Come and join us!

Do you remember what He's called you out of? 

Do you remember where you were? 

Let us not take advantage of His love 

Lest we forget that we have been forgiven 

Without Him we can do nothing 

We gathered around an early evening backyard campfire at the home of brand new friends in Idaho.  Song time was about to commence.  As the guitar was being tuned, we asked our hosts if they knew any Petra songs.  

Eyes lit up, and a comment about not having heard a Petra song in years was made.

Red is the color of the blood that flowed

Down the face of Someone who loved us so

He's the perfect Man, He's the Lord's own Son

He's the lamb of God, He's the only One

That can give us life, that can make us grow

That can make the love between us flow

At evening devotions with friends in southern Mexico, while sharing favorite songs, our kids unanimously declared we must sing “Grave Robber”.   And so we did.  And now it is one of our friends’ favorite songs as well.

Many still mourn and many still weep

For those who they love who have fallen asleep

But we have this hope though our hearts may still ache

Just one shout from above and they all will awake

And in the reunion, what joy we will see

Death will be swallowed in sweet victory

Powerful words, powerful music, powerfully sung.  It only seemed fitting to us as newlyweds back in the ‘80s.  Songs by the christian music group Petra held common themes of valuing what God values, not being deceived, having faith in an almighty God, depending on him, praying.  

I lived an illusion with no one else to blame

I found a solution when I called on His name

I may not have money or riches 

but I found something better to be

To be a servant of Jesus, 

He means more than the world to me

I just want to be, I just want to be 

I just want to be His disciple

These were ideas with which we were not raised.  As we wore the dreaded “horse hoof” sounds into the cassettes by repeated play, the words and lessons were being impressed on our hearts. It was a means God used to encourage us in truth that is despised by the world.

Some say this life I live is only foolishness 

No waiting pot of gold in the faith that I possess 

But the treasures of this life will slowly turn to dust 

And this fool will find his gold in the Savior that I trust 

Fool's gold - it's waiting in a crown 

Fool's gold - in a city coming down 

I'll leave the gold I can't afford 

For the higher prize I'm pressing toward 

I'll preach the foolish cross of Christ 

And wait for my reward 

Fool's gold 

As children were added to our family, many of the analogies in the songs took on greater depth:  struggling with our own lack of self-discipline, the need to shift priorities, to care more for pleasing the Lord than pleasing men.  

And it takes so long to see the change

But we look around, and it seems so strange

We have come so far, but the journey's long

And we once were weak, but now we’re strong

As our children have grown, they have learned and loved these songs as well.  Petra put to music many truths, priorities and promises which they have been blessed to know from their earliest days.  

We love figuring out how to play and sing old favorites.  And so the idea grew...a Petra Sing Along night!

Our gracious friends at the Family Vision Library are excited to host this special evening, so we want to get out the word.  

Whether these songs are like old friends to you or you would just like some fresh encouragement from days gone by:  if you are in or near the Saint Louis metro, please come and join us! 

There's a Light over the horizon 

I'll keep walking down this road of hope 

Faithful in my prayer 

There's a Light over the horizon 

Though I may not know what lies ahead 

I know that you'll be there 

You'll be there

You won’t find the polish of seasoned road warriors, but we hope to make noise that somewhat resembles some of our favorite songs.  We will project the words and everyone can sing along.  We pray it will be a night of fellowship and refreshing as we encourage one another and praise the Lord with melodies from our hearts.  

You may be weary, but you gotta be leery 

When somebody says that you will never finish the race 

They can discourage but don't lose your courage 

You gotta narrow the margin and keep up the pace 

You gotta run for the prize

Don't look over your shoulder

Gotta keep your eyes

On the straight and narrow

Gotta run for the prize

There's no time to be wandering

Gotta make your way

Just as straight as an arrow

Please join us on Friday, March 16, at the Family Vision Library.  Bring snacks if you would like. And tell your friends!  

It would be fun and helpful to RSVP and suggest some of your favorite songs for us to consider as we compile our song list.  

More power to ya!