Bait and Switch - A Christian Conundrum

This morning I listened to a C-SPAN interview with Frank Schaefer, the son of theologian Francis Schaefer. Mr. Schaefer ll was promoting his latest book "Crazy for God". The book is a memoir of his life growing up in the Christian community, L’Abri that was started by his parents.


L'Abri was a chalet located in Switzerland that was visited by tourists, those seeking the counsel and teaching Francis and Edith Schaefer and celebrity Christians. People were constantly coming and going. If any of you have ever lived in a community there is no privacy and no alone time. But I digress.

I've been thinking lately about several things and Frank Schaefer's words helped put both thoughts into perspective.

1. Why do our children turn out so differently than our expectations?

2. What has happened to the Church? Why have old friends gone in so many directions? Why do I cling to evangelical Protestantism and my wife clings to Catholicism? Who is right? Is there a right way or do both paths lead in the same direction?

As to my first thought I believe that there is a normal progression after childhood to be rebellious. You are testing out the waters of adulthood. You are demonstrating to your parents that I don't need you telling me what to do because I can handle life.

Shortly after this, life comes at you with all its fury. You get the papers to prove your new found freedom as an adult, i.e. car payment, utility bills, insurance payment, taxes are due notification along with subsequent late notices and penalties, the doctor is telling you that you are going to be a parent. This is LIFE whacking you up-side the head and putting things in perspective.

I have noticed that not only my own children, but the children of old friends and colleagues that had similar Christian experiences as myself seem to have children that seem rebellious to the principals and tenants we tried to guide them through. I do not have a solution. Perhaps there is no need for one. I pray for my kids and grandkids and I know that God directs them. As my own children are now in their third decade I see them becoming more receptive to God's direction in their lives. I trust in Him.

Frank Schaefer's book, "Crazy for God" addresses his rebellion with his family and the direction that his life subsequently took. As my wife is fond of saying, "It's all good stuff."

The second point is what happened to the Church?

I was first told that Christ died for my sin and offers a new chance. God has sent His Holy Spirit to guide me in His Ways. I need to read the Word of God, The Bible, go to Church, pray with and for others and trust God in all things. By being baptized and accepting Jesus into my heart I was now a Christian, a follower.

So in 1970 I became a born again Christian. One night when I was at a church I felt God reach out and grab me to announce to a crowd of strangers, "Yes I believe that Jesus Christ died for my sin and I want to be a part of the New Life He offers to me."

Shortly after that I joined a group of believers that were not affiliated with an established Church. Remember these were the days of The Jesus Movement. At the time, I learned that some of my new found friends had left their established church due to disagreement over church doctrines.

Wait a minute! What's this doctrine business? When I walked out into the frosty November Ohio River and was baptized, I was not shown any fine print about doctrine. Nobody told me about this!

When I felt the Spirit of God literally move me to the altar of that church on York Street in Newport, I didn't have any addendum fall out of the sky that said, "Please read carefully below, sign & date to acknowledge your understanding."

But as I grew, I learned that some folks worship God one way and some are more robust in their expression of worship. Some state you must be dunked, some dipped and some are sprinkled. Some places of worship are adorned with statues of men and women that were faithful and others do not want depictions of any human or animal form. 

There are places of worship don't want anyone playing a musical instrument. For example the Non-Instrumental Church of Christ while other churches seem to have been built around massive pipe organs.

I live and accept most of those examples. It is when The Church started imposing their doctrines of We are Right and those who disagree are going to hell. When the membership and pastorate of one group says "What's up with those who do not speak in tongues? They are losing out on so many blessings. What a bunch of losers." And then another group of believers says, "Those Christians that speak in tongues are a bunch of heathens. Let's keep them away from all of us true believers so we do not pollute the faithful."

These attitudes make me cringe.

I have also experienced acquaintances being told that they or their family member was not healed due to their lack of faith.

Through my walk in Christ, the small group that I was a part of splintered off into a larger group and then split again. My wife and I splintered into yet another group and were subsequently dismissed due to my wife's interest in Catholicism.

