo

Karen said...

Janette, I'm so glad you had the opportunity to attend what sounds like a really cool concert with your kids! I watched the video and now I'm blubbering. :)

Debbie said...

Oh Janette what a wonderful way to start my morning!! YES He does light light light up the sky! I haven't been to a concert like that in a while but there is just nothing like it. Thousands joined together to praise Him...How wonderful to share this with your kids and their friends. I LOVE "some" of that music too. Mercy me and I can only imagine for sure. Sooo glad you got to do this! Have a wonderful day! HUGS

Farm Girl said...

I love those words! So nice and what a nice time to be with your kids.

no spring chicken said...

I have always loved this song but never seen the video. Wow. And what joy from your boy!!

Our dear friends have a son who is married with twin toddler girls. Chad is lead singer and guitar(sometimes keyboard, crazy talented) for a scream band. I've seen him perform classical piano and vocal wearing a tuxedo. He was amazing. but somehow God has called him to this crazy venue that I don't get at all. But we love him so we go to his concerts when he performs here. The kids are dressed different, they are rowdy in their praise, but they are praising! And the Spirit of God is present. And the testimonies are heart-wrenching!

Thank you for this important post.

Blessings, Debbie

Debbie said...

I have goose bumps. Really, I do. It started when your little one summed it up so well. I love the part about the great praise writers from the generations all gathered.

Let's put King David in the mix with them. He was the greatest praise writer of them all.

Now, I'm clicking the song link. If you hear a sonic boom sound, it will be me praising in Georgia.

You have no idea how many times I read your blog and think that you and I must have been separated at birth.

Debbie said...

OK, now I'm. crying. It's a good cry.

myletterstoemily said...

"Jesus, Jesus, and Jesus!" how precious is that?
sometime i will tell you the story about when
Jesus met with all my kids in a college auditorium.
they will never forget it, and neither will yours.

i'm with you on worship. i pray i am never too
old to worship with the youth. i also pray that
i 'out' worship them.

i am beginning to miss my blog, but still don't
have time yet.

also, i have two baylor kids now! oklahoma
still rules, though. :)

Anonymous said...

Janette,

1. A "Terminated" Cancer Patient
2. A Terminated Marriage
3. A Terminated Job

All three wanted to give-up hope, but in the end, the "light" (which I am assuming is Christ) in the sky (e.g., the fireworks), helped them to hold on and not give-up. Did I get the message right? :)

I think the quote from your 5 year old son was priceless! I could have added that quote to my current blog post about quotes! LOL! :)

-L. Rose

Vee said...

I really enjoyed the video so perhaps I could enjoy the concert. ☺

Trisha said...

"Out of the mouths of babes!" How wonderful!

Anonymous said...

Janette,
This must have been a glorious concert. Wonderful worship music!
I think the best part is your 5 year old's response. I am sure your heart leapt with joy!

Lea @ CiCis Corner said...

This post just made my heart smile and smile and I could just picture you having the time of your life. I so well remember attending these types of events with our kids in their teen years. Brings back such fond memories. Blessings!

Sue said...

I have now found me a new song, just loved this Janette,and how wonderful to go with your children, AWESOME!!!
When Mercy Me sings " I Can Only Imagine", my dh weeps. it touches his very soul!.
I was thinking while reading this, about Our God, listening and seeing these ten thousands souls praising Him. and I would like to imagine that He rolled the curtains of heaven back and let all the Saints see and hear. "Hold my horse while I shout dear friend".
What a blessing you are.
Hugs,
Sue

Christine said...

FAITH...
and more FAITH!
What a great way to teach and show your Faith, to your children.

Ephesians 3:12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.

Ginny Marie said...

Janette, I don't listen to contemporary Christian music very often (I'm more of a traditional gal) but this video was amazing! I loved the imagery of the fireworks. Plus, sharing your faith with ten thousand people in one place must have been an amazing experience!

Maria said...

Hi Janette!
I'm at work, just making a quick stop to say good morning and thank you again for your wonderful hospitality and help for Jason.
Sue and I have been in touch several times and I think Chris {my husband} will be calling her any time now for apartment hunting help! Their trip went well and they are getting acclamated to Austin.
I know with events like this, Jason will LOVE living there!
I love that song, I Can Only Imagine! How wonderful it must have been to hear it live.
One thing I miss already is looking across our row of seats in church and seeing Jason there. It will make Christmas all the sweeter!
*bless you always,
~Maria

Amy said...

Wow! Praise the Lord! Wish I could have been there with you! LOVE this song. So thankful you had this praise experience! Blessings friend. Amy

Crown of Beauty said...

Thanks for sharing this marvelous post. I love my children's worship music... there is something in this generation's worship style that just grips my heart and brings tears to my eyes... they are so connected to His heart in their language and musical genre that they can relate to.

Love
Lidj

Sharon said...

Your son - no wonder God loves children! Their hearts just grab on to Him in the most profound way! Sounds like you had a wonderful time - and I know your kids appreciated your interest and participation in *their* world.

It's all praise, isn't it?! And He is always deserving of it all...

GOD BLESS!

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

What a joy to hear your sons words about Jesus! I am sure you thought of the verse, "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth."

Lora Maria said...

how cool. I must be emotional this morning because THIS made me cry, too! beautiful. You're a cool Mom. :)
Blessings, Lora

A multi-dimensional life said...

I had goosebumps of joy over Benjamin's reply! Yes, He does light up the sky! And with His light, we won't lose our way! This whole week has been a "light" theme for me...and now your post popped up and drew me in! God's timing always amazes me! Wonderful post and what a great experience you had with your kids! They are very blessed and so are you!

Debbie Petras said...

I am 100% with you on this. I get tired of people complaining about worship music styles. I love the older hymns and find such peace and comfort in singing them.

However, I love many of the contemporary songs too. I often listen to KLOVE on the radio and have been ministered to so many times through music.

I think we should quit complaining and praise God that young people love Him and worship Him in their own style. After all, as long as the doctrine is sound. Jesus alone ...

Love you,
Debbie

A multi-dimensional life said...

Oh, Janette we are on the same wavelength!! I was reading in Exodus this week and in 13:21-22 God gave the Hebrews a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of flame by night so that they would not lose their way on their journey to the promised land. He still gives us pillars to guide us, especially His word. This entire week, the theme of light has been such a wonderful reminder that He is always with us!
Yes, I loved the video...brought tears to my eyes and the message is clear! And Amy Grant's lyrics...so wonderful. I esp. like the line "I will be your rock when every candle burns down low"....THE LIGHT OF CHRIST!!!Just as Ben said! Thanks for visiting and I'm so glad you came back over to comment again.

Karen said...

Great song and video! We all like the Afters here! :)

Leslie @ Farm Fresh Fun said...

Wish we'd been there with you all. Just wonderful!
xoxo
Leslie

Related Posts with Thumbnails