Thanks to AudioGalaxy and some nostalgia, I’ve been enjoying some formative music from an important period of my life. My spiritual pilgrimage began in earnest in 1982, and for better or worse, I was introduced to the evangelical subculture with which I’ve had such a complicated relationship. My musical taste around this time was clearly punk and new wave, but there was a lot of compelling music being made by Christians that fell way outside my usual genre boundaries. Luckily for me, this music broke through my snobbery and became very important to me. A lot of these recordings are out of print now, or at least hard to find on CD. Thank God for file sharing!
- Daniel Amos are still making music today. Not the name of a person, but a group, DA were one of the most influential bands from this period. Able to span genres effortlessly (they began as a country band and became celebrated as an alternative band!), they produced three albums (The “Alarma” Chronicles) that still hold up today. Satirizing everything, these songs still move me because they are honest, humble, and always looking for truth, which makes a pretty good creed to live by. Good songs: Faces to the Window, Through the Speakers.
- Larry Norman was one of the original “Jesus freaks” from the 60s, although he made most of his music in the 70s. Hippy music like his was still alive in the church in the 80s, along with other discredited 70s pastimes like roller-skating, but I always liked the combination of apocalypse and hope in his songs. Good songs: Six-Sixty-Six (covered recently by Frank Black), I Love You.
- Andrae Crouch is a man who combined traditional Gospel music with funk and R&B and made it appeal to both white and black listeners. If it weren’t for Andrae, I might not be listening to Prince and Stevie Wonder today. Good songs: All the Way, Finally.
The whole “Contemporary Christian Music” thing is a bit silly to me, but despite that, these musicians were trying to do much more than just entertain Christians. Their music helps me remember who I was, who I am, and who I want to become.
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I have to agree with all the others who commented on all the many areas of ministry that Patti Roberts Thompson has been involved in over the years. First, she was always the highlight of the primetime Oral Roberts TV specials so many years ago. I remember reading the book “Ashes to Gold” and how impressed I was that she was able to speak the truth without any apparent bitterness. Through the years I continued to follow her career, including the album “Hope of the Heart”, her second book, etc. Later I was priviledged to hear her sing often at First Methodist Church in Tulsa and have often wondered where she went from there. I must tell of one very special service one night at FUMC when she and Joseph Bias held a prayer service. I will never forget how God used these two people to minister to us that night. I still have all of the albums which I listen too often and the books which I have re-read on several occassions. Like others on this blog, I highly respect the person of integrity that I believe she is.
Patti, are you still married?
Patti,
I remember you singing when I was much younger. Loved your music and your voice. How can we get your recordings?
Patti,
I originally came to this website and blog looking for any information on you or your music or any books that might be out. It is so evident how the Lord has used you through the years, in music and ministry, and how loved and appreciated you are. My wish, hope, is that perhaps you would start a web page of your own so we could “keep” up on you or share more comments (although this site will do if that is best for you!) For me personally and I think I speak for all these others, we would simply love to hear from you (again) and know how you are doing. If that is not something you want right now, we can respect that…just know we care and
appreciate you.
Patti!!!!!
I searched the internet & finally found you here! I read your first book, “Ashes To Gold” & have the LP “Hope For The Heart”. Is it going to be re-released on CD soon? And I can’t find your second book anywhere! Your book & album were very instrumental in my getting out of the “prosperity” heresy. You see, in 1978, when I was 18, I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. I was in college & attending a “name it/claim it” church at the time. I was told all the usual stuff…eliminate negative vocabulary & thinking, “confess” my healing, & of course, purchase the teaching tapes & books so I could keep my faith strong. When I didn’t get healed, I was told it was MY fault – I didn’t confess enough, I had “secret” sins to repent from, my faith wasn’t good enough, which meant buying more tapes & books. They even said God couldn’t use anyone who was sick! It wasn’t that I wanted to be wealthy, I just wanted to get well. After about 7 years of getting beat up for still not receiving a healing, I came across your book & LP. That, along with intense study of the Bible, convinced me this was an UN-Biblical teaching. So I renounced it & left that church. I still struggle with colitis, went through a bout with non-hodgkins lymphoma & now I’m on permanent disability. But I’m serving God as a worship leader for an inner city ministry! I just wanted to thank you so much for sharing your story, painful as it might have been. It made a difference in my life. God bless you.
Hi Patti!
I love your book Ashes to Gold. With everything that is going on here at Tulsa (I live down the street from the ORU gym) my heart just aches and I am sick to my stomach. I admit that I bought the book out of curiosity, but now I held fast to the book because it made me take a deeper look into my own marriage. Everything can seem perfect from the outside, but it can be anything but that inside closed doors. I am in so much pain, and I am so confused. Thank you for your honesty and making me feel that I am not alone.
