Goodbye PETRA

Seems a bit wierd to do a review on a band that is no longer. The year 2006 stands out in many people's minds and hearts as the first year in so many that will not be blessed by the music of PETRA, not live or new at least. A concert in Murphy, NC on the 31st of December, 2005 ended the farewell tour for PETRA.
IN 1974, a group of guys came together to play and worship the lord through their music, as well as go on to start one of the first, and best Christian rock bands. From 1974 until the end of 2005, this band, changing in it's members but never it's mission, blessed a mutitude of followers. Although the farewell tour has come to an end, the music of PETRA will, I believe, live for a long time to come.
I can only tell my own story of how the band PETRA touched my life.
At about the age of 11, 12, or maybe even 13, my family went through a bit of change and a bit of a challange. We had always been a church going family, a Christian family, a believing family. But, something happened to effect my parents, something that would prove to be a good thing, but also prove to be a hardship, as most good things are. Something caused my parents to see the world for what it really, really is, a dark and unholy place. As this reality hit them between the eyes. They looked down at there three, under the age 11 or so children, and this, I think, scared them. Like turning a puppy lose in the middle of a highway. Of course their reaction, was one of fear and an attempt to protect their own. For months, we as a family were shut off from the outside world. We were brought home to be homeschooled. The radio was not to be turned on without permission and close supervision. The TV was a very seldom happening and again only with very close supervision. (Note: I do believe that the radio and TV should be listened to and watched by children only with close supervision, this is just to show the contrast of change that took place in my household during those years.) So, for the next several months, things went on like this, very little TV (which I think, looking back, was just fine) and very little music. Let me say here, I LOVE MUSIC, and always have. I need it, even if I go deaf, I think there will always be a song in my mind and heart, at least I hope there will be. Over these months, things went as you might expect, I would sneak away and listen to the local "hip" music stations on the radio, I would get caught, and I would be reminded that that was not allowed in our home. Friends would give me "tapes" of artists that were "not that bad" or maybe even that claim to be "Christian". These "tapes" would be reviewed by my parents and then usually be thrown in the trash. At the time, I was sooooo mad. I could not believe what they we doing "to me". Looking back, I see that they were actually doing something "for me", even if they didn't even know it. Finally, we all were able to understand that all I wanted was music, not bad or worldly music, just music.
So, now was the time that, little did anybody know, we as a family would start to make some of my fondest childhood memories. As a family, we would all climb into the old minivan and make trips to the local Christian bookstores. These really are some of the best memories of being a kid that I have to this day. We would try so many different Christian artists on for size. We tried artists like Amy Grant, Sandy Patty, Carman, 2nd Chapter of Acts, and so many more. All very, very good. But nothing still "as good as" the guitars that I could hear if I could sneak a listen to the local rock stations.
And then it happened. My grandparents took me on a mission trip to Mexico with a group of college students from a bible college where my grandmother was a professior. And, yep you guessed it, one of thoses bible college students had a PETRA album with him and he let me listen to it on his walkman. I don't think I will ever forget, it was the album Beyond Belief. I gave that album one listen and have not had one doubt since, there was a new chapter opened in my Christian life. God was cool! And God knew how to ROCK! These guys had something, something I wanted, something I was not going to let go of. For the rest of that week long trip, every chance I got, I was listening, exploring more of this album, this band, this rocking praising of our Lord.
Needless to say, as soon as I arrived home, Mom and Dad had to hear this album, Mom and Dad had to hear what I heard, Mom and Dad had to hear how pure and right and rockin' this "tape" of Christain rock music was. Sure enough, it was no time until we were riding around in that same old, little yellow minivan, rockin', singing to the top of our lungs as a family "I am on the rock", "this is my creed", and so many more.
Now, almost ten years, I'm an adult myself. I have a wife, a home, a career, and two chihuahuas. And yes, I still drive around in my truck and scream to the top of my lungs "Beyond Belief, Beyond Belief".
The band Petra may not be playing together in live concert again until we all assemble in the ever after, but there music and message will stand strong, and be sung and heard loud and strong until then.

Goodbye PETRA, until next time...