It is no small wonder that so many have been disenfranchised from the Church. And it is no small wonder that we are not eager to return. We discovered we were victims of the Bait and Switch strategy. Promise us one thing, Salvation...no strings attached, and then hit us with all the caveats.

The Jesus Movement became the Charismatic Movement and has been replaced by the Mega Church Movement. Linny and I recently went to a mega church and came away thinking, "Where is the worship?" Yet this group has two are three services each Sunday that draw crowds of two to three thousand people at each service.



A few years back my wife had contacted a local minister and we were invited to come to her church. The group had just come from a Benny Hinn Crusade and was talking about the wonders they had seen. In my humble opinion, Hinn is a snake oil salesman and should be run out of town on a rail.


With all respect celebrity Christians, I believe Jesus can work through them and we should glorify His Name, but not theirs. Any church group that is placing more emphasis on a man or woman's works and essentially mirroring them does not want me for a member. Any man or woman that is putting more emphasis on their name and works and not sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ is but a white-washed tomb.

My walk with the Lord has gone from simply "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved," to "Do that... and oh, by the way, here is the rest of the rules which are subject to change and management's discretion."

Frank Schaefer had enough of the evanglical/charismatic movement and joined the Greek Orthodox Church. He motive was stability.

Many years ago I met Duane Pedersen. Duane published the Hollywood Free Paper, an evangelistic newspaper that was at the forefront of the Jesus Movement. Duane went on later in life to become clergy in the Eastern Orthodox Church and was active in a prison ministry.

My wife Linny for years has been a convert to Roman Catholicism and has extensively studied the church. It is surprising how much more knowledge that she has than most of the priests or nuns we have spoken with throughout the years. These people have all turned from traditional evangelical Protestantism because of the myriad of ever-changing doctrines. With these older well established churches the rules are stable and not subject to the whims du jour of the leadership.

I hold tight to my original faith. I don't know where I will be lead. But I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and I trust in God Almighty. May God have mercy on His Flock.

You May Be A Christian

If you use the words, Discern, Fellowship or Praise God at least once a day...

You may be a Christian.

If the phrase, Washed in the Blood does not conjure up thoughts of a George Romero movie...

You may be a Christian.

If you do the Snoopy Dance while singing Praise songs...

You may be a Christian.

If a fun weekend involves a trip to the Family Bookstore...

You may be a Christian.

If you have a shelf full of Trax...

You may be a Christian.

If you know all seven verses of Amazing Grace by memory...

You may be a Christian.

Who is this guy?

If you know recognize the names Michael W. Smith, Russ Taff, Rich Mullins and Kathy Trocolli...



You may be a Christian.

If you are doing a study of Habakkuk and know this is not about a herb that causes weight loss...

You may be a Christian.

Young's for the young, Strong's for the strong and Cruden's for the crude

If you immediately know the meaning of Youngs, Strongs and Crudens...



You may be a Christian.

If you know the meanings of pre and post millenialism...

You may be a Christian.

And finally, if you pray for your enemies and those that curse you...

You may be a Christian.

Larry's Going Away Party

On 2008-03-01 05:42 PM, Dave Hollandsworth wrote on the Yahoo Jesus Music board,

"Someone (Greg from Portland) just sent me this... "

"What a gathering! Perhaps 500 (?) of us poured into a church in Salem, Oregon this morning to pay our respects to Larry. As we entered we were>handed 'circus programs' (instead of a boring pamphlet) that read:

"Larry Norman Presents: A Going Away Party."
We were also handed an "admit one" ticket, a sheet of paper on which we were to write notes to Larry's family, most notably any future grandchildren.


Also, depending on which door you entered by we were given an _Only Visiting this Planet_ (Inducted Into The Gospel [Music] Hall Of Fame 2001 version) or _In Another Land_ (30th Anniversary Edition) CD.


It was a gathering of friends, family and fans alike.


As people caught up with one another organ music filled the air. Then, all of a sudden...SCREEEEEEETCH! It was the sound of a record player needle ripping across vinyl. And then his voice that brought to mind these words he wrote:

"I ain't knocking the hymns,
Just give me a song that has a beat.
I ain't knocking the hymns,
Just give me a song that moves my feet."





