Are You Ready To Celebrate!! Ding Ding
For the last 31 years Hillsboro, Ohio comes together as a city to celebrate The Festival Of The Bells. Known for creating the steel alloy bells that were once shipped around the world, the city of Hillsboro created a three day extravaganza, in honor of our Nations freedom, with several special events taking place from Thursday morning all the way through Saturday night.
On Thursday evening while the city folk were visiting vendors and kids were riding rides entering center stage was the worship band GNG Live. The name of their band was birthed through their home church Good News Gathering. After performing a few of their own creations, right in the middle of that festival they began to lead the crowd in a proclamation of We Believe.
When you are standing in a public place declaring your faith in worship, it's hard not to look around and gain strength in a spiritual army mentality. As we gathered in Hillsboro that day to celebrate our freedom not only as a Nation, but members of the body of Christ openly declaring our freedom in salvation, I began to cry. It's heartbreaking to think of some of the things going on in our Nation today but we don't face anywhere near the amount of persecution we see abroad. Let's rejoice in knowing we are still publicly allowed to praise the Lord, and continue praying for others internationally.
During the weekend festivities Committee Members plan different events designed to establish in a fun way the ability to give back to those in need in the community. Since they have a large need for food pantry contributions this is one way to receive donations and raise awareness. One of the events is a grocery shopping race.
"The object of the race is to push a loaded grocery cart through an obstacle course, pay for the items at the "checkout", and finish at the "parking lot". The team, consisting of two members, with the fastest time will be declared the winner and will earn food/gift cards for the food pantry of their choice."
This was the first year they incorporated a scavenger hunt into the agenda. They did have a limit of 25 teams being able to participate with groups of two. Contestants were required to be at least 16 years of age, with parental consent if under 18. Whoever was determined the winner, received the choice of either 2 VIP tickets for the Saturday evening concert, or a meet and greet pass for the entertainer of their choice. If you plan to take part in this next year I would advise signing up early.
My lifelong friend Christy, who resides in Hillsboro, about an hour and a half away from me, had mentioned that Sidewalk Prophets were going to be there opening night of the festival. Unfortunately I am scheduled to work on Thursday nights. I must say thanks to my brother, Keith who doubles as a co-worker. Him knowing how much Christy and I love their music, let me leave work at 6 PM. He held down the fort by himself on a very busy night, because he loves his little sister.
With that in mind, Christy sent me a text shortly after 6 PM stating that Elder Brian Robinson had given her 3 meet and greet passes for Sidewalk at 7:30. I was happy enough I was given the opportunity to go to the concert! However, I was wondering if I would actually make it in time for the other. As you can see below God cleared the road ways so I could shake these young men's hands that we are so grateful for. Below, Christy and I pictured with the band and our friend Jeff who I must mention is sporting my brother in Christ, Pastor Brian Smith's fruitful First Heavy Metal Church Of Christ shirt.
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| L-R Daniel (Lead Guitar), Cal (Bass Guitar), Justin (Drums), Jeff, Me, Christy, Dave (Lead Singer) and Ben (Guitar) |
God created a beautiful night of worship and celebration that day in Hillsboro, Ohio. With a forecast of thunderstorms He parted the clouds and cooled the night air so the weather could not have been more perfect. Sidewalk opened their set with their latest chart topper Save My Life. This song has always been one of my favorites from them through the powerful lyrics they always deliver. Mainly because it did lead me to witness to an 89 year old man who hadn't served the Lord since he was 14 years old. In a nursing home two days before passing away he rededicated his life to God. For that this song is golden to me.
It didn't take long for Dave to introduce Daniel to the crowd who joined the band last year after being chosen out of 100 candidates. I personally feel he fits perfectly with this great group of guys, not to mention he can kill that guitar and it appears he feels pretty well at home throwing down with Ben. Sidewalk Prophets have announced that on August 28, their new album Something Different will be available, and is currently up for pre-order.
If you have never seen these guys live, you are missing a truly blessed experience, not only are they gifted musically but they also wear their hearts on their sleeves and have a tremendous sense of humor.
They shared two brand new songs with the crowd that evening, the first release off Something Different Prodigal , and the other selection I believe was called The Kings Table. Don't quote me on that title but based on the lyrics that is what I gathered. This song brought me to tears that evening as I stood there thinking of all the people walking around at the festival that could hear this call to salvation. God longs for all of us no matter what our current status, situation or circumstances are to come and dine with Him at His table of righteousness. Only through Him can we celebrate true freedom.
About half way into the concert Dave and Daniel created a very charming reflective moment to share with the crowd. A song titled Doubting Thomas. Originally created by one of Dave's favorite bands, Nickel Creek. This song is no lightweight in the lyrical boxing ring. It is very raw and I had to share the official video (below) because now, not only do I know Sidewalk are gifted musicians, but they also have wonderful taste in music.
One of the most profound moments of the night seemed to be when Sidewalk felt led to lead the crowd in the glorious hymn How Great Thou Art.
Dora was running a little late getting to the festival and was specifically trying to get there on time to see Sidewalk Prophets. Though she thought she was running late physically God had her arriving just on time spiritually. When she was approaching the stage she came upon How Great Thou Art which was the same song her Father sang at her Son Dominick Howard Brady's funeral on May 14,2014.
Dominick loved the Detroit Tigers so much that he drove around with their logo covering the back window of his car. Friends of Dominick now sport the same symbol in his memory on their vehicles. They also say that he was a young man of few words but a couple weeks before he went to be with the Lord they were hanging out on top of the dugout one night where they played for so many years and he looked up to the sky and said, "There HAS to be something more out there!"
Dominick and his Mother Dora used to listen to Sidewalk Prophets together in the car and she would always look at him in that way only amazing Mothers can and say, "Be strong in the Lord and, Never give up hope. You're going to do great things, I already know. God's got His hand on you so, don't live life in fear. Forgive and forget but don't forget why you're here. Take your time and pray, These are the words I would say."
Dora told us that Dominick would always roll his eyes at her when she would do that, but she finds strength in those lyrics now herself. Many people have asked her why she is not angry at God for taking Dominick home at the young age of 19. As she began to wipe away tears she told us, "I know he lived a good life, I trust God and know that if given the chance Dominick would not want to come back to this world at all. He is in the presence of the Lord and I find comfort in knowing that He had a relationship with Christ before he was in that car accident. Several of his friends have gotten to know the Lord through his passing and I am grateful for the time I had with him while he was here."
Sadly we all know we have to let loved ones go, and sometimes it's extremely unexpected. What's important is we remember the gift they was to us while they were here. Though the pain of them not being with us on this Earth is often overwhelming we know this is not goodbye. "It's just I love you to take with you until you're home again. "
As an Alumni student from Clinton Massie High School, Dominick has forever left his stamp on the playing field where he loved to be. As a memorial in his loving memory the school has given him his wings in honor of his love for the game.
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| Christmas 2013 Dominick with his mom and two older brothers Michael and Jimmy. On the right His Memorial on the field. |
"Mom, it's OK, I'm good and I love you."
"For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life." - Titus 3:3-7
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