The Ken Read Podcast

Before the Reformation, the "work of the people" was being done by representatives, not by the people themselves. Have we forgotten once again that THE CHURCH is supposed to be the center of the singing?

I wrote this song many years ago, having the essence of it already together in a dream. A theory class helped to supply a missing line that same morning. It has been through several iterations since then, and last year I arranged it for the choir at Parkside Christian Church. Graciously, Katie and Daniel Read and Samantha and Josh Rutledge went through the work of doing a multitrack recording. This is my highest prayer. I hope it encourages you in your walk with God.

A final provocation: I grew up being judgmental of Roman Catholic buildings and holidays. Poor stewardship and secular priorities, I thought. Then I learned that Protestants spend far more on buildings than our Catholic friends ever have! And that when it comes to worship compromise on the altar of pragmatism, evangelicals are as given to idolatry as the Medieval Roman Catholic church was.

My personal spiritual journey, told for my grandchildren, and for anyone else. The introduction.

I was a relatively-good kid in a moral, loving home. If I wasn’t good, at least I was quiet enough to not be bad—not like some, anyhow. I got good grades in school, watched my manners, and respected my parents. I was also a slave to my addictions of pride, self-will, lust and ambition. I lied, cheated and selfishly went my own way.

Need proof?

Two godly grandmas--Chipper Grandmas and Fun Grandma--prayed for me and invested in my life in ways that I could never repay. Or, maybe I can. Lord, let me be as intentional with my own grandchildren as my grandmas were with me.

And so this spiritual orphan found a home in the local orphanage. The workers there became like family, and the discipleship process began.

Added to the influence of The Orphanage was The Greenhouse. Intentional peer-led groups was the single most influential activity to encourage my early spiritual growth.

This is offered in conjunction with the podcast about the Gadarene demoniac, found at the Bibletales podcast site.

Jesus Music was the merging of my musical heart language (folk/rock/jazz) with Christ-honoring lyrics. It spoke to me deeply, and I began to listen to and to create music in that genre.