Larry Norman Message Board

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Larry Norman -> Larry Norman -> Its All About Heart
Post Info TOPIC: Its All About Heart
Bill Seper

Date:
Its All About Heart
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I'm almost at a loss for words, and yet I must say something. While the Jesus Movement had already died out on the coast, it was still going strong here in the Midwest during the early to mid 70's. I got drawn in during the summer of 75 between my junior and senior years of high school. I've always counted those times as the best of my life. I thought then that it was the people I had met and looked up to, most of them a bit older than myself, that made it what it was. I was wrong. Many of those folks are long gone, and many are away from God. Looking back on it there was more of a pseudo-mystical thing going on in the Jesus Movement camp which eventually turned into today's Evangelical camp with many of the same trappings. It saddens me to think of the nonsense that passes for Christianity today in so many corners of Christendom. I think it saddened Larry Norman too, although we undoubtedly would not see eye to eye on some issues. But I never doubted Larry's heart. I listened intently to his songs back then, and they were a major source of comfort, joy, and encouragement when I really needed it.

 I was just learning to play the guitar in those days. I actually learned by watching other guys I knew at home meetings and such. The Jesus Movement was a Godsend to me in so many ways even though I look back on the movement itself with a certain trepidation now. Some of the musicians I met then were certainly not all they were cracked up to be as Christians and still aren't. If most people had any idea of the bickering that often went on behind the scenes they would likely be shocked. But there were a small handful of Christian musicians I met (particularly Pat Terry) who left such an imprint on my soul that I knew then, as I know now, that my meeting many of them was not an accident. Larry's music, especially the earlier material, had the one thing that most other Christian musicians records didn't have--heart. There was a God felt sincerity, something that could be felt as much as the music itself like a subtext to a story. It was undeniable. I always hoped I would one day bump into Larry at a concert or festival, but our paths never crossed. They will.

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Keith M

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I remember you Bill. I still have a TM album you played on. It's good to see you're still at it. I enjoyed your comments here, and I agree with them. There's so little heart in Christian music. It's rare when you see it as in Larry's case.

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Michelle Bexley

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Hi Bill, I saw you with Johnny Cash when I was in the 7th grade at 6 flags. It makes me very glad to know that you appreciated Larry Norman's music so much too! I will miss him as much as I miss June and Johnny. All my heroes are dead.

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