Most powerful stuff

J Dan Brown · Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2008 5:51 am Post subject: Most powerful stuff

"Asleep in the Light" Keith Green

Do you see, do you see all the people sinking down.
Don't you care, don't you care are you gonna let them drown.
How can you be do numb not to care if they come
You close your eyes and pretend the job's done.

"Oh bless me Lord, bless me Lord" you know it's all I ever hear.
No one aches, no one hurts , no one even sheds one tear.
But He cries, He weeps, He bleeds and He cares for you needs.
And you just lay back and keep soaking it in,
Oh can't you see it's such a sin?

'Cause He brings people to you door and you turn them away.
As you smile and say "God bless you, be at peace,"
And all heven just weeps 'cause Jesus came to you door,
And you've left Him out on the streets.

Open up open up and give yourself away.
You see the need, you hear the cries so how can you delay?
God's calling and you're the one, but like Jonah you run.
He's told you to speak but you keep holding it in.
Oh, can't you see it's such a sin?

The world is sleeping in the dark that the church just can't fight,
'cause it's asleep in the light.
How can you be so dead when you've been so well fed?
Jesus rose from the grave and you, you can't even get out of bed.
Oh, Jesus rose from the dead, come on get out of your bed!

How can you be so numb not to care if they come?
You close your eyes and pretend the job's done.
You close your eyes and pretend the job's done.
Don't close your eyes, don't pretend the jobs done!
Come away, come away, come away with me my love.
Come away, come away, come away with me my love"

This song still brings raised eyebrows, when I dig it out and use it, whether it's at a church or in my music ministry out in the world. And I find it to be just as true or more today as it was over 30 years ago when it was written. We are in the last days, after all.
Blessed, called and your floving, faithful big brother in Christ, Mr. Dan

Bates15 · Moderator Joined: 19 Feb 2002 Posts: 1084

Great song indeed. We were asked to sing it after our pastor preached a couple of months ago, It made his point in one song!

J Dan Brown · Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2008 11:18 am Post subject:

Nate, it blesses me to know that I'm not the only guy who still appreciates Mr. Green's wisdom and his heart for the church. He has written so many great songs. I know now that God knew what he was doing, but Keith's death in such a tragic way with his children made me doubt God's sovereignty for a few years. I can see now that his work still goes on even 25 years after his death, maybe even more so than if he were still with us.

“When I Hear the Praises Start" (Keith Green)

1) My son, My son, why are you striving?
You can’t add one thing to what’s been done for you!
I did it all while I was dying!
Rest in your faith, My peace will come to you!

Chorus)
For when I hear the praises start, I wanna rain upon you,
Blessings that will fill your heart. I see no stain upon you.
You are My child and you know me, to Me you’re only holy.
Nothing that you’ve done will remain except for what you do for Me!

2) My child, My child, why are you weeping?
You will not have to wait forever.
That day and that hour is in My keeping!
That day I’ll bring you into heaven!

Chorus)

3) My precious bride, that day is nearing,
When I will take you in My arms and hold you!
I know there’s so many things that you’ve been hearing.
But you just hold on to what I’ve told you!

Chorus)

Blessed, to have seen the man once before God called him home, Dan

J Dan Brown · Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2008 7:26 pm Post subject:

Keith Green was Jewish, growing up in a Christ-less world created for him by his parents and I suppose was never successful in convincing them of the truth. It evidently always tormented him, knowing that they never knew the only way to heaven was through the true Savior. His anguish was clear in the lyrics to this song:

Song To My Parents by Keith Green

I need to say these things 'cause, I love you so,
And I'm sorry you get angry when I say that, you just don't know,
But there's a Heaven waiting for you and me.
I know it seems every time we talk I'm only trying to just make you see.
And it's only that I care, I really only want just to see you there.

Please try and overlook my human side,
I know I'm such a bad example and you know I'm so full of pride.
But Jesus isn't like that, now He's perfect all the way,
I guess that's why we need him, 'cause by ourselves, there's just no way.
And it's only that I care, I really, really only just want to see you there.
To see you there.

Close the doors, there're just not coming.
We sent the invitations out a long, long, long time ago.
We're still gonna have a wedding feast,
Big enough to beat them all.
The greatest people in the world just wouldn't come,
So now we'll just have to invite the small.
And it's only that I care, I really, really only want just to see you there.

Isn't that Jesus? Isn't it Joseph and Mary's son?
Well didn't he grow up right here? He played with our children.
What, he must be kidding? Thinks he a prophet.
But prophets don't grow up from little boys.
Do they, from little boys? Do they?

Well, as you can tell, this man's songs have made a great impression on me and my ministry. I have so many other Christian songwriters that I admire and feel are called by the Lord, but think none have touched my heart and life as this man. I love you guys!
Blessed, to live in a world that Christ can rule, Dan