I got to take Sarah to the Danny Gokey concert tonight (last night) for her birthday. We had so much fun! I was actually surprised at how great it was.
I did not realize so much about the artist. I knew he was widowed and that many of his songs deal with grief and hope. But that was about the extent of it.
This concert was so timely for us. Sarah really wanted to go so the younger children gave her her ticket for her birthday yesterday. We had hoped to get the meet and greet ticket, but they were all sold out.
She was still super excited to go, though. One of the first things they did, before the concert started, was, one of the sponsors came out on stage to do a giveaway. It was the only one of the whole night. He asked if anyone was there celebrating their birthday. 😂 Of course, there were several, but he picked Sarah. She won 3 Danny Gokey CDs and his new biography.
Then, towards the end of the concert we ended up with wristbands to get a photo with him. Go figure!
We got to speak with him a little and, I have to say, I was very impressed with him.
Before tonight, I had really just looked at him as an entertainer who had experienced some hard times and had some understanding. But after seeing and hearing more of his heart and the things he is involved in, I realize that God has given him a powerful ministry and I'm happy to support it!
During part of the concert where he was sharing his heart, he talked about Isaiah 43, when God was bringing the Israelites out of captivity and working new things in their lives. He says, "Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."
Danny said it like this, "Forget yesterday. God is doing a new work in you. Will you perceive it? Don't let yourself get so caught up in yesterdays or in fears or failures, that you become UNABLE to see good when God brings it."
Some things that are really important to him are, sharing the Gospel, helping those in need, supporting children, and he has started a new TV show to help non-profits. The idea is to spotlight a different non-profit ministry with each show and get them the things they need to continue doing the work Christ has called them to. It's pretty impressive...
I also really enjoyed Tauren Wells. Man, that guy is ENERGETIC!!!! I really liked his song, "Known," and talked about the importance of being open, honest, and transparent in our relationships. He borrowed from Timothy Keller, saying, "To be loved but not known is comforting but superficial. To be known and not loved is our greatest fear. But to be fully known and truly loved is our greatest need." (Keller's exact quote is: "To be loved but not known is comforting but superficial. To be known and not loved is our greatest fear. But to be fully known and truly loved is, well, a lot like being loved by God. It is what we need more than anything. It liberates us from pretense, humbles us out of our self-righteousness, and fortifies us for any difficulty life can throw at us."
Later, Danny sang a sweet song that he wrote for his current wife called, "Better Than Gold." I LOVED IT! So sweet! He also sang a new song that hasn't been released yet. It's going to quickly become one of my new favorites! It's called, "Just Haven't Seen It Yet," and it's about expectations and holding on to hope, even after you've been praying for a long time. The best is yet to come...
I also really enjoyed Tauren Wells. Man, that guy is ENERGETIC!!!! I really liked his song, "Known," and talked about the importance of being open, honest, and transparent in our relationships. He borrowed from Timothy Keller, saying, "To be loved but not known is comforting but superficial. To be known and not loved is our greatest fear. But to be fully known and truly loved is our greatest need." (Keller's exact quote is: "To be loved but not known is comforting but superficial. To be known and not loved is our greatest fear. But to be fully known and truly loved is, well, a lot like being loved by God. It is what we need more than anything. It liberates us from pretense, humbles us out of our self-righteousness, and fortifies us for any difficulty life can throw at us."
Later, Danny sang a sweet song that he wrote for his current wife called, "Better Than Gold." I LOVED IT! So sweet! He also sang a new song that hasn't been released yet. It's going to quickly become one of my new favorites! It's called, "Just Haven't Seen It Yet," and it's about expectations and holding on to hope, even after you've been praying for a long time. The best is yet to come...
I think that I'll share a few of my favorite songs by him over the next few days. Of course, I'm starting with the one that introduced us to his music, "Tell Your Heart to Beat Again."
You're shattered
Like you've never been before
The life you knew
In a thousand pieces on the floor
And words fall short in times like these
When this world drives you to your knees
You think you're never gonna get back
To the you that used to be
Like you've never been before
The life you knew
In a thousand pieces on the floor
And words fall short in times like these
When this world drives you to your knees
You think you're never gonna get back
To the you that used to be
Tell your heart to beat again
Close your eyes and breathe it in
Let the shadows fall away
Step into the light of grace
Yesterday's a closing door
You don't live there anymore
Say goodbye to where you've been
And tell your heart to beat again
Close your eyes and breathe it in
Let the shadows fall away
Step into the light of grace
Yesterday's a closing door
You don't live there anymore
Say goodbye to where you've been
And tell your heart to beat again
Beginning
Just let that word wash over you
It's alright now
Love's healing hands have pulled you through
So get back up, take step one
Leave the darkness, feel the sun
'Cause your story's far from over
And your journey's just begun
Just let that word wash over you
It's alright now
Love's healing hands have pulled you through
So get back up, take step one
Leave the darkness, feel the sun
'Cause your story's far from over
And your journey's just begun
Tell your heart to beat again
Close your eyes and breathe it in
Let the shadows fall away
Step into the light of grace
Yesterday's a closing door
You don't live there anymore
Say goodbye to where you've been
And tell your heart to beat again
Close your eyes and breathe it in
Let the shadows fall away
Step into the light of grace
Yesterday's a closing door
You don't live there anymore
Say goodbye to where you've been
And tell your heart to beat again
