Sandi Patty returns to Oklahoma
Pat Gilliand reviewed the concert in The Oklahoman. She shares more thoughts from the event below.
Part of the proof of the power of the Sandi Patty and Friends event is that it made me want to tell others about it. And what better way than to write a brief review? That’s what I found myself thinking during and after Tuesday’s concert at Crossings Community Church. But I didn’t realize just how brief it would have to be! So, here’s at least some of the rest of the story. I didn’t take notes, but the impressions remain strong.
Patty has a magnificent voice and stage presence. Especially on favorite hymns and the many songs of praise she recorded, the sound seems to flow from her soul. I loved a medley that included some of her early hits, including “Let There Be Praise,” “Hosanna” and “In the Name of the Lord.” She said the people who knew the words to those songs were showing their age. But moments later, Miss America Katie Stam, probably less than half Patty’s age, proved that wrong. Stam said she grew up singing Patty’s early songs around the piano with her siblings and parents.
Stam was amazing. I was not aware of her story, including how bold she is in her faith. The fact that she sang “Via Dolorosa,” a gripping song about Christ’s crucifixion, as her talent for the pageant hadn’t caught my attention. But I was impressed to hear her say that when interviewers questioned her about choosing such a “risky” song, she didn’t back away from its message. (She could have said it’s just a powerful song that showcases her focal range and expressiveness, which also is true.) When Stam and Patty performed “Via Dolorosa” as a duet, it was beyond description. Both women sang as if they owned the song and its message, and the power of that message was magnified as they traded solos and then shared harmonies.
I didn’t think that moment could be matched, but then another of Patty’s friends arrived on stage. I’d never heard of Anita Renfroe, but I’m a fan now. The Atlanta-based mother of three and wife of a former pastor describes her performance as musical comedy. The humor is irresistible and infectious. Her favorite subjects seem to be motherhood, weight and sex. She wraps them in amazingly tasteful hilarity. And her songs: Between the words and the performance, I was rolling over in my pew!
Patty’s friends for the night also included Brian and Kim Tabor, a talented duo from Indiana who led worship at the start and also performed a song midway.
It was also a night for family, as this concert was a homecoming for Patty, an Oklahoma City native who recently moved to the Deer Creek area after living most of her life out of state. Her duet of the “The Prayer” with her husband, Don Peslis, was powerful, and a duet with one of her daughters, a student at the University of Central Oklahoma’s new Academy of Contemporary Music, was poignant.
Bridging the gap between family and friends were the program participants from Crossings Community Church, where Patty and her family are now members. The choir and music minister/instrumentalist George Skramstad provided joy as well as accompaniment throughout and were frequently acknowledged by Patty. As mentioned in the published review, the concert was a benefit for White Fields, a Piedmont home for neglected and abused boys. The ministry was founded by Tom Ward, a Crossings member, and its houseparents also are Crossings members.
For all the words that I’ve written, I still have to say this is one of those events that my words are inadequate to describe. You really just have to be there and experience it. And again, part of the proof of the value of being there is in the fact that I’m even trying to describe it!
Carla talks about Southern Baptist Convention blogs
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“Grace” gives us something to talk about
“Saving Grace,” the TV show about an Oklahoma City police woman who encounters an angel, premiered July 23 and it has been already become a hot topic of conversation in our office.
The show stars actress Holly Hunter as detective-on-the-edge, Grace Hanadarko. Actor Leon Rippy portrays a scruffy-looking angel named Earl who claims God sent him to help Grace turn her life around.
What sparked the conversations around our office water cooler?
For starters, the show is based on a character who is supposed to be living in Oklahoma City. There’s a scene where Grace and her nephew are at the Oklahoma City National Memorial discussing the April 19, 1995 tragedy.
Then there are the racy sex scenes, alcohol consumption to excess and lots of cursing.
