From Rock Guitar Hero to Jesus Music Pioneer

 

Phil Keaggy had a decent following and an expanding reputation as an amazing guitarist as part of a late-60s / early 70s rock power trio, Glass Harp.

Then he met Jesus. And nothing has been the same since.

As a musician, Keaggy began expressing the joy of his newfound faith through the songs he wrote and performed. That didn't fit so well in the context of Glass Harp, so Phil went solo and ended up being part of the Mount Rushmore of Jesus Music/Contemporary Christian Music.

Mount Rushmore of Jesus Music:
Larry Norman, Andrea Crouch, Honeytree, Phil Keaggy

Keaggy's first solo album was, as the album cover states, "written, arranged, produced, and performed by Phil Keaggy." Every note, every word, every percussive tap and melodic pluck was Phil Keaggy expressing his love, joy, and hope in the Lord.

Today, and for the next eight weeks, Truth Is... will meditate on the songs of that album, What a Day.

First up, "That Is What the Lord Will Do for You":

Winter's here, autumn's gone

Leaves have fallen

It's the season before the dawn

Spring is calling

And as winter comes to an end

Spring brings life again

Born again, given life anew

That is what the Lord will do for you

Just in case you haven't heard

In the beginning was the Word

And the Word was with God

And the Word was God

He gives life to all mankind

He gives sight to the blind

Able to see, able to start anew

Life and that is what He'll give to you

And it's free

All you have to do is believe

That He loves you

Died for you, is ever more alive for you

There is something about the wind

And how it blows

Where it's coming from and then where it goes

There's no doubt when you hear it

There's no doubt when you're born of the Spirit

Born again, given new life anew

That is what the Lord will do for you

https://youtu.be/UVCEL-POPrI?si=w1crHFfHKTNLc_us

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Truth is...Having been "born again" for more than a few years, I must admit that this sense of resurrection and joy and being filled with the life of Christ is something that is not "one and done." Every day, Lord Jesus, keep me aware of how dead I was without you and how you conquered death...not just for yourself, but for me, too.

The Secret to a Clean Slate

 

Take a break.

Try to set aside all the things flying around in your head right now. I have something for you to focus on for a couple minutes.

Think of the things you've done that you know God's not happy with. The old-school term is sin. Think about that.

Think about how the things you have done or left undone are the reasons Jesus went to the cross. Think about all the things that give God every right to turn his back on you.

Seriously. Make a list if you have to.

And now...consider how the death of Jesus wipes that slate clean.

As far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

Psalm 103:12 (CSB)

Now...take another break.

Think of the things people have done that you are not happy with...how people have disappointed you, disrespected you, and even betrayed you.

Seriously. Make a list if you have to.

Is there anything on this second list that is worse than what's on the first?

Be honest.

Is there anything on the second list that would send anybody to hell faster than what's on the first?

And now...consider what your attitude should be.

I forgave you all that debt because you begged me.
Shouldn’t you also have had mercy
on your fellow servant,
as I had mercy on you?

Matthew 18:32-33 (CSB)

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Truth is...Forgiving others their wrongs against you is not only "fair play". It is absolutely necessary if you want Yahweh to forgive you. "For if you forgive others their offenses, your heavenly Father will forgive you as well. But if you don’t forgive others, your Father will not forgive your offenses." (Matthew 6:14-15 CSB)

Bound to Come Some Trouble

 

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens — Jesus the Son of God — let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin. Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.

Hebrews 4:14-16 (CSB)

These verses remind me of the Rich Mullins song, "Bound to Come Some Trouble."

There's bound to come some trouble to your life
But that ain't nothing to be afraid of
There's bound to come some trouble to your life
But that ain't no reason to fear
I know there's bound to come some trouble to your life
But reach out to Jesus, hold on tight
He's been there before and He knows what it's like
You'll find He's there

There's bound to come some tears up in your eyes
That ain't nothing to be ashamed of
I know there's bound to come some tears up in your eyes
That ain't no reason to fear
I know there's bound to come some tears up in your eyes
Reach out to Jesus, hold on tight
He's been there before and He knows what it's like
You'll find He's there

Now people say maybe things will get better
People say maybe it won't be long
And people say maybe you'll wake up tomorrow
And it'll all be gone
Well I only know that maybes just ain't enough
When you need something to hold on
There's only one thing that's clear

I know there's bound to come some trouble to your life
But that ain't nothing to be afraid of
I know there's bound to come some tears up in your eyes
That ain't no reason to fear
I know there's bound to come some trouble to your life
Reach out to Jesus, hold on tight
He's been there before and He knows what it's like
You'll find He's there

https://youtu.be/60soztE8GOE?si=QWQBhBbMQUHDCQiN

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Truth is...From time to time, each of us feels like we are alone in our life experience, like there's nobody who could possibly understand or empathize. Well ... hold on tight, because ... you know ... Jesus.

The Parable of the Eagle and the Crow

 

I stole the following from a digital creator on Facebook by the name of Greg Street. Where he stole it from or whether it is original with him is a mystery that will remain unsolved.

The crow is the only bird bold enough to sit on the eagle's back and peck at its neck.

Relentless. Annoying.

But the eagle... stays calm.

The eagle doesn't flap. Doesn't fight. Doesn't waste energy. It does one thing: It rises.

The higher the eagle soars, the thinner the air becomes. The crow? It can't handle the altitude.

Eventually, the crow gasps, loses strength...and falls off; not because the eagle attacked, but because the eagle ascended.

Let the crows talk. Let them peck. You don't have to respond. Just keep going higher. They can't follow you forever. Your growth will suffocate their noise. So don't engage. Elevate.

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Truth is...It's no fun being pestered by the crows of this world, but if I can use it to motivate me to fly closer to the Lord? Hit me with your best shot.