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Thank you so much for |
I just wanted to share how much the ministry of Jars of Clay has affected my life.The first time I heard of Jars of Clay was in 1996 on a secular radio station. The song, "Flood," was hitting the airwaves of the sleepy towns of De Kalb and Sycamore, IL. The first time I heard it, I was like, "Wow! These guys are awesome!" I wasn't a Christian yet, so I didn't quite understand the full meaning of the song, but I did feel an odd stirring in my heart (Being 12 years old at the time I didn't know what that stirring was, but looking back, I know it was the Holy Spirit working in me). I didn't really know who they were except for their name.
The next time I heard about Jars of Clay was two years later when I started to go to the Christian school in my town. All of my school friends were talking about them and I was like, "Who are they?" They explained to me who they were. Since I was getting a daily dose of the Bible, I began to understand more of the meaning of the song, "Flood." I think this song helped me become a Christian, because that year I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.
My Freshman year is when I got my first Jars of Clay CD, "If I Left the Zoo." I got it from one of my friends for my birthday. I'm surprised it still works because I listened to it all of the time, and still do. Well, four years later, here I am in my Senior year and around my 18th birthday, I found out Jars of Clay was going to be in De Kalb, IL, for a concert at the new Convocation Center. I immediately asked my mom if I could have "The Eleventh Hour" for my birthday, and I got it. The next thing I found out was the meet and greet passes that come with a Level 3 membership in the Jars of Clay Fan Club. Since my birthday already passed, I was trying to think of ways to con $50.00 out of my parents and it dawned on me, "Early Christmas Present!" My parents conceded and my mom made the phone calls; she is just spectacular.
Well, November 20 rolls around and, of course, I'm giddy with excitement! Before the concert, there was a worship time for all local FCA members to attend with a special meeting with Jars of Clay. They talked about their faith, their music, and how they try to follow God's calling. After that was the meet and greet and I was first in line! I met them and the first thing I remember was Matt asking me my name. I stood thinking, "Oh, crap, what's my name?" I finally said my name and I shook hands with all of them, told them I love their music, and I got a picture with them. It was surreal.
Anyways, their music has become so much more to me in the past few months. A close friend and mentor of mine has recently been diagnosed with non-operable lung cancer has 6 months to live. Their music has helped me deal with this pain and given me the ability to put aside my pain and help him with his. Their ministry has also brought me closer to God. Everytime I hear one of their songs, my soul is lifted up and I feel like I'm walking with the Lord. I just want to thank them so much for that. So Dan, Matt, Steve, and Charlie, thank you so much for music and ministry, it means so much to me and to millions more out there.