The Straight-Shooter

After my last commentary it really got me thinking about the “music of old”; specifically the words, music and life of Keith Green.

The man was probably one of the most gifted tools of the Lord for speaking the truth without any ambiguity or pretense. His Christian ministry began when he was 21 after years of searching and questioning. Why the Lord allowed him to be on this planet for a mere 28 years—and only seven of which were his ministry years—is beyond my understanding. The Lord had his reasons, and I am certainly grateful for what Keith Green accomplished… and is still accomplishing through his Last Days Ministries organization.

Among his fellow musicians he was known for his zealous, hyperactive quest to spread the gospel through music and prayer. He was truly a “straight-shooter” when it came to being real with God. Listen to some of his lyrics in “To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice”:

To obey is better than sacrifice,
I want more than Sundays and Wednesday nights,
Cause if you can't come to Me every day
Then don't bother coming at all

Now if that isn’t straight-shooting…I don’t know what is. Every time I hear those lyrics it chills me to the bone. No pussy-footing around Christianity in those words.

What I’ve found to be both convicting and necessary for my own life is exactly that…conviction. I love the status quo as much as the next guy and I’m pretty much wired to not liking change. That said, I need to constantly pray for what I might be missing in my quest to feel good and continue with the same-‘ol same-‘ol. God is very gracious in letting me know when I’m missing the mark or screwing up.

Our relationship with God can be a natural high when we’re fully connected with Him…but, unfortunately, life and all its woes can get in the way and distract us from that experience. It’s people like Keith Green who had it right and wasn’t afraid to say it. I thank God I was able to have ministers of music and truth during my impressionable years as an adolescent. I’ve sure had my share of rejecting that truth…but I know God is a loving and merciful God and is always waiting for me to return to His arms.

Blessings!

Greg Morton
© September 19, 2009

Talkin’ Bout My Generation

It’s not surprising that the most influential time of my life—as it relates to my relationship with God—came via the medium of music. For decades the whole Christian music industry was pretty much a collection of hymns and gospel music….until the wonderful ‘70s came along. In the early part of that decade there was a true Christian revival spawned in great part from the “hippie, peace, love, enlightenment” generation a few years earlier. Bands started forming and speaking out about their relationship with Jesus and their love of God….and, yes, they were doing it with the style of music they were accustomed: good ‘ol rock and roll. Granted, it had a much more “folksy” flavor to begin with, but boy was it music to my ears.

Bands were cropping up right and left and most of them were proliferating right here in Southern California. The fact that I could sing along with these groups and actually relate to what they were saying, all in the style of music that hit my very core…this is the stuff from which my relationship with God actually took hold.

Because so many of these bands were local, I was able to attend many free concerts. As it grew throughout the seventies venues like Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm were hosting entire nights dedicated to these bands and their ministries. I grew up with Love Song, 2nd Chapter of Acts, Keith Green, Daniel Amos, Randy Stonehill and Larry Norman…and I haven’t been the same since. Thank you Lord for this blessing in my life.

Of course now all you have to do is turn on Air1 radio and you’ll hear the love of Christ in Pop, Country, R&B, Hip-Hop, Hard Rock and every other music genre imaginable. Music is truly one of the most effective modes of spreading the gospel and one’s faith…and I, for one, am most grateful.

Thank you, Lord, for the gift of music!

Psalm 33
1 Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous;
it is fitting for the upright to praise him.
2 Praise the Lord with the harp;
make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.
3 Sing to him a new song;
play skillfully, and shout for joy. (NIV)

Greg Morton
© September 12, 2009