The Petra Zone

Wow. The world still seems a little surreal to me. Let�s see. In the last five days I have been in 5 states, seen 3 concerts, checked into 3 hotels, but only slept in 2, driven 32 hours and logged almost 2000 miles (only 50 of which were unnecessary, contrary to what it seemed!).

Dawsonville and Murphy were incredible shows. And, as my punishment for teasing Sue about crying after Ft. Wayne, I cried in Dawsonville, and then just wailed several times in Murphy. It still makes me sad to think that Petra is no more. I mean, they�ve always been there, at least it seems that way. I can�t count the number of times I was stressed or dealing with emotional issues and went off to see a Petra show and regained my bearings. And it wasn�t always so much the concerts as the going � times alone in the car to pray and meditate, and meeting new friends.

It seems so unfair that a band that is as tight, talented and has as much fun as these guys has to call it quits. But as John said, �You can�t argue with God.� I have no doubt that each of them will continue to serve God and their families successfully in whatever they do. However, since the future is uncertain for them all, I would hope that everyone will keep them in their prayers. As strange and emotional as this all seems for us, imagine what it must be like for them.

On a lighter note: Well Sue, at least no one has mentioned either one of our faux paus in Dawsonville!

I'm glad you got home safely Bridget. I've been feeling sad at the idea they've retired too, I'm having a harder time with it than I thought I would. Their music has been such a source of encouragement for me over the years. I'm sure I'll see John at solo concerts, and Paul and Greg won't have any trouble moving on to something else in music, but it won't be the same.

As strange and emotional as this all seems for us, imagine what it must be like for them.

I know.... I've thought about that alot.

I spoke with John yesterday, and really, he was in good spirits. BUT - he also said that the fact that Petra is done has not sunken in yet. When it does - it's going to be tough. And he knows it.

Of all the guys that are now "out of a job," it's going to be hardest on John. Bob is set for life; he has no worries about the future. Greg and Paul are still young and so talented - they can jump in just about any band and find work. But John? He's a singer whose voice is so recognizable as Petra - he can't really just jump in somewhere. Plus there's the age factor, that preconceived notion that anyone over 50 can't sing rock & roll.

In order for John to go anywhere in Christian rock music, he'd have to completely re-invent himself. Not impossible, but very difficult at this stage. That's part of the reason why I feel God is going to send him in a totally different direction - away from the Nashvegas scene. I don't know anything for sure at this point, but all week I've been asking God to show me - and most importantly, show John, because he just doesn't know.

I've been listening to all the interviews on CD that I have, and it's just so strange to think that the band is done. It kind of leaves an emptiness inside.

You know, in years to come we will be able to say that we've seen this band in its heyday, in its downday, and in its last day. We've witnessed history in the making, and one day in the future the ccm world will realize that history has happened - and they missed it.

On a lighter note: Well Sue, at least no one has mentioned either one of our faux paus in Dawsonville!

Hehehe..... we'll keep that to ourselves.

However, since the future is uncertain for them all, I would hope that everyone will keep them in their prayers.

Absolutely!

Let's start now:

Dear Lord,

Only You know the future, and only You know the plan You have for John, Greg, Paul and Bob.

Please give them all a sense of peace and quietness as they contemplate the ending of a musical icon - Petra. Help them to reflect on all the good things You have done with the band, and all the blessings you've given the group - who in turn have blessed others through the music and countless instances of personal contact.

Direct and guide the guys in the way they should go... give them a clear indication of Your will. Help them to trust in You totally, knowing that You will never leave or forsake them.

Remind us also, Lord, to lift them up daily and pray strongly for direction. Send your Holy Spirit into our spirit so we will be completely united with You in what we are praying for.

In all things, Lord, may Your will be done.

In Jesus' name, amen.

There's not really anything to add to that...Except "Amen."

Amen here, too.

Another Amen. I think John will do just fine.


BTW, Sue, you need to share your story. We need a good laugh now!

It's not really over. Just wait. The day will come in Heaven when they will make their comeback. That's what I'm looking forward to!

Amen Sue.

Bridget, I'm glad that you made it home safely. I've heard that you had to drive at all hours in the nite with no sleep. I bet that was interesting. I need to call you sometime to find out how that trip went.

I've been blubbering the last couple days too, it's been hard, with not even being able to go to any of the last shows, but - I also know that the Lord has planned an exciting future for everyone in Petra and for all of us too.

For Sue and I both it was nice to go to a show every so often, just to have some time to get away and relax when life got stressy. Now we just need to pray for tons of John solo shows - and - maybe there are some great Indie artists we can go see. Maybe you can come to one of my shows

You and I are in the same boat, Sam, I would have loved to have been in Dawson and/or Murphy. I'd have loved to have been at the Franklin taping, Fort Wayne, Arizona and Visalia too. E-mail me when you get a chance and we can cry on each other's shoulders. God isn't done with them.

I am thankful I got to see them in Oceanside in November.

Bridget - you mean there were only two????

Sue - Thanks for your prayer! Its only been a few days. I know God will make His will clear in His timing, and in my experience that is rarely our timing. So, when we going to have the Pethead reunion?

Sam - How's it going?

Guess we'll all have to find another excuse to get together now.
It was an awesome weekend. Too bad we missed the Possum Drop.

Tim

Hey Tim - welcome back!

I'm ready for a reunion any time... I'd love to have a concert to go along with it, like old times. Hmmm.....

Yeah, it's the regret of my life to not have seen the possum drop down onto the ground.

Perhaps next year we can all converge upon the city of Murphy and join them in the celebration!

In the meantime, if anyone wants to come to Sheboygan to celebrate Brat Days - you're more than welcome! hehehe... guess all little towns have their own hokey festivals!

I spent a couple minutes looking for more info on the possum drop. I couldn't find too much info, and NO pictures. It sounds like quite a festival, though, with a Possum Queen, and stuff like that. I did find several disclaimers about how no harm comes to the possum, and how well the treat the little fella while he is guest of honor. The PETA people have been in contact with them a few years ago. They were either eaten by the possum revelers, or they do treat their New Year's symbol pretty well.

Tom

The world still seems a little surreal to me. Let�s see. In the last five days I have been in 5 states, seen 3 concerts, checked into 3 hotels, but only slept in 2, driven 32 hours and logged almost 2000 miles (only 50 of which were unnecessary, contrary to what it seemed!).

So I take it you were at the Murphy 10 o'clock show?

So was I!

Fantastic wasn't it? What did you think about Greg covering "Dream On"?

I was so glad my son got to see them too. A very full circle, fulfilling experince.

But John? He's a singer whose voice is so recognizable as Petra - he can't really just jump in somewhere. Plus there's the age factor, that preconceived notion that anyone over 50 can't sing rock & roll.

I tend to disagree. Is this any harder a leap than when he went from Head East to Petra? He already has two solo albums under his belt and a large Petra fan base on which to draw. He will be fine, have faith.

Secondwind: I too was amazed, proud, honored, lucky, and thankful to have been at the shows in Murphy -- Petra's last. It was a special time in the history of Christian music, but more importantly, a special time for those four guys who you can tell love each other like brothers.

What did I think of Greg Volz's version of "Dream On"? You probably shouldn't ask me. I'm not one of Greg's biggest fans anyway, and that song had me longing for something I never thought I would long for -- Steven Tyler. It just didn't seem right to me. There are so many good Christian songs out there; I don't see the need to manipulate secular songs to fit the occasion.

But, that's just my opinion. Yours may vary.