“My Old Friend”

by Jeff Orr

I ran into an old friend yesterday. I have known this friend all my life but we have not seen each other in a good 15 years or so. I remembered somewhere back in my long ago that I always felt a sense of warmth and safety with my friend. There was never a pretense. There was no lying; just a simple, straight forward friendship. Through many storms my friend would cover and protect me. Through the happy times and celebrations, my friend was always there. It is the kind of friend that stories are made of; the kind that we all want deep down inside. A friend to accept us for who we are, a friend that would listen to us; that's who my friend was.

I ran into my old friend yesterday. It was the house I grew up in. I was in my hometown because my father-in-law was having surgery to remove cancer from his neck. I thought I would take some time and swing by my old house to see how it looked after all this time. My parents have long since moved and the bank has foreclosed on the latest owner. I didn't know if anyone lived in the house. I wasn't sure what to expect as I turned the corner on the street and pulled up in front of the dwelling. A flood of emotions almost overwhelmed me as I looked upon this monument to my youth as the song “That Was Yesterday” by Foreigner played on my iPod. The front yard grass was dead with a few weeds growing up here and there. The house was obviously empty and a metal flag hung from a short pole in the yard proclaiming whom to contact to purchase my friend.

There used to be 5 tall, thin juniper trees growing along the side of our property that had long been cut down. Only the dried out stumps remained on two of them. The thick bushes that adorned the front of the house no longer were there. My mother's favorite lilac bush, the one that bloomed so beautifully in the Spring, now stood frozen in death, its branches dried, bare and devoid of life. The tree that we planted when my brother and I were in Jr. High, now stood tall but the life had left its branches long ago. The house was not in disrepair but still looked lonely as the light of life from a family living within its walls was not present.

As I looked on, so many memories came rushing into my mind; my brother and I with our friends playing “sword fight” with little sticks in the front yard, playing football with the neighbors, mowing the lawn, digging up and replacing the water pipe that went from the street to the house because of a leak – in August, breaking the bedroom window with a baseball because we were playing in the front yard instead of the backyard, hanging Christmas lights, playing “ditch ‘em” on a summer night. It was the house I was born in. It was the house I was raised in. Twenty four years of memories came back in an instant.

It was such an odd feeling looking at the house. Growing up here, the house and the street was full of life and vitality. There were many families and young children. Our house was the meeting place for most of the kids on the block. My mother always liked to have us all around. I used to think it was her way of keeping an eye on us but as time went on I grew to understand her huge heart and love for children.

Now as I looked on, the house and street looked empty somehow. Many of the trees and grass in the yards were gone, replaced by desert landscaping. It was no longer an inviting street. Maybe it was just my perception of it all but it was if the houses and street I grew up in not only grew old but had died. Only the shells remained. A bleak and faded reminder of what once was.

I ran into an old friend yesterday. As I drove away, a tear filled my eye as the reality of the seasons of life crowded out the memories of my childhood. I've heard it said that you can't go home again. You can. It just won't be the same.

Jeff Orr is the founding Executive Director of Innové Ministries ( http://www.innoveministries.com ). He is a performing artist, writer, speaker, producer and arranger. His latest release, “Hanging By A Thread” is available at http://www.cdbaby.com/orrjeff .

Here's my pick for the Artist of the Month: Curt Collins

Curt Collins

Web Sites:

www.curtcollins.com

www.shoutlife.com/curtcollins

www.myCCM.org/curtcollins

Singer/songwriter Curt Collins isn't one of those guys who entered music industry ranks just to puff up with fame, stroke his own ego or amass the riches that a hit single can cultivate. Rather he's cut from an incredibly sincere cloth steeped in wanting to serve others, share with them touching stories from his life, be a listening ear for the broken and a source of hope for the hurting. While that might seem like the general protocol for any contemporary Christian artist, Collins passion overflows in an undeniably unique manner, making it impossible to ignore and perhaps more potent than any relative newcomer in recent memory.

“It's always been my goal to touch one person at a time even though people always ask ‘don't you want to do more than that?'” considered Collins as he geared up for a 2006 self-titled CD release. “I think my music has no boundaries and is for the church and unchurched. I also have a heart for kids in children's homes, the ones who were abandoned and forgotten, and all the parents out there.”

The fibers of Collins testimony actually date back to his adoption from youth and parents who unconditionally stood by his side personally, musically and spiritually. Though they've both since passed away, the troubadour looks to their relationship with fondness and anchors much of his expressions as a tribute to them, as well as directed towards his wife and children.

“When I was in eighth grade, I'd sit with my guitar at the fireplace and on winter nights I'd play for my parents,” he recalls of that youthful artistic growth spurt. “When I got done, usually with something by John Denver , I'd notice my mother crying, though she'd always try to hide it. I've realized it's okay to cry and now the tears are mine now that my parents are gone, but I take every opportunity to let my family know how much I care about that and that we're all in this together.”

In fact those bonds are so tight that the family re-routed its course from a life in Little Rock, Arkansas to a recent move towards Nashville given Collins recording commitments and desire to be located in the heart of Music City. Though homesickness is a part of every move and loved ones were left behind, many new doors have been opened and its only brought Curt , his wife Bettinna and sons Aaron and Colin that much closer together.

“Any move is tough, but through a lot of prayer and consideration, this decision really sat right on our hearts,” Collins explains, continuing with unabashed honesty. “There have already been times when it's been tough and we've missed our old home, but there have been several signs already that God has called us here. How can we question His will when His son died on the cross for us?”