This is a show with two central themes, as I see it. It’s a crime drama and Grace is obviously dedicated to her work. It is also a show that will focus on faith (She can’t deny that there’s an angel popping in and out of her life).
I’m wondering if viewers turned off by the raunchy antics, drinking and swearing will give Grace and Earl the time of day. There’s also a question about whether the faith aspect will cause folks to shy away, particularly those who just tuned in to see a simple crime show (are there any simple crime shows anymore?).
TV editor Penny Hanley, former religion editor Pat Gilliland, police reporter Augie Frost and I will discuss our observations about the show in a NewsOK.com podcast on Monday, (July 30) the day the second episode of “Saving Grace” is to air on TNT.
Stay tuned.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Show is something to talk about
“Saving Grace,” the TV show about an Oklahoma City police woman who encounters an angel, premiered July 23 and it has been already become a hot topic of conversation in our office.
The show stars actress Holly Hunter as detective-on-the-edge, Grace Hanadarko. Actor Leon Rippy portrays a scruffy-looking angel named Earl who claims God sent him to help Grace turn her life around.
What sparked the conversations around our office water cooler?
For starters, the show is based on a character who is supposed to be living in Oklahoma City. There’s a scene where Grace and her nephew are at the Oklahoma City National Memorial discussing the April 19, 1995 tragedy.
Then there are the racy sex scenes, alcohol consumption to excess and lots of cursing.
This is a show with two central themes, as I see it. It’s a crime drama and Grace is obviously dedicated to her work. It is also a show that will focus on faith (She can’t deny that there’s an angel popping in and out of her life).
I’m wondering if viewers turned off by the raunchy antics, drinking and swearing will give Grace and Earl the time of day. There’s also a question about whether the faith aspect will cause folks to shy away, particularly those who just tuned in to see a simple crime show (are there any simple crime shows anymore?).
TV editor Penny Hanley, former religion editor Pat Gilliland, police reporter Augie Frost and I will discuss our observations about the show in a NewsOK.com podcast on Monday, (July 30) the day the second episode of “Saving Grace” is to air on TNT.
Stay tuned.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Wedding-lag
OK, so I’ll admit I’m a slacker blogger. I haven’t blogged in far too long, it seems.
First there was the Fourth of July, which ended up being a rain-less day … talk about miracles.
Then there was July 7, 2007 — the luckiest day of the year or millennium or whatever it was dubbed.
I am thinking that churches everywhere were inundated with requests for their chapels and sanctuaries. My own church had one wedding and two wedding vow renewal ceremonies.
I attended two of the three and I think I’m suffering from wedding-lag. You know, it’s sort of like jet lag without the jet.
One event was Saturday afternoon and the other was Sunday afternoon. by Monday I felt that a freight train had hit me.
I was able to peck out my friends’ numbers on my cell phone — barely — to find out how they were holding up. They also were tired. Some had gone to the ceremony rehearsals as well so I couldn’t complain to much.
Even so, it feels good to look back on such joyous occasions. Weddings are so beautiful and everyone is typically in a good mood.
It was great to be a part of something so special.
Beauty all around
Several months ago, I was broken-hearted at the news that a young mother had allegedly killed her daughters and then herself inside her Texas trailer.
That sadness was triggered again at the news that a celebrity wrestler had reportedly chosen to murder his wife and child and then end his own life.
These tragedies that pit family member against family member happen too frequently and I often wonder if anybody around the perpetrators had reached out to these troubled souls to offer help and hope.
Of course I don’t think anyone, even in their wildest imaginings, can fathom the darkness that has apparently overtaken these families as these situations unfold.
Hindsight is 20/20 and I want to think that people who might have had any inkling about such problems would have done all they could to prevent the loss of life.
One thing these incidents have done is help me remember that everyone, at one time or another, could use encouragement, a helping hand, a listening ear and, sometimes, a shoulder to cry on.
I’m trying to remember to take the time to say a kind word or perform a kind deed — without thought of repayment or praise. The urge to encourage and give aid is something that I believe came from my family — call it a generational blessing — a great family trait that has been passed down from one generation of my folks to another.
