“Where words fail, music speaks.” I don’t know who said that but it’s true. There are no words that can adequately express the heartfelt sympathy so many of us wish to offer to the families and friends who have had their worlds shattered on Friday. My heart is turned inside out. Our family has been praying.
Category Archives: Music
Music Monday – The Third Day Soul on Fire Tour
Photo Credit: Lott Shudde, http://www.thirdday.com
Powerful. I went to a Third Day concert Saturday and it can hardly be categorized as a “show.” Yes, the band performed but what they performed was heart and soul surgery. We were led. We were led to The Throne and sent forth to continue the worship in our lives. The album is Lead Us Back and the tour is Soul on Fire and if you don’t get to any other concerts this year, do try to make this one. I would feel this way even if I weren’t already a Third Day fan. I went to this particular concert to meet up with almost 70 other fans (the Gomer Family) for pre and post-show gatherings and we had joked about how nice it was of Third Day to provide a concert for our party. I thought I was going to serve cake and meet up with friends I seldom see in person but have been blessed to get to know and love.
What I found out was I was there for conviction. We have struggles here at the Fecher abode, just like everyone else. Sometimes we need slapped upside the head by the Spirit. God bless Third Day for their anointed ability to slap people upside the head through their music. Your Words, Our Deliverer, Victorious – powerful. Worship is a verb, a frame of mind and a lifestyle. It’s music like that found on the new album that challenges us to look inside ourselves and take inventory of what’s missing and what’s there that shouldn’t be. I was prepped before attending this concert that this would not be like the typical rock-your-face shows that we are used to. I was expecting “mellow.” Mellow is not the word. Nope, nope, nope. Powerful is the word. Lead Us Back is their first worship album since Offerings 2 in 2003. I hope they won’t wait that long til the next one. Music speaks to us in ways nothing else can. Sometimes it’s fun, silly, beautiful, obnoxious, danceable, etc. but something we need a regular dose of in our music intake is, in case you missed it, powerful worship.
Get thee to a show: Third Day Tour Schedule
What’s not shared is lost,
Michelle
Music Monday – That Old Wheel
Yes, I’m still here. I continue to do that “thing” where I tell myself I’m going to reward a finished to-do list with sit-down-with-my-blog time. Yea…right…12 kids, 3 grandbabies, catering business, homeschool, laundry. In light of the fact that I still have taxes to prep, I’ve decided that if I’m ever going to post again, I better sit down and do it then get on the list. Everything important eventually gets done and the things that don’t get done are the things that never get finished anyways. That being said, I’ve had A LOT on my mind! I could have 50 posts since the last one if writing was my job. I’ll get there…I won’t give up!
On my mind, recently, have been a few peeps who either are deliberately trying to hurt me or are carelessly and/or selfishly wounding my family and I. An ongoing struggle has been a family member that I sincerely wish would be involved with my children and myself but has spent years making excuses then blaming me that we don’t spend time together. There’s more to it but suffice it to say, it hurts, it’s frustrating and I’m about fed up.
Others on my mind are some folks who I once thought friends but, because they believed the gossip of others without ever contacting me to confirm that what they were hearing is true, decided I was unworthy and “don’t pay me no mind anymore.”
Finally, I am a business owner. I own a catering and custom cake design business with my family. We have worked hard to create a legitimate food service industry business. There’s a whole other blog post on what that entails but for this one, being attacked by another for no other reason than we’re competition is aggravating. The quality of my product has been questioned and even lied about and it’s been implied that I and others in the business have been trying to sabotage this person who has a reputation for playing dirty. The other thing about me is I try to be a nice person! I don’t “get” people who aren’t nice to others. And when they come after my family or me just because they’re mean, I kinda want to get mean back.
So these situations have been popping around in my head like popcorn and my thoughts have not been passing the Philippians 4:8 test, I can tell you that. Last week, as I was running errands and running amuck, I popped in a cd I haven’t listened to in a while, Jason Hoard’s The Road Ahead.
