Finally, after listening to John Michael Talbot for almost 15 years I got to go to a concert of his in Oklahoma City! My very first tape/encounter of him was his album called "For the Bride" and it's still one of my favorites, right next to "Heart of the Shepherd".
The concert was at Ephiphany of the Lord Catholic Church on Britton Road. The Catholic church it was held at was a more modern building and I was hoping it was an older building but no matter, it was still John Michael Talbot in concert and it was excellent!
John played so well and even with a cold he sang so wonderfully. His gifting is definently from the Lord and the grace and truth that flow from his mouth shows the times of quiet he spends reading the Holy Scriptures and praying.
He was also very human, ha! He told jokes and even made a joke in the middle of a prayer when someone's cell phone went off "That better be God telling you to give me $300-$400 thousand dollars." His chapel and some office buildings had burned down in May of 2008 and he was traveling doing concerts to raise money for their new chapel at the Little Portion Hermitage which is located outside of Eureka Springs, Arkansas.
The last song of the evening broke me and sent me crying for joy. I was just sobbing but trying to keep it together. The song that John sang last was called "Because You Are Chosen" which he took from Colossians, I believe. That song was integral in my healing and redemption from pornography, self-gratification and mostly the hurts and pains caused by others b/c of my sexuality and subsequent struggles with homosexuality. (*The night that I broke down and laid on the floor praying and crying and forgiving people who had made fun of me and called me names when I was a kid was the start of my healing in the Autumn of 2004, what a release it was to let that bitterness, recentment and anger go and recieve the forgiveness I needed because of my sin through Christ). That song as John sung it over me was like a river of water cleansing still parts of my heart that need the redeeming power of Jesus Christ. John Michael Talbot quoted Jesus at one point of the night by saying "You shall know the Truth and the Truth shall set you free." The truth was found and is found in Jesus, I am free!
(*I also recommend www.settingcaptivesfree.com for further help with habitual sexual sin.)
The quiet, it's so important to be quiet and meditate on scripture and be in prayer even when we are busy at work, driving on the road, playing with the kids, eating at a restaurant, working in the garden, taking a walk or exercixing. I was so refreshed by this "concert" that was really a worship service...so relaxing, so quiet and meditative and what a release from some things in my heart.
John Michael Talbot is a gift from the Lord for the body of Christ and I hope you can give him a chance and listen to some of his music. It's been a life line in my own life and drawn me closer to Jesus.
By His grace and for His glory alone,
Tyler
16 comments:
Hey Tyler!
So glad you were blessed by John's concert. You have a gift for reviews! Excellent job!
Glad you mentioned the "human side" of John cracking jokes, etc...some people only see the "fantasy" John - while he knows his place in the Church and of course the community Jesus has entrusted to him - he is a at the ame time deeply spiritual and a very real person. His journey has taken him through so much and in his concerts he simply shares the gifts that have been given him allowing the Lord to work.
Peace be with you in your journey my friend!
Mike Zabrocki, Br. Juniper, bscd
Hi Tyler, my name is Susan. I'm so happy to hear you attended a JMT Concert. My boyfriend and I are driving out to Rumson, NJ at Holy Cross Church to see him on Arril 25th. I fell in love with him and his music about 15 plus years ago as well. And, my favorite tape also was For the Bride. I am currently working on a JMT Concert for my parish here on Staten Island. I am so excited about it.
Keep well.
God bless,
Susn
Mike - thanks for the comment. Grace and mercy to you through Jesus...and yes, it's a wonderful journey with Jesus!
Susan, I am very sure you will like the concert. That is wonderful that you had the same experience as me with the music. John is truly a blessing to the Body of Christ. Enjoy him as I did too!
Thank you so much for this post! I'm a member of the Facebook fan group, but haven't had the chance to introduce myself. I enjoyed JMT 25 years ago, but haven't listened lately. I have some areas of my life I've been struggling with giving to the Lord. Just selfish, petty stuff, with enough of a hold that it's in the way of my walk and true joy. I am encouraged by your words and praise God for your story!!
I remember being inspired by the album a friend of mine owned back then, The Painter, and will look to more of his music for encouragement and worship again!
It must have been an awesome experience for you; glad you got that opportunity.
DesertDea, thanks for posting a comment! I am most thrilled that you want to continue pursuing a relationship with Christ b/c He so much wants to be glorified in your life as well. The journey I was sent on a few years ago to get free from habitual sexual sin has NOT been easy but in His grace I have learned to say "NO" to ungodliness. I submit that we don't have a "sin problem" as much as we have a worship problem. :)
Sorry for whatever reason my computer is throwing fits and wouldn't allow me to post under my name, and it's my blog!!!
Glad you had a meaningful and blessed time at JMT's concert. Many blessings and prayers for you as a believer, my friend. Keep running the race.
Blessings,
Kerry
Kerry, thanks and God bless you too!
Hello Tyler,
I enjoyed the review you wrote and even grabbed by your honesty in sharing your struggles.
Yes, we all have struggles big and small. But to be able to share them with others takes a lot of spirituality -- self-understanding and self-denial and self-liberated.
Now I added another bookmark to my browser.
God bless!
Fermat
from facebook JMT list.
(Hong Kong)
I enjoyed the JMT in Oklahoma!!!
Hi!!! That was a wonderful review! Thank you for sharing. I am in the group on facebook so that's how I heard about your blog. Thank you again!!!
Hi, Tyler:
I'm from your Facebook fans group, too. Your description of the concert brought back wonderful memories of my first (and only) JMT concert when I was a college student in 1985. I agree that he is blessed and gifted by the Lord and has been a blessing to so many.
Julie R.
Joules,
Thanks for reading my blog and leaving comments! I enjoy JMT everyday it seems and I hope I am not taking his music for granted.
God bless you and yours!
Tyler
I also wanted to add that I really rejoiced when reading your testimony of healing. That's very good news.
Julie
Julie, truly and only is it (my healing, deliverance, freedom) possible by God's grace through the Cross of Christ!
:) Tyler :)
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