November 19, 2007

Keith Green

alt : http://www.youtube.com/v/h89-3_kIRDA&rel=1 Keith Green was 15 the first time he ran away from home. He was looking for musical adventure and spiritual truth. Keith had a Jewish background, but he grew up reading the New Testament. He called it "an odd combination" that left him open minded, but deeply unsatisfied. His journey led him to drugs, eastern mysticism, and free-love.

 When Keith was 19 he met a fellow seeker/musician named Melody. They were married a year later -- but his spiritual quest continued. When he had nearly given up hope, Keith found the truth at age 21 and he never looked back. What once confused him now made sense as he proudly told the world, “I'm a Jewish Christian." As soon as Keith opened his heart to Jesus, he and Melody opened their home to anyone with a need.  Anyone who wanted to kick drugs or get off the street was welcome and of course, they always heard plenty about Jesus.

Not only did Keith's life take a radical turn, but as an accomplished musician and songwriter, so did his music. His quest for stardom ended. His songs now reflected the absolute thrill of finding Jesus and seeing his own life radically changed. Keith's spiritual intensity not only took him beyond most people's comfort zones, but it constantly drove him even beyond himself. Somewhat reluctantly, Keith was thrust into a "John the Baptist" type ministry—calling believers to wake up, repent, and live a life that looked like what they said they believed.

Keith struggled with the same things we do—spiritual discipline, music to write, deadlines, problems crying for attention, and a growing family. He was also discipling the 70 believers who had come to be part of Last Days Ministries—the ministry he and Melody expanded from the outreach that began in their home.

In seven short years of knowing Jesus, the Lord took Keith from concert crowds of 20 or less—to stadiums of 12,000 people who came to worship with him. His recordings were chart topping—and when he began to give his recordings away for whatever people could afford, some misunderstood. Keith's heart was to please the Lord and build His kingdom, not his own.

At this time of great concert ministry and success, the Lord turned Keith's heart once again toward the lost. He wanted to go back out into the streets, the prisons, and the nations to reach those without God. He wanted to sing to them and tell them how much Jesus loved them. While doing just that on July 28, 1982, there was a small plane crash and Keith went home to be with Jesus. The crash also took the life of his three year old son Josiah, and his two year old daughter, Bethany. Melody was home with their one year old, Rebekah, and was six weeks pregnant with their fourth child, Rachel. Keith was only 28 years old.

The only music minister to whom the Lord will say, "Well done, thy good and faithful servant," is the one whose life proves what their lyrics are saying, and to whom music is the least important part of their life. Glorifying the only worthy One has to be a minister's most important goal! — Keith Green
Posted by Jim at 15:21:23 | Permanent Link | Comments (1) |
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1 - May it be the desire of each of who claim the name of Jesus as Savior to desire to make a difference in the lives of others for the sake of Christ!

Sandy (Comment this)

Written by: Sandy at 2007/11/20 - 00:25:40
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