That Old Wheel came on and I had to listen to it over and over again (there’s kind of pun there – if you listen to the song, you’ll get it.) This album was released in 2011 and That Old Wheel was originally performed by Johnny Cash and Hank Williams Jr., so it’s certainly not new but this song in particular was just a friendly reminder to hang in there; what comes around goes around. The lyrics don’t mention it but it reminded me, also, to “do unto others as I would have them do unto me” and “do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written, ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.” Tsk, tsk….anyone who knows us knows that we’re some of God’s favorites so I feel somewhat sorry for those who want to muck with us.
I’m going to keep hanging in there and keep my chin up. For every person who wants to see me down, there are a bunch more who keep me up and I want to do the same for them. I’m going to try to remember to focus on those friends and family instead how low those “other” people can make me feel. I hope you will hang in there with me.
Click on the album pic for the I-tunes link. You won’t be disappointed!
What’s not shared is lost,
Michelle
Music Monday – Friend Fest 2013
WOOHOO!!! Friend Fest at Amish Acres in Nappanee, IN is awesomesauce! I know there are LOTS of music festivals out there but the folks at WFRN did their homework and have created the most family-friendly Christian music event I have been to or read about. That this was just their second year is even more impressive. “What makes it so family-friendly?” you are wondering (I just know you are). Money, for one thing. Families want to take their families to worship with these A-MA-ZING bands but not everyone can afford all that a music festival entails, especially big families. You are usually nickeled and dimed for any and all amenities.
First, the biggie for us was food, if you want to call that an amenity. Friend Fest allows food to be brought in! I’ve not been to a festival that allowed you to bring food in. A friend just informed this weekend that another popular festival recently banned even eating in the parking lot. Say wha? No tailgating? Good grief… Food was available for purchase at Friend Fest, there was a water tent at the back of the field (only a buck a bottle!), snow cones and ice cream on a hot day were perfect (they even had vendors walking through the crowd selling ice cream out of a cooler). There was no lack of sweet, cold stuff. BUT we brought 9 kids with us. Purchasing food for 11 people is not cheap…even when buying cheap food. It adds up, dontcha know? We were able to keep our crew hydrated and nourished all day without paying out the wazoo. That we didn’t purchase food from Amish Acres didn’t seem to hurt their business; the food lines stayed busy and we saw plenty of folks munching on their yums. Meanwhile, our clan kept busy snacking on Capri Suns, strawberries, Cloud Cakes and a variety of other items we rarely indulge in then we dined on Pulled BBQ Pork, BBQ Beans and Sweet n Sour Broccoli Slaw. It’s nice having catering equipment to keep our vittles hot. 🙂 Did we make folks around us jealous? Maybe just a little. 🙂 That being said, we saved a fortune!
Secondly, there was no additional charge for the Kids Zone. There was even a Children’s Stage that featured juggling, an illusionist, illusions, music, puppetry and clowning around. Of course, the Bounc House area is a kid’s favorite part of the festival. I was a little disturbed, though, by the Gator Hide-and-Slide. The kids climb up into the gator’s mouth,
bounce around inside
then come out the back end.
When I went to take pics of my lovely children exiting the inflatable reptile, I didn’t find a slide as expected, I found a slit. I said, “Oh, unt uh…” Craig said, “Yep. That’s where they come out.” No no no…that’s messed up. I told my Lenae that the designer of said gator must not have liked kids. She quickly replied, “Or really likes them and knows how kids think. What kid wouldn’t love to say they were pooped out of an alligator?” She has a point.
Thirdly, free parking. Nuff said.
Fourthly, the Coffee House Stage. If you had attended Friend Fest and wanted to hear some other musicians and Break-Out Sessions with some of the Main Stage artists while using the, again, FREE Wi-Fi and drinking your gourmet coffee, this was the place for you.
#5 The Venue: Amish Acres is a fantastic location for an event like this! It’s clean, it’s lovely, it’s big! It’s also just 5 minutes away from Play-Mor Campground which means a lot to those of us who prefer “roughing it” in an air-conditioned camper. Primitive camping is available at Fountain Acres but that’s not roughing it to me. That’s dying a slow death of humidity and allergies. The only thing I would change is placing a canopy section in the rear for those who don’t want to melt especially those with children, “older” folks and those wearing walking casts whose legs get over heated…not that I know anyone like that.
