Point of Grace and Mark Schultz are the people in our neighborhood!

This past weekend (Saturday, 9/19), Family Life Network brought in Point of Grace and Mark Schultz for the sixth stop of their Come Alive Tour. The concert was being hosted at First Baptist Church of Johnson City, in their brand-spankin' new facility, and as soon as we heard they were coming, we started lobbying to see if we could score an in-store appearance. First B is SO close to us, and these are dearly loved artists in our region that we knew would be well received by the local community of believers. What I didn't understand was that in-stores have become about as common as eight-tracks in our industry. Fortunately, our reputation preceeded us and some friends in high places put in a good word for us. Our vision for the in-store was a bit outside the box as well; we wanted to host a casual and informative Q&A session in our conference room, similar to Heart of the Artist events I've been able to attend at Gospel Music Week in Nashville each spring. Opportunities like this do a great deal to humanize the artists, brushing away some of the dazzle and distance ,and replacing it with relatability and the genuine connection. Our vision was met with enthusiasm, but that didn't quell my nervousness about whether it would actually work.
Saturday morning came, and all the pieces were in place. Publicity had been implemented, including shout-outs on Family Life Network radio. Questions had been gathered and prepped. Aggressive sale prices had been negotiated, and eye-catching quantities brought in. Staffer Kim Seavey had beautified the conference room such that the cast of The View would have found it inviting. The artists arrived without delay, but all the planning and good intentions in the world wasn't going to change what happened next- everything went great. (Sometimes I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop before the first one has even been untied!) I began to relax and enjoy myself, even though I was MCing. There was a great spirit is the room, and beautiful sharing from Mark, Denise, Leigh and Shelley. My favorite moment personally was when we spontaneously echoed back to the artists a litany of song titles that had touched our hearts and ministered to us in special ways- "I AM...For All You've Done...When You Come Home....Keep the Candle Burning....I Have Been There....No More Pain....He Will Carry Me....Day By Day.....Child of Mine....More Than Anything....Walking Her Home....God Is With Us....Back In His Arms Again....Who Am I....He's My Son....You Will Never Walk Alone....Letters From War....Jesus Will Still Be There....Closer To You.....Any Road, Any Cost..."
It was only a minute or two, but it was a spine-tingling one for me, keenly aware that God had shown up in a very special way. You could see tears in the eyes of many attendees, knowing that every song title uttered carried with it a very personal memory of how God had met them in those lyrics at a time of deep need. I don't know what the artists were thinking, but it was apparent to me that they were touched. I led the exercise in a desire to bless them, and remind them again of the power God imbues into their music. Denise was away from her husband on their 17th anniversary; I would imagine that the life on an artist entails many missed birthdays, recitals, play-off games and just-because gatherings with family and friends. It's my prayer that they will be fortified to continue forward in their artistry and that God would continue to lavishly pour Himself out of them, as they carry the Good News in song to parched audiences night after night.
The concert itself was amazing! First B has been entrusted with a stunning new facility, the results of hard work, perseverence, sacrifice and vision. I'm thankful that they opened their facility to our community for this event, and am so proud of the passion they have to reach people for Christ and grow them in deeper relationship. I hope this will be the first of many packed-out concerts I get to attend there; moreso, I pray that God would allow them powerful ministry in the years to come. Point of Grace has matured and refined their craft beautifully in their 15+ years of active ministry. (Note to Word Music: Start planning now for a stellar 20th anniversary project, perhaps with other artists covering some of POG's many chart-topping songs) Both their roster, their life roles and their sound have changed through the years, and it has only gotten better. Heather and Terri, you are missed greatly, but Leigh is a stellar addition and fits like a glove. They played some new songs from their highly-anticipated Spring 2010 album, and we're in for a real treat.
Mark was humble, engaging and entertaining. His story songs move me to tears every time (admittedly not a hard task- I'm a softy and chronic blubberer), even when I know what's coming and try to steel myself against the inevitable choke. The finale, with the whole venue booming with celebratory lyrics we lifted together, was another spine-tingling moment. May we never, ever forget the truth- "Every Knee Shall Bow, Every Tongue Confess That God Is Love, And Love Has Come For Us All, Every Heart Set Free, Everyone Will See That God Is Love, And Love Has Come For Us All." Amen and Amen. -MJB

Buy the Book! (or Be Woefully Unfulfilled)

Andrew Peterson's "North! (or be eaten)" is the rollicking second entry in the Wingfeather Saga, which I find myself hoping will be far more than a trilogy. Peterson's writing is intelligent without being pretentious, captivating without being formulaic and positively brimming with adventure, whimsy and characters you'll find yourself rooting for. As a father of six young children, my time to read is at a premium, but the tales of Janner, Tink & Leeli Igiby are treasures to us all.
The first book, "On The Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness", was hungrily devoured by the Brink tribe in nightly family readings that ended all too soon. My kids were consumed by the cliffhangers and possibilities- I wasn't far behind. The wait for the second book was agonizing, and I plowed through it on my own in a weeks' time, under the auspices of writing this grown-up review. It was a wondrous roller coaster ride, characterized the exhilarating twists, turns and obstacles that are to be expected, but never fully anticipated. It was over far too quickly, leaving me breathless and with my mind spinning with the possibilities of where things might head in the third book. Now, reading it aloud with my own brood, I'm getting to savor the finer nuances and clues that were masterfully tucked away here and there.
Book Two expands the scope of its storytelling in two very important ways. First, the scope of the story enlarged, getting our beloved trio of siblings and their supporting cast out of Glipwood and away from the lizard-like Fangs. They encounter new locales, new perils, new cultures and formidable new adversaries. Some characters thought dead returned, others dearly loved died valiantly and new characters are introduced who greatly enrich the story. Secondly, and more importantly, the scope of the characters hearts expand as they discover deeper reservoirs of courage, hope and loyalty, but also wrestle unflinchingly with darker emotions like betrayal, compromise, jealousy, despair, regret and remorse. Several characters undergo significant physical changes, but more powerful is the metamorphosis of character that is set forth without apology.
Peterson's writing is rich and well-paced, inventive and never heavy-handed. Breaking away from the ensemble feel that characterizes much of the narrative, one character is isolated from the others for several harrowing chapters. Peterson's portrayal of their ordeal shows admirable restraint, but the resolve and strength of character that ultimately emerges had me both weeping and cheering on the public bus I was riding. I was so lost in the plight and the triumph that I had momentarily forgotten that it was mere story. Books of this caliber are a rare treasure, and I have every confidence that Andrew has a myriad of great stories to share with us in the future. I for one simply cannot wait! -Michael J Brink