Last night 2/17/2006 I attended a sold out concert for headliner Casting Crowns. What a unbelievable praise and worship experience. The evening began at 7:30 p.m. with Independence, KY native Josh Bates. Josh is an incredible talent and a great praise leader. Josh Bates website is here Check out Josh’s song Perfect Day on his website.
Immediately following Josh, Nicole Nordeman made her way to the stage. Brave the title cut is a tribute to parents and talks about leaving the status quo, and hope our kids make us want to be Brave. The song “What if Your Wrong” is a song inspired by a friend of Nichole’s that refuses to believe and accept Jesus as his savior. Her latest project is a wonderful praise and worship collection. Check out Nichole’s website here. Sample tracks from her project Brave are on the website.
Following Nichole, Tony Nolan, the tours pastor came out and warmed up the crowd for a few minutes (we will back to Tony soon) and then introduced Casting Crowns.
Casting Crowns did an awesome job of leading those in attendance to the throne of God. Beginning with Lifesong, the title cut off their latest project, ending the night with Glory. In between such convicting songs as “If We Are The Body”, “Voice Of Truth”. They presented their soon to be released video of “Stained Glass Masquerade” the message in this song is so real in the video presentation as the message in their video of “American Dream” that was previously released.
Tony Nolan at the conclusion of intermission presented the gospel message using a medical id bracelet. L.I.F.T The Great news is hundreds of those in attendance made the eternal decision to accept Jesus Christ and those making the decision last night will join us in heaven for all eternity. Tony’s website is located here.
The choice is black and white, it is either you acknowledge that you have sin in your life (we’re all sinners), accept that God loves you and sent his son Jesus Christ to live a sinless life on this earth and was crucified dead and buried but the great news is he was raised from the dead on the third day, he ascended into heaven and is sitting on the right hand of the Father at this moment.
Judgement day is coming, believe in John 3:16 and pray a simple prayer acknowledging God’s love, his sacrifice for your life, confess your sin, ask for forgiveness and believe, live a life pleasing to the father, and we will be together for all eternity. I digress.
Casting Crowns came back to the stage/alter and led us in worship until about 10:50 p.m. Last night the Ice Bears Hockey Arena became an unbelievable worship arena with the presence of Almighty God in our midst. Casting Crowns website is located here.
For those of you that have or do attend secular concerts and are used to cigarette lighters being used, well, last night, was my first concert witnessing the use of “the Christian Lighter”. If you have an interest in wanting to know what that is, comment and I will post later.
Great worship experience and Thanks to Casting Crowns, Tony Nolan, Nichole Nordeman and Josh Bates, pray for these guys and gals as they travel on the Lifesong tour. Tonight 2/18/2006, they are in Chattanooga, TN.
