{Live-blogged & live-tweeted, but finished post-concert. If you're popping over from Michael's site, WELCOME! Love that his friends are visiting 🙂 }
The United Tour begins as most do, with a meet & greet prior to the show. That might've been typical, but I can already sense this concert is anything but typical.
Michael Dubya was as friendly as he could be as he took time to speak with everyone in the room. Can I just say that his baby blues are penetrating; he makes great eye-contact and fully engages with whomever he's speaking; he looks closer to his age face-to-face than he does from a distance, but even so, he's still eternally youthful; and his firm politician's handshake won me over. {Good gravy–I just wrote an entire paragraph on the proper way to shake hands, decided this is not the venue for that, so it is now drafted for another day's post. S i g h…bunny trails…!}
When he was done, he had just enough time for one more picture–me and a few new friends.
And then Steven continued with all things familiar…
Steven is a fabulous story-teller–both in words and music. His heart spills out into his music and it's impossible not to engage. When he began telling the story about "Cinderella" (one I've heard before), but this time acknowledged the recent and tragic death of his youngest daughter…the lyrics took new shape, new meaning. He shared his family's story with great hope, though…the hope all believers have with lives united eternally with Christ.
The last line still haunted…."But I know…this dance…will go on…"
When Geoff Moore joined Steven, it was clear they have true affection for one another and they had fun singing "Dive" and "Live Out Loud". Later, we learned they share the bond of having adopted daughters from China, and Geoff introduced a collaboration with Show Hope, a monthly sponsorship initiative to help provide for the needs of orphans.
Sidenote: It's precious to me how performing artists–not just Christian!–are increasingly using their voice, their platform, their influence for good! They're making a difference in the lives of many by championing those who have no voice, and rallying support from those who have the means and conviction to provide for others…sometimes, at sacrifice to self. Beautiful…the work of God.
Proud Papa introduces his son. We saw more of Caleb at Steven's last concert here, and I'm sure we'll see more of him in the future.
Right about here is where I snuck out for a quick bathroom break; I decided not to tweet that little tidbit on Twitter–far be it for me to post TMI ;). Daggum, if Smitty didn't crank it up (unexpectedly, to me) while I was "occupied", so I missed pictures before intermission. When I came back, I ran into my friend, Charles, who, if I'm not mistaken, was tweeting from his phone–
My camera-shy husband and daughter managed to steer clear of my roving lens. I was disappointed; they silently celebrated victory. Infidels.
While I'm digressing, wanna see where I was blogging?
Great vantage point for listening, but when it was time to take pictures, I surreptitiously slithered my way to the front of the stage. My mad stealth skills are so advanced, I'm pretty sure I was invisible.
This would probably be a good time to say how grateful I am to Spence Smith for making the arrangements for me to live-blog the show; 9-5 he's on staff with Compassion International (& is one of the leaders for our upcoming trip to India), but 5:01-8:59? The man is movin' and shakin' all over the place. I'm quite certain he's a rollin' stone and shall never-no-never gather moss.
Ok…back to the show.
Post intermission, Michael sang…and shared his life and testimony…and led us in worship. It was Church in the best sense–believers united in praise and adoration, celebrating the One who gave us song. Somewhere along the way, I ceased attending a concert and entered into worship. It was seamless and beautiful, and evidence to me Michael is interested in his music glorifying God, not himself.
Two amazing artists brought with them stories and songs of hope and healing; this seemed to be a softer side of both men, more open and vulnerable. They're seasoned and rewarded artists who don't seem impressed with celebrity for celebrity's sake. They understand their position brings with it responsibility and challenge. My only concern was the ticket price that kept a lot of my friends at home. For those of us fortunate enough to be there, we were blessed with a night to remember.
Friends are friends forever ;).
Play list:
- Blessed Be Your Name
- How Great is our God
- You Make All Things New
- Yours
- Magnificent Obsession
- Miracle of the Moment
- Cinderella
- God is God
- Live out Loud
- Dive
- Great Adventure / Go West
- Sake of the Call
- Place in This World/I Will Be Here For You
- I Will Be Here
- Prepare Ye The Way
- A New Hallelujah
- The River is Rising
- Friends
- This is Your Time
- Mighty to Save
- Shout Unto God
- Above All
- Deep In Love With You
- Healing Rain
- Majesty
- Agnus Dei
- How Great Is Our God
Oooh! Fun! Great top, Robin 🙂 You look fab-u-lous!
Oh girl! I’d be there crying right next to you!! Who is it that you refer to as being your friend for 2 decades? I missed that!
