Introductions
January 26, 2012 | My Jottings
I was deep in thought the other day while driving, and I realized that my husband Michael has been responsible for many important introductions in my life.
Michael introduced himself to me through the mail in 1981. I had never heard his name, and I came home from work in Anaheim, CA one day to find a letter from him in my mailbox. Three months later I married him.
Michael introduced me to Minnesota, and showed me what it takes to live in American Siberia. It’s been thirty years now and I’ve never looked back.
He introduced me to what kindness and strength combined look like in a man. I had never seen that before.
He introduced me to Sorel boots and Mukluks.
He introduced me to my love of birds.
He introduced me to kohlrabi.
He introduced me to venison.
He introduced me to the remarkable feeling of being loved no matter what I looked like, what I weighed, or how I behaved.
And Michael introduced me to the music of Keith Green.
Are you familiar with Keith? He was an amazing and talented young man who decided to wholeheartedly follow Jesus after searching for truth for years, and his life and music subsequently impacted many lives. Not everyone loved Keith, however. He had the often annoying habit of being loudly outspoken about his faith.
When Michael and I were getting to know each other through phone calls and letters in 1981, he sent me an LP record album (ancients that we are) by Keith Green, and I was hooked after one listen. I had never heard contemporary Christian music before.
Over the years Keith’s music meant so much to Michael and me that “our song” is one of Keith’s songs. It’s called “You Put This Love in My Heart” and you can listen to it by clicking right here.
In this song Keith was actually singing about how he felt about the Lord, but Michael and I related the words to each other, and we still get a little emotional when we hear it today. It came on in the car the other day while we were driving somewhere, and Michael reached over and took my hand and smiled knowingly. Then his eyes filled with tears. Keith’s music does that to you.
Also, here’s a link that will tell you a little about Keith’s life and untimely death — it’s worth reading and you can see a short video of him playing and singing.
We pulled out some CDs by Keith Green several days ago and are being impacted all over again. Somehow his music doesn’t seem dated to me — it seems as fresh and powerful as it was thirty years ago, and it challenges me and softens my heart. Listening to his music makes me want to love the Lord more than I do. His songs give me hope and scrape a few scales from my dull spiritual eyes. They put things into perspective for me, and they beckon me to draw close to the Lord. I need all of the above.
So, I would like you to have some Keith Green music too!
If you would like to have a fabulous CD of Keith Green’s music (pictured above and entitled “Keith Green – The Ministry Years – 1977-1979”) all you have to do is leave a comment and answer this question: Are you familiar with Keith Green’s music? Yes or no answers are just fine. If you are familiar with his music you could also share which one of his songs is a favorite of yours.
Now, let me address those of you who would like this CD but are hesitant to leave a comment. You might be thinking but I’ve already won something from this blog and I want to give someone else a turn, or I live in Australia (or England or New Zealand or Antarctica) and I don’t want Julie to have to mail me something from so far away, or I don’t want to be greedy, or some such unacceptable reason.
I want everyone who wants one to have one. I would be delighted to send this brand new Keith Green CD to every single person who asks, and I hope you all do ask by leaving a comment, okay?
Tinker, tailor, soldier, spy; writer, mother, sloth or fly; painter, baker, wet or dry; grandpa, whiner, far or nigh. Okay? This is for you.
I look forward to sending out many copies of this brilliant CD by Keith Green. Comments will be taken until Monday, January 30th at 10:00 a.m. Central Time, and CDs will be mailed out to every taker next week!
I promise you’ll be blessed.
Hi Julie,
no…I’ve never heard of him, but I’d certainly like to hear his music – I know your recommendations can be trusted!!
Best wishes
Helen
So glad you’re taking me up on this, Helen! I’ll email you for your address right away. Blessings….
Yes!!! Had a hard time naming just one, but I will say Easter Song. My heart is ablaze just thinking of those lyrics.
I love that one too, Jodi. I already know your address (thank you for having me over for scones and coffee) so will either drop it in the mail or bring it to CBS when they arrive. 🙂 Spread the word if you think you know someone who’d like the CD….
I feel I have already been blessed, Julie. Just played the link you sent several times. He (was) is so real, the way he (shared)shares his joy in the Lord. I had not heard of him before this. I think knowing what this meant, and still means, to you and Michael, made his effect even stronger. Sharing something like this is really “giving yourself away” in the very best sense of the words! You have already given him to me, so there is no need to send the CD. I do intend to purchase it. Thank you soooooooo much.
Oh Roberta, I’m going to send you an email and give you a talking to….. 🙂
Julie- I’ve heard of him and I’m sure I’ve heard his music but I can’t think of any of his songs off the top of my head. I’ll have to go check out that link.
I hope you enjoy the cd Jessica!
YOU introduced me to Keith Green. I too feel very much the same way. As a matter of fact, after listening to him on my first visit to your “American Siberia” I purchased many of his works on cassette tapes AND I purchased the book written by his wife, Melodie, “No Compromise” I believe is the title. I no longer listen to tapes and would LOVE to start a Keith Green CD collection! I would be blessed to receive one from you. In a bit of a segue ~ after that first visit to your MN home, I listen to so many Christian artists you introduced me to (remember Randy Stonehill? I saw him perform at my church one time ~ funny stuff). I also remember in one of our many conversations that week we talked about how what we listen to impacts our lives. From that moment on I was very attentive to what I was playing, so much so that a few years later I was (and continue to this day) able to listen only to music with a wholesome, and most often Christian perspective. I find I do not miss secular music in any way. We have some local radio stations which play only contemporary Christian. It is a way for me to praise God throughout my day, keeps my focus on His work, helps me remain positive and hopeful when things feel dismal, and oh so many other wonderful things. Truly a blessing!! Thank you for introducing me to what brings me such joy on a continual basis. Oh, and as for my favorite ~ can’t remember all his work, but I have always loved your favorite too. There are probably others, but their titles escape me for the moment. Thanks, can’t wait to listen again!
