Third Day in Jackson

To be honest, I had no idea when I planned to take my Sr. High students to Jackson to see Third Day in concert that I would enjoy it as much as I did. As a matter of fact I really expected to be disappointed. Having seen a lot of bands in concert in my short 35 years, I was prepared to be colored unimpressed. After all, I saw them back in the late 90's and while I enjoyed some of the show, I felt as if they were trying to justify what they did with an altar call and a sermon. And I hate the bait and switch. But the show I went to on Sunday night was nothing like it.

The show was phenomenal. The only other concert I could compare it to is U2 in St. Louis in November of '01. And this one might have been better for me but more on that later. Every facet of this show was great: the sound, lights, effects, intimacy with crowd, song choice...everything was enjoyable. Oh yeah and it was loud.

And my students loved it. They not only had fun but some were moved. And I do not have a group of kids easy to move. For them most everything is fodder for humor only. They are cursed with a lack of seriousness. But they seriously enjoyed this show and expect it too yield some results for spiritual growth.

And you see this is what I did not expect. A concert? It was a concert but there was more to it than that. There was a whole of praying and talking about real life between songs. No sermons, just honest heartfelt and not canned talking.

And I needed to hear it too. I am far too intellectual for my own good. And my desire to be the smartest guy in the room impedes my need for simple expressions of faith in Jesus. it may not be cool to sing...

I want to sing a song for You, Lord
Lord, for You I want to sing a song
And I want to lift my voice to Heaven
And listen to the angels sing along

A song of Your faithfulness
A song of Your grace
And of Your loving kindness
To the glory of Your name
With everything that's in me,
Lord Listen to me say
I want to sing a song for You
I want to sing a son

I want to live my life for You, Lord
Lord, for You I want to live my life
And I want to praise the name of Jesus
And Pray above all things You're glorified

And I sing about Your mercy
And I sing about Your love
Your goodness, Lord
Your righteousnessI want to sing

And we'll sing holy, holy, holy
We'll sing holy, holy, holy
We'll shout holy, holy
Are You Lord almighty

...But it sure was "good" (Psalm 147:1).