I’ll have to see if this concert comes near me — I need a buddy to go with me though. Wanna come stay at my house and go again? 🙂
I am beginning to regret my decision to let Charles go instead of me already! 🙂 My only relief is in knowing that I am certain that I would fall apart if I had to listen to Steven sing “Cinderella” now. I hope you are having a great time!
What an amazing opportunity Robin. Thank you for sharing with us, it sounds like a wonderful time of worship and entertainment!
SO cool! Great pics 🙂 Looks like an amazing evening!!
Awww, what fun, Robin! You get to do the funnest things. What a great even to be a part of.
Susan, our similarities never cease to amaze me; it’s my current favorite
top :).
Hehe, Lisa, silly girl, I was talkin’ about Michael! I went back and added
quote marks to friend, though :). If you click The United Tour link, it
should take you to the concert page (but it’s listed at both of the guys’
sites, too). It’s almost like a “Greatest Hits” tour :).
You have no idea how much I’ve missed you this year. Daggum work schedule
:/. (You would’ve fallen apart when he TALKED about “Cinderella”…trust
me.)
Ya know, Tia, it WAS worship and entertainment. And yes…I was thrilled to
get to do what I did. YIKES! I JUST REMEMBERED SOMETHING I MEANT TO POST!
GEEZ. Thanks for the reminder!!! (Off to do that before I forget again!)
Thanks, Louise…I think you visited before I finished uploading pictures;
there are a bunch more up, now :).
Rhoda, it WAS fun! And I got great exercise running back and forth between
the stage taking pictures and the sound/light booth writing. I’m all about
“seizing the day”, ya know? 🙂
Great job Robin! You really captured the night. These guys really know how to initiate worship in us huh? I love their hearts. The lyrics to their songs are incredible. BTW, I sat there with tears running down my face as I considered my own little cinderella, who was at time, at home sleeping. Wow!
What an awesome evening! (And WOOT on the link…how fun…your pictures are great.)
HOW AWESOME! I’m glad you got to meet two who have gone before you, to encourage you in your own journey to come. I hope you get to meet more. 🙂
It sounds like loads of fun – even though I wasn’t there, I felt like I was there for a few minutes while reading, a grin plastered on my face. Thanks!
Good gracious, friend. Was I there or what? No, not in person, but I sure thought I was by how well you captured this!!! And by the way, if you get another gig like this anytime soon, count me in. I’ll go where you are!
This was one of my fave posts eva from Pensieve! Seriously. I just gave my hubby a holla to check it out! Great words. Great pix. Plus just a little jealousy on my part. You’ll have to tell Carlos I’m the real deal. We follow each other on Twitter but never met in person – but it’s only a matter of time! We’re bound to cross paths.
Again, great job. Where ya headed next? I’m tuning in, one way or the other!
xo
Wow, what a tremendous opportunity. The live blog is one thing but to get to take photos too!?! How cool is that! You did a fantastic job. Every time I get to see Steven play I check out the venue carefully with the hope I can bring my camera. We got to go to a meet and greet with Michael. I’m hardly one to get star struck but I’ve always wanted to meet Steven…if anything, to thank him for planting the seed for us to adopt Lily. I’m still hoping though. Thanks for a great post. We are now getting really excited for next month’s show.
Robin – seriously, this was an amazing post. I felt like I was there, worshipping and sharing right along side you. WOW – thanks for taking the time to give your perspective about two icons that I adore!
Love this post Robin! What wonderful pictures to post along. I know that took work and it worked b/c we all feel like we’re there. Love these guys and Geoff Moore was sung at our wedding so good to see him again. You did an awesome job and can’t wait to follow you to India. 🙂 God Bless.
Wow, Robin! What a precious experience! Michael W Smith came to our town for a Franklin Graham event, and he was so humble and genuine! God has done so much through them (and will through you!) and it’s encouraging to see men so faithful to Him.
What a wonderful experience. I am glad that you are going to India as well. Good luck.
Hi, Robin! I’m a Super-Mom living at Taguatinga-Brasilia-Brazil and I loved your vision about the life! My life is intimately closed with the “robins”, about I loved his songs so tender and happy for my ears!
MWS is a God’s Miracle in the life of all my family and I’ve buying his CD’s and DVD’s from Brickhouse since 2006 when I received an International Credit Card, by The God’s Mercy!! I loved your blog and ever than as possible I’ll visit it! God Bless you and all your family! An imense embrace for all of yours, from us here in Brazil! Keila Lucy Lemos and Family.