The organ music was designed to be a "funeral march". So much so that I commented on it to a friend who attended the service with me.

The screech was followed by Larry's voice singing: "
I don't like none of those funeral marches
I ain't dead yet!"

What followed was a wonderful montage of music, photographs, and videos of Larry throughout his life. Friends and family spoke and there were a few performances. After it was all over we ate hot dogs, popcorn and Cracker Jacks and M&Ms. A party! Just like Larry wanted.

Thanks to Charles and Kristin for your efforts! I'm thinking of you.

There were few industry people there. I recognized Alex McDougal (drummer on Larry's 1979 tour) and Dan the keyboard player from his 1986 tour. Donnie and Michael Gossett from Salvation Air Force were also in attendance. I also saw one reporter.

Some of the most memorable moments for me were:

The Program cover

A pastor from Portsmouth who started his first speaking segment with a word given to him by the Lord: phenomenal. Larry was phenomenal because he served a phenomenal God. He also sang (he was the first to admit that he doesn't sing well) the first song he heard Larry Sing "Sweet, Sweet Song of Salvation." he encouraged us to join him on the choruses.

An old school friend of Larry's, said that we live life as a dash. When you look at a gravestone you see the birth year and year of death separated by a dash. The years are not important, it's the dash that is important. Larry had a great dash.

Kristin Norman (Charles' wife) and her musical partner in the Fjord Motor Company sang a few Norwegian folk songs that Larry enjoyed accompanied by a saw player and later Larry's brother, Charles Norman.

Larry's sisters, Nancy and Kristi sang a song that Larry wrote about a trip to the circus to end the tributes.

The pastor from Portsmouth closed the speaking moments off reminding us that we need to live our lives out loud.

After this, we got to do a karakoe (following a bouncing ball until the guitar solo) to "The Rock That Doesn't Roll". Everyone was singing, and a few tears were flowing as well.





The closing photo and video montage was amazing. "The Sun Began to Rain" was played over photos of a Larry up to about age five. The slightly older Larry was backed by one of Larry's rarities--can't recall the title.

Then "Looking for the footprints" backed late teens/late 1960s photos. Then the seventies and eighties and photos and video footage.

The photo that they left us with was one taken from behind Larry during a performance, from about where the drum kit should have been. It was black and white and all you could see was spotlight on Larry and Larry standing with his guitar. I suspect it was from the seventies but could have been any time early in his career.  See you there Larry.

Them Ol' And Dangerous Days Of My Youth

Cincinnati Skyline in the 1950's

I know my kids won't believe this and my grand kids won't fathom this, but when I was a little guy, living in Fort Thomas Kentucky, the sky was so clear, I could see the Cincinnati skyline from the picture window in my living room.

Playing at night

I used to play with my friends, outdoors, all day long without telling my folks where I was and they didn't even worry.

Calling Children

I didn't have to carry a cellphone so Mom could find me. 'didn't need to. At supper she would open up the back door and yell, "Markie! Supper's Ready!!!" I could hear her 4 blocks away.

I had toy cars similar to these

We had lead everywhere. Lead paint. Lead gasoline. Toys were made of lead.

Leaded Gasoline

One of the greatest smells in the world was pumping leaded gas into the tank of your car. It was worth the 25 cents a gallon price just to enjoy that lovely smell.

Mercurochrome

Let's talk Mercury. We used to have this wonder drug that Mom would paint on all your scrapes and cuts. It was called Mercurochrome. It was also called Merthiolate in it's generic version. Back then we didn't know what generic meant. Mercurochrome was not nearly as dangerous as Iodine. That was what Grandma put on my Mom's scrapes and cuts.

Wally and The Beaver

It was highly poisonous when ingested. However Mom knew not to drink it. Mercurochrome contained a key ingredient called Merbromin which contained traces of Mercury. This was the same Mercury that is found in silver dental fillings of that era. Leaded gas, no pollution control devices on cars and poisonous medicine and paint.........Ah! Life in the 1950's was good.

