Larry Norman 1947-2008

My first email this morning was a link here.
I grew up going to church from the time I was tiny. A square, stone, red carpeted Methodist church where everyone wore a suit or a dress and we sang all five verses of the hymn accompanied by an ORGAN. Nary a guitar or overhead projector or praise chorus to be seen. It was a nice place to grow up, when I was ten years old and the world was uncomplicated.

High school proved to be a less friendly place. Figuring out who you are and where the faith of your childhood fits in can be tricky. I made new friends. These new friends started making me tapes. And I was introduced to a world of music I didn't know existed. Music that talked about God but also talked about life, about our imperfect brokenness and the hypocrisies that exist. No more five-verses in a pew. This was music that went out into the world and came back with a report. And the report wasn't always pretty.

Larry Norman is often called the Father of Christian Rock. I kind of get the impression he rolled his eyes when people would say that. He didn't have an easy life. Being 'the Father' didn't earn him all kinds of money. Despite terrible health problems that worsened over years he was out there sharing and encouraging and singing. He spent himself up letting us know that even when it is very hard to see Him, God is there. Thank you, Larry. See you when I get home.