It’s easy to set all that aside especially as my days get busier and busier.
I was reminded of this as I walked along The Oklahoman’s walking trails the other day. I was power-walking and determined to get in several laps when a co-worker and I met up along the pathway.
She asked me if I had seen the beautiful swan.
Swan? What swan?
I looked over and just a few yards away did indeed sit a glorious swan.
I had seen plenty of geese as I walked and never noticed the swan among them.
I had been too busy, too focused on accomplishing yet another task in my busy day and had almost missed the majesty of the moment.
As I walked on I thought how blessed I was that someone pointed out the beautiful bird.
I promised myself I’d do the same for someone else: Point out the beauty, the small miracles that lift the spirit, even for a little while.
Who knows but that gesture may be just what they need to brighten a less than hopeful situation or circumstance?
Thou Shalt Laugh Out Loud
I’m a gusher … that’s probably why I’ll never be a professional movie reviewer.
If I like something I gush. If I don’t like something I rant. Since it’s rare that I don’t like something about a movie, I’d be perpetually in gush mode.
So I liked “Evan The Almighty.” Actually I loved this movie.
I saw it yesterday and it was a pleasant end to a long, long day.
I’m not necessarily a fan of actor Steve Carell, who portrays freshman Congressman, Evan. What I mean is I haven’t seen his other movies and I watched one episode of his TV show, “The Office,” and disliked it.
He’s hilarious — laugh out loud hilarious — in “Evan The Almighty.” He’s perfect as the idealistic, workaholic and straight-laced Evan who has plans to change the world from Capitol Hill.
Ah, another world changer. Just what the world needs.
Apparently that’s what God (portrayed by actor Morgan Freeman) thinks because that’s why he calls upon the young Congressman to build an ark.
“You said you wanted to change the world, right?,” He says.
But Evan tells God that he has other plans … he can’t possibly build a huge boat in his suburban neighborhood.
God laughs at this.
“You had plans! That’s funny. YOU had plans!” He says.
And so goes “Evan The Almighty.”
I liked it because it was an entertaining reminder that God is ultimately in control. So what about our plans? I bet God does get a good laugh sometimes about our so-called plans, especially when we try to carry them out.
In the film, as I believe in real life, God prefers that we make His plan our plan and that’s the one that succeeds.
Poor Evan. God tries to make it plain.
He sends delivery trucks full of wood to Evan’s house. He tells animals to show up wherever Evan happens to be.
Evan finally realizes the numbers 6 14 keep popping up. Eventually, after God appears and speaks to him in person, Evan figures out that the numbers must mean something.
He finds a Bible and turns to Genesis 6:14: “Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch.”
Don’t want to spoil the movie for people who haven’t seen it yet, so I’ll stop here.
It’s a good movie. I predict the faith community will love it.
There are a lot of lessons in the film — some hidden so that you might have to think a bit — and some come at you like a flock of birds flying through the window.
Hope we all take heed.
Billy and Ruth Graham: ‘Til death do us part’
“Til death do us part.”
The familiar phrase uttered in many wedding ceremonies may not mean what it used to, but for some couples it is still a verbal commitment to a lasting bond of wedded love.
Columnist Bryan Painter recently wrote about such couples and I have one on my mind in particular.
I was talking to one of my best friends this morning and we were discussing Ruth Bell Graham’s death Thursday evening.
My friend and I, Liz Thomas, attend the same church and went together to the Rev. Billy Graham’s Oklahoma City Mission in June 2003 at the Ford Center.
Of course I sat in an area reserved for members of the media and she sat with several other members of church. We both saw and heard similar things at the event and we both came away with different viewpoints too.
And yet this morning our phone conversation revolved around a comment that Billy Graham made during the mission’s first evening session.