Larry Norman - Home At Last

Larry Norman was a Jesus Freak long before there were Jesus Freaks. When most of us were listening to rock music in the late 1960's and 1970's, Larry was writing music about The Rock. He became a standard bearer for a whole generation and gave us tunes to go with the words.

He stumbled along the way. But don't we all? It's a journey. Larry held true to his God and to his art. He was the real deal. He was the good seed that grew and flourished.

Larry went home to be with The Lord this past Sunday morning.


Here is Larry's own last words.

I feel like a prize in a box of cracker jacks with God's hand reaching down to pick me up. I have been under medical care for months. My wounds are getting bigger. I have trouble breathing. I am ready to fly home.

My brother Charles is right, I won't be here much longer. I can't do anything about it. My heart is too weak. I want to say goodbye to everyone. In the past you have generously supported me with prayer and finance and we will probably still need financial help.

My plan is to be buried in a simple pine box with some flowers inside. But still it will be costly because of funeral arrangement, transportation to the gravesite, entombment, coordination, legal papers etc. However money is not really what I need, I want to say I love you.

I'd like to push back the darkness with my bravest effort. There will be a funeral posted here on the website, in case some of you want to attend. We are not sure of the date when I will die.

Goodbye, farewell, we will meet again.
Goodbye, farewell, we'll meet again
Somewhere beyond the sky.
I pray that you will stay with God
Goodbye, my friends, goodbye.

~Larry~

Say What?

A Mormon,














a Baptist Minister

and a liberal Republican walk into a bar.

















Hey, it could happen!

Music From The Jesus House

My good friend Randy Moody recently sent me a package that contained some recording made by people who played at the Jesus House.



The Jesus House was located in the Mt. Healthy neighborhood of Cincinnati Ohio. In the early 1970's when the Jesus Movement was very much a part of this nation's culture, the Jesus House was a wonderful place to go, listen to live music, hear about God's love for His people and study the Bible.


As a young man I loved to go there on a Saturday night, sit on the floor and listen to whoever was playing music that evening. Quite a few times I happened to be the musician, either doing a solo or with my friend Doug Abbott playing upright bass. Later on I played along with Kent Odor and a few other friends.




Those were great times and Randy tape recorded several different folks and this brought back a flood of good memories. It was so nice to hear Mike Wilshire's voice accompianied by his old 1940's Martin 00-17 mahogany guitar. Mike was joined by Mike Haviland and Paul Niehaus, who I almost forgot about. I recall bumping into Mike Haviland at Lammar's Music Store on Walnut Street in Cincinnati and discussing soprano saxaphones. Also on the CD's were some songs by Prodigal from back in the day.

Covenant was another group that frequented the Jesus House. My buddy Kent Odor lived at the house and Kent, Bob Clarke and Wayne Burns performed for a while as a trio and they were included. A very young Rich Mullins played the big old out-of-tune green Jesus House upright piano and made it sing and his songs gave you goose-bumps.

I made a couple of observations from listening to this music. First of all was just how young we were and how we were filled with so much energy and devotion. A lot of the songs were so moving and showed our young faith. Mike Wilshire had such a beautiful voice and was an excellent fingerstyle guitarist. However some of the tunes were slow and moody. But that actually reflected the warmth of the Jesus House.


Anyway, I have gone through my box-a-old tape cassettes and reel to reel tapes and discovered a pretty good old collection of my songs. I'm going to duplicate that tape and send it to Randy.


I've also got the urge to put together a definitive collection of songs that I have written through the years. So I have repaired my ancient Ensoniq synthesizer and made all the apropriate MIDI connections to my Yamaha DX100 and RX something-or-other drum synth.

It took about a week to remember how to work the sequencer and another week to remember how to play keyboard. Well...I'm not really a keyboard player, but I know enough from music theory to play chord inversions, passing notes etc. So far I've pieced together five songs that have taken up all the sequencer memory.

Now I have to dump those and dig out my old 4 track recorder and play the guitar and vocal parts. Then I'll put together some more songs in similar fashion and get them on tape. It's an enjoyable work.