Randy Travis: Music Ministry... Is that what you alarm what Im doin?

 31 December 18:00   

    Randy Travis: "Music Ministry... Is that what you alarm what I m doin ?"    by David Lingner

     "Listening and experiencing Randy s achievement was absolutely all I had accepted and more... but little did I apprehend that I would be impacted by something in a added abstruse way..."

     We had been cat-and-mouse for this day for a month. Getting big Randy Travis fans, my ancestors and I accustomed at the concert two hours afore they opened the doors to let association in... authoritative abiding we would get primo seats. Of advance we were in the first dozen association to get there. (This is a accepted Lingner convenance as we were the first association at Cool Basin XXVI if my brother Adam was arena in it.) I accept consistently admired Randy, but in the accomplished year this "liking" has angry into a abounding fledged account for him as he now uses his ability for the Lord. I ve asset wore out his endure two CD s "Rise and Shine" and "Worship and Faith."

    You accept to accept that my ancestors all plays acceptable instruments. I play banjo, guitar, harmonica, a little mandolin and just about annihilation with strings on it. (I even "fiddle" about a little.) My oldest babe Laura(11)plays accordian and a little fiddle, my additional babe Summer(10) plays dabble and a little mandolin, my son Christian(8) plays mandolin and a little banjo, my son Teddy(6) just best up dobro, Andrew(4) plays shaker... and my one year old Nathan just kinda bounces up and down while we play. We play old-time acceptable tunes and hymns, appropriately our acknowledgment for Randy Travis accoustic music, and down home country style.

    They let us into the concert about an hour afore appearance time. We talked amidst ourselves, consistently discussing our action at the befalling to apprehend and see Randy sing. Then the awful advancing moment assuredly arrived. Randy came out, best up his colossal physique accoustic and began to play and sing. He sounds just as acceptable in concert as he does on his recording... his bland articulation sliding calmly from the bass annals to the tenor range... in that way alone Randy Travis can do it. I couldn t accept it, actuality I was watching Randy Travis in an affectionate setting, about like he was in my active room.

    Listening and experiencing Randy s achievement was absolutely all I had accepted and more... but little did I apprehend that I would be impacted by something in a added abstruse way...

     Amid through the performance, Randy took a breach from arena to accept an account with First Ancestors Abbey s Pastor, Jerry Johnston and his wife Christie. Randy proceeded to accord his testimony.... of growing up as an angry, disorderly youth... generally in agitation with the law and beneath the access of apperception altering substances. He was shootin straight... he wasn t aggravating to fool anyone here... authoritative you anticipate he s is something he s not. I had heard Randy s affidavit before, so that was no absolute shock to me. Then he aggregate how the Aristocrat had impacted his life. How absolutely by fate, God was using his ability for His glory. He was infact taken aback the first time he heard anyone alarm his abbey performances "music ministry"... he said to himself... "music ministry... is that what you alarm what I m doin ?". Then he presented the Gospel... quoted a few verses... annihilation fancy... and I abhorrence to say it, but it about seemed arid and banausic to me.

    Then the amazing affair happened....

    Jerry Johnston took the microphone, and asked if anyone would like to acquire Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. And you understand what ... they did. I anticipate it is safe to say that 75-100 humans accustomed Christ that night. I was awestruck. There was no adorned preaching... a simple story... and a abbreviate Actuality message. But the fields were accomplished for harvest. It was a admonition to me that sometimes all we charge to do is ask. Some sow, and some acquire the harvest.

    Sure it was a abundant concert. But it wasn t the acquaintance of the music which connected to bell with me afterwards I left. It was the appulse of a body who has accustomed his talents to the Aristocrat for His use. Randy Travis ain t just singin anymore... he s doin music ministry...