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!!)


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33 comments:

  1. TheresaApril 13, 2011 at 10:41 PM

    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!

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  2. VeeApril 14, 2011 at 3:55 AM

    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.

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  3. AliceApril 14, 2011 at 4:22 AM

    Cool :)

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  4. TannaApril 14, 2011 at 4:23 AM

    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!

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  5. SandyApril 14, 2011 at 4:37 AM

    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~

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  6. UnknownApril 14, 2011 at 4:37 AM

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

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  7. MaryApril 14, 2011 at 5:14 AM

    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

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  8. KarenApril 14, 2011 at 5:44 AM

    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. :)

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  9. DebbieApril 14, 2011 at 7:04 AM

    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

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  10. Farm GirlApril 14, 2011 at 7:57 AM

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

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  11. no spring chickenApril 14, 2011 at 9:55 AM

    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

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  12. DebbieApril 14, 2011 at 10:21 AM

    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.

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  13. DebbieApril 14, 2011 at 10:26 AM

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

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  14. myletterstoemilyApril 14, 2011 at 11:39 AM

    "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. :)

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  15. AnonymousApril 14, 2011 at 1:32 PM

    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

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  16. VeeApril 14, 2011 at 3:23 PM

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

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  17. TrishaApril 14, 2011 at 3:26 PM

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

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  18. AnonymousApril 14, 2011 at 3:55 PM

    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!

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  19. Lea @ CiCis CornerApril 14, 2011 at 5:22 PM

    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!

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  20. SueApril 14, 2011 at 6:25 PM

    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

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  21. ChristineApril 14, 2011 at 6:31 PM

    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.

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  22. Ginny MarieApril 15, 2011 at 4:56 AM

    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!

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  23. MariaApril 15, 2011 at 5:07 AM

    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

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  24. AmyApril 15, 2011 at 12:20 PM

    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

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  25. Crown of BeautyApril 15, 2011 at 2:06 PM

    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

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  26. SharonApril 15, 2011 at 2:44 PM

    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!

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  27. GratefulPrayerThankfulHeartApril 15, 2011 at 3:50 PM

    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."

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  28. Lora MariaApril 16, 2011 at 4:59 AM

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

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  29. A multi-dimensional lifeApril 16, 2011 at 9:00 AM

    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!

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  30. Debbie PetrasApril 16, 2011 at 9:15 AM

    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

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  31. A multi-dimensional lifeApril 16, 2011 at 2:19 PM

    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.

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  32. KarenApril 18, 2011 at 3:54 PM

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

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  33. Leslie @ Farm Fresh FunApril 21, 2011 at 5:46 PM

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

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