Observe the hot children covered in 3 bottles of sunblock.
Sixthly, yes there’s more…The staff and volunteers were incredible friendly from the time you pull in to park. Some of the crazy antics of those directing parking had us smiling from ear to ear. Everyone was eager to assist, hospitable and, you could tell, happy to be there serving.
SEVEN: stewardship. I was tickled to read the following in the program: “It takes 3-4 years for a festival of this magnitude to sustain itself. Currently, ticket sales, sponsors and partners cover just 80% of the festival’s total expenses. We are almost there, yet it is still not quite enough.” 80% and it’s just the second year! They accomplished this without charging for parking, the Kids Zone, and every other little thing and without forcing folks to purchase their food. Kudos! As soon as I’m able, I hope to become a Friend Fest Partner. We need to sell more cheesecake.
Eight: Enough space for Ultimate Frisbee. The kids did mention that Frisbee to Building 429 made them feel like they were in a movie or a music video, LOL! They rawked, incidentally.
Nine: Friends. We drove 4 hours from home and ran into several friends. Many hugs were shared and, of course, Frisbee. It really was a Friend Fest! (Cheesy, I know).
And last, but not least, the music. We went Friday to see some of our favorites: Carrollton, Rhett Walker Band, For King and Country, Big Daddy Weave, Building 429 and Matthew West. If we had gone Saturday, we would have enjoyed OBB, Hyland, Moriah Peters, Finding Favour, Chris August, Kari Jobe, Jamie Grace, the Peter Furler Band and TobyMac. We opted for some R&R with the kiddos at the campground. That aside, the weekend held a high-caliber line-up that did not disappoint. I CANNOT wait to hear next year’s line-up!!!
(What? No pics from the bands?! That’s another post….;) )
Have you been to a music festival that was as family/pocketbook-friendly as this one? Let us all know!
What’s not shared is lost,
Michelle
Music Monday – When Mercy Found Me by the Rhett Walker Band
There’s really no need for commentary here but I have some anyway. This song chokes me up. Anyone who has been found chokes up when they hear it. If you claim to be a Christian and you don’t choke up when you hear this song, I seriously question if you have wrapped your brain around grace. Just sayin’.
I wear out this song out because it reminds me that even though Mercy found me, I will manage to lose myself in my bad habits, my worries, loneliness, temptations and fears again and again. When I do, I have the comfort of knowing that Mercy knows where to find me even if I don’t and, though it’s stupid to ever leave Jesus arms, they’re ALWAYS open, ready and waiting for me when I’m prone to wander. I know that’s not necessarily what Mr. Walker wrote into this song but it’s what I take with me. Here’s the story behind the song:
Here’s the song. Even if you know it, read the lyrics again…and get choked up:
Did I mention I wear this song out? Heck, I wear out the whole CD. Rhett has an intense voice and style, the band has great synergy and there’s not a song on Come To The River that I don’t love. I own so many CDs that I skip around to hear my favorites but not this one; it’s played straight through then started over again.
I cannot wait to see the Rhett Walker Band in concert again! If you’re not a Certified Rhettneck, yet, you need to get on the bandwagon!
What’s not shared is lost,
Michelle
Music Monday – The Last Bison/ Switzerland
I’ve been expanding my musical horizons over the past year or two. Partly due to the fact that when we opened our catering kitchen, we discovered that we had G101.3 parked, pretty much, in our backyard and we rarely can get anything else in on our little radio/I-home. For years, I’ve stuck pretty much to Christian music (especially, of course, my all-time favorite band Third Day, duh), which isn’t a bad thing at all. There’s a lot of crappy music “out there.” On the other hand, there are some amazing musicians in this world that aren’t in the Christian music genre and they are worth listening to. My horizons have also been expanded by friends who are music aficionados like my friend Brian who has a pretty nifty music blog over at Something For Your Ear Hole which is where I was introduced to Bison. Besides being a great read, Brian has an ear for great music and shares his opinions of the good, bad and ugly with honesty and wit. That being said, thanks for providing new and interesting waters to dip our feet in (as well as warning us of dangerous or boring waters to avoid). Back to The Last Bison; their website describes their style as “… an alternative folk band that refers to their music as Folk-chestral! Their spiritual and lyrical strength combines with authentic rootsy hooks that keep you singing along. Switzerland is the first song on the band’s debut album titled Quill.”
