One In Jesus

So … my daughter-in-law grew up in a church where this girl Michelle sang in the praise band. Michelle married Micah, and they’re cutting a Christian album. And my daughter-in-law thinks I ought to plug their music here at OneInJesus, because I “mention music a lot.”

And family vacation is on the horizon, I’ll be spending a whole week with my daughter-in-law, and I won’t be able to face her unless I plug Micah and Michelle. They are hereby plugged.

Okay, here’s the straight story. Michelle has a voice like butter on a biscuit. If that’s not a clear enough metaphor, well, it’s right, and if you’ll listen, you’ll agree.

The songs are simply arranged (which I like a lot), and the music is low key. It’s a bit like the Civil Wars, but thoroughly Christian and not as blue. But the vibe is similar– with sweet male/female harmonies, introspective lyrics, and a dollop of melancholy. I like it a lot.

The album is scheduled for release in late August. There are four songs available for a free listen on their Facebook page. You’ll find yourself humming “Undivided” tomorrow. (I wonder if they have a four-part harmony arrangement — maybe with shaped notes?)

First, some Tulsa music to set the mood —

I posted that just so I could set the mood to say that I’m going to be speaking at the Tulsa Workshop, March 21-24, 2012. I’ll be teaching three classes on training and equipping elders. That’s right. I’m the elder track for 2012.

It’s three classes — which is a lot — but the work of elders couldn’t be covered in three weeks! So what do I need to talk about? If you could put any issue, subject, or concern before the elders of the Churches of Christ there, what would you want someone to say to them?

If you’re an elder, and you could have any topic or concern of yours addressed, what would it be?

What should the classes be about?

Now, here are the lyrics —

I left Oklahoma drivin’ in a Pontiac
Just about to lose my mind
I was goin’ on to Arizona, maybe on to California
Where all the people live so fine

My baby said I was crazy, my momma called me lazy
I was goin’ to show ’em all this time
‘Cause you know I ain’t no fool an’
I don’t need no more schoolin’
I was born to just walk the line

Livin’ on Tulsa time
Livin’ on Tulsa time
Well you know I’ve been through it
When I set my watch back to it
Livin’ on Tulsa time

Well there I was in Hollywood
wishin’ I was doin’ good
Talkin’ on the telephone line
But they don’t need me in the movies and nobody sings my songs
Guess I’m just wastin’ time

Well then I got to thinkin’,
Man I’m really sinkin’
And I really had a flash this time
I had no business leavin’ and nobody would be grievin’
If I went on back to Tulsa time

Livin’ on Tulsa time
Livin’ on Tulsa time
Gonna set my watch back to it
Cause you know I’ve been through it
Livin’ on Tulsa time

Hey, why not?  Not every kid can handle Relay for Life,
after all, without dying of an asthma attack.  (Donate to the fight against
Cystic Fibrosis here)

(From Community House Church Quincy.)