As I recall a hush came over the crowd as he described being bedridden at the Mayo Clinic where he had gone for some testing. At that time, he said, doctors were trying to find out exactly what ailed the renowned evangelist.
Here is an excerpt from my story that ran the next day, June 13, 2003:
“I spoke to the Lord and the Lord spoke to me,” Graham said as he stood at a podium on the Ford Center stage.
“All my sins came back to me, dating from childhood,” he said in a sermon that lasted about 40 minutes.
Graham said he realized Jesus had died for the sins that arose to confront him.
“I knew from that moment on that I made my peace with God when I thought I was on my death bed — and I still have it.”
This morning, both Liz and I remarked on his comments, remembering something else he said as he spoke to the silent crowd. I think that his talk of death, him being 80-something, had quickly captured the audience’s attention.
Graham said he and his beloved wife had talked about what a joy it would be to “go together” to meet the Lord they had both spent a lifetime telling others about.
Obviously that did not happen, but his sentiment made an impression upon us — so much so that all these years later it stuck out as a beautiful tribute to a love that stood the test of time.
I know that others remember the preacher’s loving remarks. It was an unforgettable moment in an unforgettable place in the city’s history. As we listened to the evangelist, many of us wondered if it was the last time he would preach in our city.
It is wonderful to recall that bygone time and Graham’s inspirational words. They certainly struck home to many people, particularly married lovebirds in the room — and those who hoped one day to experience such marital joy.
Her beloved husband’s thoughtful words and undoubtedly, his memories of his wife, are fitting testimonies of the life of Ruth Bell Graham.
Leaving Spurs Land
The annual meeting is over and I’ll soon be off to the airport to catch a flight back to Oklahoma City.
Typically I meet other Oklahomans who are also making their way back from the meeting.
I have one personal regret: I didn’t get to tour the Alamo.
I visited San Antonio a few years ago with my children and tried to talk them into going to the Alamo. Seaworld, the River Walk and River Center Mall captured their attention and we never did make it to the historic site.
I’ve lived in Oklahoma City most of my life, but from fourth grade through mid-way of the eighth grade my family and I lived in Euless, Arlington and Fort Worth, Texas. I got a Texas-sized dose of Lone Star state history.
Therefore the Alamo has great significance for me as a semi-Texan.
The good news is I’ll be headed back to San Antonio in the fall for the annual Religion News Writers Conference.
It’s a four-day event just for religion writers so surely, somewhere between the workshops and activities, I’ll be able to get a tour of the Alamo in.
Here’s looking forward to fall … and Go Spurs!
Tongue tied
Southern Baptists concerned about the issue of speaking in tongues will not be silenced.
The subject has came up numerous times during this year’s annual meeting and it may be explored even further next year.
Messenger Lee Saunders of Texas asked that consideration be given to the development of a convention policy regarding the gift of tongues.
The elephant in the room was officially exposed.
Saunder’s request was referred to the convention’s executive committee for report back to the convention at next year’s annual meeting in Indianapolis.
This could very well mean that Baptists will spell out exactly what they do or don’t believe about glossolalia or private prayer language.
The issue has certainly been bandied about during these last two days. Of course Oklahomans like the Rev. Wade Burleson (Enid) and the Rev. Robin Foster (Perkins) have been discussing it for some time now.
Next year in Indy Southern Baptists may come to some consensus about whether or not their missionaries and seminary professors can ascribe to the practice of speaking in tongues.
Some Baptists have stayed mum on the issue, but after this gathering, I doubt any Southern Baptist leader will have that luxury forever.
Meanwhile Burleson says he believes the issue is nobody’s business — what someone does in private prayer is their business.
Somehow I think it is going to become everybody’s business — soon.
Interestingly enough, a resolution concerning glossolalia did not make it out of committee.
Gerald Harris, the resolution committee chairman, said the committee had good reason not to wade into the debate.
“We didn’t feel like the resolution committee was the Supreme Court, so to speak, to interpret theology for the convention.”