Without further adieu, I have been enjoying Switzerland immensely!
Let me know what you think – unless you don’t like this then go tell someone else because you, obviously, don’t have very good taste in music.
What’s not shared is lost,
Michelle
Music Monday – Rise Up
So on Wednesday after a discouraging election, I got online and hit Twitter. Twitter does provide information, laughs and conversation but what I needed I found via Matt Maher. A simple blog post for November 7. A couple of Scripture passages. I found encouragement and then I found the challenge, the call – his video for Rise Up. There are some who don’t understand why some of us see dark days ahead. Don’t worry, you will. Then you will need encouraged and empowered to push through. Come back here and join the rest of us in rising up with Mr. Maher.
Thank you and God bless you Matt Maher!
What’s not shared is lost,
Michelle
Music Monday – Mac Powell and the Backsliders!!
Being as that this Friday will find me in Indianapolis at the Old National Deluxe Theatre then on Saturday in Fort Wayne at the Neon Armadillo, AND being as that I am completely stoked about meeting up with friends to see Mac Powell doing his country thang at said venues, it is my responsibility, nay, my privilege to encourage the listening to of his incredible debut country cd, the purchasing of said cd and various fanphanalia, and attending a concert or two. I already know that I can anticipate concert excellence since Mr. Powell is the lead singer of my favorite band, Third Day, and I have been attending shows since 1997 so trust me, you don’t want to miss it!
Joining Mac as the The Backlsiders are Jason Hoard, Brandon Coker, Heath Balto, Andrew Amerson and Matthew Bailey. (BTW, Jason has been touring with Third Day and is one of the most gifted musicians and one of the friendliest guys you’ll ever meet!) After watching videos from this past weekends kick-off shows, I’m even more excited!
This gets me “right there.”
This isn’t on the cd but I love Tom Petty & I love this!
I would love to post videos for all of the songs I REALLY like from the CD but this post would become REALLY long so just one more. I REALLY, REALLY like Mississippi! Wearing this one out!
I was going to stop there but this is one of my favorite songs….ever:
June Bug, This Ain’t No Hobby, Julia Ann, Saturday Night, Do You Love Me….folks, I am pretty picky about the country I listen to. I can’t leave a country radio station on for long because most of it is lame IMHO. Even if I weren’t already a fan of Third Day, I would love this music. IF I had the chance to hear about it, that is, because, from what I understand, radio stations have this thing about the musicians they play being on certain labels or whatever. To that, I say, “Whateva!” If the music is good, you should play it and quit wearing out that generic nonsense. I’m just thankful I DO know about this awesomesauce country music and I’m sure others will appreciate finding out what their new favorite country artist is, too, so spread the word. That is all. You’re welcome.
Go to the website… NOW:
Concert dates are on the site – you’re welcome again.
Have a great Monday!
What’s not shared is lost,
Michelle
Can’t Help Falling in Love with You
It’s Music Monday!
I love the Piano Guys. I love Elvis. I love this.
Enjoy the goosebumps!
Michelle
Fird Day
My 3 y.o. looking at my desktop Third Day pic: “Oh, dat’s Fird Day. Dat’s da guitar guy (Mark Lee), dat’s the deer da deer guy (Tai Anderson) (the sound he makes for bass when Make Your Move comes on), dat’s da drumming guy (David Carr) ,dat’s da sing-song guy (Mac Powell) . You and daddy sit in the seat cuz if U stand on da stage, Third Day (fird day) will squish U.” Be afraid, be very afraid. How cool is it he knows who’s who? Not sure of the stage-violence logic, though…..
http://thethinkingcloset.wordpress.com/
Recipe For A Wild Thyme 