Night of Joy

I've updated my playlist with songs by the artists Anna Gracen and I were able to see and/or hear at Night of Joy. Night of Joy was held Friday (9/5) and Saturday (9/6) at Disney Hollywood Studios. It is a concert event with several different Christian groups on several different stages. Anna Gracen and I went out on Saturday night. We were able to see Red, Casting Crowns, Aaron Shust and Fred Hammond. We were able to hear TobyMac and Mandisa (we heard her sing "Shackles" - one of the songs she sang on American Idol). TobyMac will be in concert at the North Carolina State Fair this year and Aaron Shust and Casting Crowns are both touring with a few dates in NC. What I loved about Night of Joy was the diversity, not only in the audiences, but in the type of music played. All are Christian artists but with different styles of worship. I was blessed watching the teenagers "bang their heads" along to the music of Red; the diverse audience clapping and singing along with Mandisa and Aaron Shust; people of all ages singing (rapping) along with TobyMac; people praising and shouting Amen to the message Casting Crowns head singer, Mark Hall, shared; and the joy and energy of singing along with Fred Hammond and his band. All praising God with every note played and every word sung - giving Him all glory and honor.

Mark Hall from Casting Crowns spoke straight from God's heart - reaching out to the audience, quoting scripture and praying for them to receive Jesus. As he was doing so I was praying for the two guys sitting behind us. We overheard them say (during a cell phone conversation) that a woman in the parking lot had given them free tickets to come to Night of Joy. They had heard of a few of the artists, but I'm gathering weren't fans. They had a macho air about them - like they were too cool to be there. God had them there for a reason! He used the lady in the parking lot to get these guys where He wanted them to be. I turned to them after the Casting Crowns set and told them that they weren't here by chance - that God had a blessing for them. One of the guys immediately went back into Mr. Cool Guy mode - like he had all the answers and who was I (I am His!) to tell him anything. The other guy seemed more respectful. I walked away feeling a little (okay, a lot) uncomfortable, but knowing that I had said what needed to be said. I KNOW God spoke to both of these men!! He spoke to them through the music, through the praise, and through the prayers that Mark Hall prayed for the audience - for them!

Lyrics to "Who Am I" by Casting Crowns:

Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth
Would care to know my name
Would care to feel my hurt
Who am I, that the Bright and Morning Star
Would choose to light the way
For my ever wandering heart

Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are

Chorus:
I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
A vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I'm calling
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am
I am Yours, I am Yours

Who Am I, that the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love and watch me rise again
Who Am I, that the voice that calmed the sea
Would call out through the rain
And calm the storm in me

Chorus

I am Yours
Whom shall I fear
Whom shall I fear'
Cause I am Yours
I am Yours