I had forgotten that Taun! I hope you enjoy this CD and that it brings back good memories. Randy Stonehill…we saw him in concert last month and he’s as funny as ever. I love your comments Taun….ly.
Yes! Love it! Bruce and I have enjoyed his music over the years. I love “There is A Redeemer”…one of my all time favorite songs! And I love his version of “Holy, Holy, Holy”.
Once we were driving through Arizona on a small highway out in the middle of nowhere and we turned the radio on just for fun to see if we could pick up any stations… and the first thing that we heard was Keith Green singing “Holy, Holy,Holy”! It was one of those moments where God felt so present. I’ll never forget it.
I love those songs too Shari. Blessings on you and yours….
You have already blessed me with this CD (birthday present? I can’t remember…)! =D But I wanted to leave a comment saying:
1) This CD is awesome. People. Comment!
2) I cry every time that you write something about Uncle Michael. I love you both sooo much!
You make me laugh. We are so proud of you!
Your story of how you met and married your husband within 3 months made me smile.
I met my husband through match.com and we met and married within 6 months which surprised a lot of people. We had both spent time praying with other Christians regarding finding a spouse. In fact, Alan was the first and only person I dated through the internet. But we are blissfully happy and it proves that when we step out in faith and prayer, it’s amazing what God can do.
I haven’t heard of Keith Green, I’ll be checking out your links too.
I’d like hearing more of your story, Kay. It sounds like you and Alan feel so blessed….thank you for visiting and commenting here! I’ll be emailing you for your address so you can enjoy the CD….
I’ve never heard Keith’s music. I know his preaching [no surprise there] & his opinion on certain things [like watering down the gospel] rang absolutely true with me. His wife’s testimony after his & the children’s deaths is just inspiring.
I’m glad for the opportunity to introduce you to his music, Ganeida! Yes, Keith ruffled a few feathers in his time because of his choleric personality and how radical his life became after his conversion. But the anointing on his music lingers… God bless you today my friend….
Hi Julie~ I loved the memories of when you met Michael and what he introduced you too. They made me smile! I am so glad you have each other and I can only imagine what a blessing you are to him in this phase of his life with health issues! I like KG’s music, I was introduced to it by Chuck Cox, who really likes his music and he used to play it a lot back in the 80’s at our Singles Bible Study!
Be Blessed today Julie as you bless others!
love~Susan
Give Mike a hug from me!
Thank you Sue – so nice to see you here. I will email you for your address and send you a CD next week! God bless your day too….
Oh, I love Keith Green’s music! It’s to think of my fave. But if I have to choose one, it’s “Your Love Broke Through.” I don’t think I can listen to that song without crying in gratitude. Silly reason to love a song, huh? I loved how unabashedly in love he was with Jesus, and how he called us all to be “holy fools” — do you remember that? In my dotage it’s finally getting easier to be that holy fool without worrying about who’s watching.
Thanks for the reminder about him, Julie.
I’m so glad to know someone else who’s familiar with him, Marcia. Yes, I remember some of his phrases like that! I’ll email you for your address Marcia…thank you for reading and commenting. 🙂
I should have known.. .you love Keith Green’s music too Julie! He would be very proud that his music continues to be offered for free. Keith was the first Christian artist to offer his music “for free or what you can afford” through “Last Days Ministries” during the 70’s & 80’s…he also spearheaded taking “Love Offerings” becuz he did not believe Christian concerts should sell tickets. You are right that not everyone was a Keith Green fan…especially Christian musicians who were charging for their concerts…. If it was not for that ministry I would not have been able to have this anointed music at that time of my life as a very poor…& heartbroken single mother. I think I know every word to every song…& hung onto every promise…& since own every remake CD that was made available! My favorites include …but not limited to: The Prodigal Son (took up the whole side of an album…Beautiful!) , How Can They Live Without Jesus, Do You Want To Go Back To Eygpt …& especially ..Song for My Son. I’ve tried to live the words he so beautifully wrote & sang in that song ….”and if I could I would protect you from what you will see.. this world may seem so alive but it’s dead to me…..& I will tell you ..if you will listen…& I will try to listen too” I love the depth of that line. It was a sad day when he died for many of us…but you are right to say his music & lyrics are still fresh & alive….because Jesus IS still alive in all the songs Keith blessed us with!
I should have known too, Linda. 🙂 Yes, how I remember all of what you’ve mentioned here. I subscribed to the Last Days Newsletter and pored over every one. Thank you so much for commenting and sharing part of yourself here. LY…
I received Christ as my Savior at a Vineyard Church in Lancaster, Calif.in the late 70’s. Keith Green and my pastor Brent Rue were very close personal friends and Keith came to our church several times a year. He came there just as one of us, sang but only as part of the team. Worshipped and went to the altar with the rest of us. I remember when he died and never knew who he really was until then. He was humble and unassuming.
Wow – I never knew that, Christy. Thank you for sharing about that.
I was too late to respond to a free CD but I will get to hear it when my daughter comes home for a weekend from school soon, I look forward to that. You should introduce my girls to kohlrabi.
Love you Sis
Blessings
Larry
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Okay – I’ll make a kohlrabi salad when they come to MN next, Lar. 🙂 Savannah has the CD already….I’m sending one to Christy!