Amongst those several signs is a pairing with producer/songwriter Jami e Slocum (and chart topping Curb Records artist) for the self-titled projects sessions. The duos partnership came after a web of mutual musical friends put the two in touch and their time together ranged from songwriting to studio time to touring to a genuine friendship outside of professional pretenses.

“When I first met Jami e , we just got together and started writing, which is one of the many things he's tremendous at doing,” Collins offers. “We were both waiting on the Lord about a lot of things and asked God to show us the way. The message that kept coming to us through that time together was God telling us hey, don't worry about it. I'll take care of you and everything's set.”

Indeed it was, as those creative consultations not only soothed both men's spirits, but the outcome also resonated with the public at large, shooting the albums lead single “Waiting On You” up the charts on five major reporting radio stations across the country in a matter of weeks! Of course Collins is no stranger to the airwaves, already racking up a top ten hit with “Backyard Hero” (from his independent album Don't Look Back Now) and the bi-lingual smash “Pray For the World,” though that type of response is remarkable considering this album's forthcoming status!

But that track is merely one of the many standouts on the endeavor, including “Love Unconditional,” a powerful pop ballad soaked in tender strings, reminding all of Christ 's care for His children and a father's love for his family in earthly contexts as well. A nod to the old school Rich Mullins ' “Growing Young” is a tear-jerking Prodigal Son type tale, sure to resonate with fans of “Backyard Hero” and already a concert favorite. The mighty “Shadow and Light” returns to finding hope amongst the darkness and trusting in God's ultimate plan, while a riveting nod to Harry Chapin 's “Cats In the Cradle” again covers the father/son dynamic.

“Children grow up so fast and you better show them you love them because they'll be all grown up and on their own one day,” observes Collins . “I was ministering at a prison in Forrest City , Arkansas and a resident came up to me after the concert thanking me for performing and told me he had a son who was a teenager. I'll never forget him telling me with a tear in his eye ‘make sure to hug your child at night and tell him you love him because I can't' and that's an incredibly poignant message I hope to pass on to others through this record.”

But even to that prisoner who won't likely see the light of day until his son is completely grown, Collins is quick to recall Christ 's awe inspiring power and ability to heal the wounds of brokenness, distance and despair whether separation points are across the country, with physical bars in the way or through towering emotional walls.

“I just hope that I could touch all age groups and have a son hug his dad and mother hug her daughter no matter what they may be going through,” Collins concludes. “And for those with circumstances beyond their control, know that there's always hope out there. I always tell people that there's much more to life than just getting through the day, but that you can experience true happiness and healing through a relationship with Christ .”

Recently, Heartbeat the Magazine had the opportunity to talk with Curt to learn more about his music and the faith in his heart.

HB: What inspires you as an artist?

CC: I'm inspired by the memory of my parents of whom I miss dearly that I lost within 15 months of each other. That was an extremely hard thing to grasp. To this day I still struggle with that loss. I decided, after much thought and prayer, to pursue a ministry in music and have dedicated it to my parents who always supported me in whatever I did. They loved me “unconditionally.”

HB: What is your calling?

CC: I feel music called me. For as long as I can remember music has always been a huge part of my life. I learned to play guitar in the 8th grade and have always been involved in music ever since then. Countless Sunday's I have been blessed to lead Worship and share with others that Jesus is truly the way to get to Heaven. Touching people, having a father turn to his son or daughter and seeing that on his face he gets it. Maybe he's not spending enough time with his child and his putting his arms around that child or children and giving them a hug makes all the hard work and sacrifices make sense. It is my prayer to just touch one person at a time with the gifts God has given me and He'll do the rest!

HB: What do you enjoy most about being an artist/minister?

CC: Meeting new people and as I said, just touching people and sharing the Word and the gifts he's given me.

HB: What has been one of your successes as an artist?

CC: I have been blessed to have toured or shared the stage with, Jami e Slocum, Ginny Owens, The Crabb Family, The Gaithers, Diamond Rio, David Phelps, Dottie Rambo, Russ Taff, Bryan Duncan, Dennis Jernigan, and Tammy Trent just to name a few. We have also been blessed to have a TOP 100 song on radio last year called “He Will Pull You Through” that climbed as high as #6 on the weekly radio charts.

HB: What have you learned most in your journey so far?

CC: It's not about me… it's about HIM and the kingdom of Heaven and growing that kingdom.

HB: Where are you heading now as an artist?

CC: My passion now is to start a foundation called “The Love Unconditional Foundation” which was inspired by a hit single off my last record. After meeting a worship pastor and his wife before a concert in St. Louis , God spoke to me. You see, this couple had adopted 2 sons which are now teenagers. The problem was that since they were brothers they could not be separated so they had to adopt them both. One has grown up to be a normal functioning teenager, but the younger one needs special attention. Both children have dealt with fetal alcohol syndrome which has been very tough on the mother and father not to mention the boys. They were telling me about how hard it was when they adopted them because they had little funds and no outside help. I listened intently as they cried, right there in front of me, saying if we just could have had an outlet, someone to talk to it would have been less stressful and much easier. Immediately God spoke to me and gave me the idea to start a foundation that helps the family's who have adopted special needs children. That was an idea I could really relate to because I was adopted myself! So, right now we are in the process of putting together the foundation. Throughout my travels I mention this idea and it is well received. My long term goal is to bring it to fruition and see it thrive.