Christy,
I am sorry to learn about the trials you are experiencing in your marriage. There is a lot of ministry available, how you gotten any?
No matter what, the Lord loves you and cares about what you are going through.
In all sincerity, I hope that all will work out for you.
Hi Patti
I was at ORU and sang in the Concert Choir with you in 66-67. Just today, I found a recording of yours ‘Amazing Grace’ on YouTube. Can’t tell you how delighted I was to find the recording. Your singing always moved me and that particular rendition just wipes me out! I am sure it’s become the music comes from a beautiful soul.
Dear Patti,
Shortly before your divorce from Richard you gave a concert at the church I was attending (Evangelistic Temple). I always thought it was good, but when you sang “The Lord’s Prayer” A Cappella- I’ve never heard it done more beautifully!
What a voice!!
Is there some CD’s of yours available anywhere?
Hello,
I just graduated from ORU in 2005, and my heart is so sad. I know that God takes all of our moments of “ashes” and turns them into beauty. He did it for you Patti, and your life has been so blessed. I believe that He will do it for Richard and his family members too. I hope that you and your daughters know how loved you all are in the body of Christ. Many blessings on ya’ll and your families.
Love,
Princess
On the Tulsa World comments they are saying that Patti was divorced from her second husband (Thompson). I do not think that is true. Does anyone know? Wanting to set the record straight. Thanks.
Patti,
Just want to wish you a very Blessed Christmas. I sure hope and pray you would make a new CD or write another book,…something!!! (as the Lord leads of course). God Bless Patti.
alice
duder7@cableone.net
Patti ,
So good to get an update. Have tried many times to track you down, and so glad to find a way to make contact. Spoke with David Carnes a couple of months back, and recently came across some old photos of our mission trip to Iran.
Please feel free to get back directly at my email: lwells7060@aol.com. Would love to “catch up”.
Because of Him,
Lynwood Wells
For Gloria Lovell–I understand you are looking for a tape or Cd of Ron Huff’s EXALTATION.
By coincidence just today I converted my tape of that cassette to digital. If you read this, let me know I would be happy to share this joyous rendition with you.
I have just read “Dance of the Broken Heart,” the 1985 book by Patti & John Thompson. I’ve been wondering how their son Canon is, as he is 22 years old now? I’ve thought about Patti and her family often over the years. I hope everyone is well and happy these days.
From First United Methodist Church, of Warren, PA home page:
“HYMN BOOK TRIVIA
Did you know that the composer and author of Hymn 123 in our United Methodist Hymnal was married in our church sanctuary? John Thompson, who wrote “El Shaddai” (God Almighty) in 1981 was married on March 29, 1996. The Rev. Ken McGowan officiated at his wedding.”
You can find Patti’s books and music on Half.com and eBay for as little as 75 cents!
Here is the Half.com link to “Dance of the Broken Heart,” by John & Patti:
http://search.half.ebay.com/dance-of-the-broken-heart_W0QQmZbooks
They have both hardcover and paperback editions of the books.
Searching for the music may take a little more time, but it is there, too.
Patti: I’ve read and re-read “Ashes to Gold” and always find something new in it; it’s just an amazing book. I’ve loaned it out to several people and they all say that it’s an eye opener on so many levels. It speaks to everyone about the importance of putting the value of marriage first (it even speaks to non believers).
I sincerely hope that you and the girls are doing well. Be good to yourself.
I’m up late and started wondering what had happened to Patti Roberts and her girls. I was thrilled to see this site. I watched you, Patti, on t.v. oh, so many years ago. I have a couple of albums of you and Richard, and one that has your 2 daughters on the back of the album (yes, I still have the albums).
Thrilled to hear you are doing well. I’ve always wondered how the children (now grown obviously) have been doing. Thrilled to see you are doing well. What an incredibly beautiful voice you had and I’m sure still do have. God bless you, Patti, and your family. You have been missed!
I always remember singing along with ya’ll “Greater is He That is With You Than He That Is In The World.”
You both did an outstanding performance on that song.
Thank you for blessing me so many years ago.
Patti,
I had been wondering how you were doing and was delighted to find this site and find out you’re doing well. I’ve read both of your books and they have some of the best insight on the pitfalls people in general and ministries in particular can find themselves dealing with. We need more people who will speak out about the need for Christians to stay focused on God and to watch out for the traps.
I can understand why you would be conflicted about what has happened at ORU; I admire you for not going the “I told you so” route.
That should be “have some of the best insight I’ve ever read on…” I leave out words now and then.
For Wes, or anyone else: I am desparate to get hold of a digital copy of Ron Huff’s Exaltation – best worship music ever. Unfortunately my cassette is worn out.
Hi Patti,
I have read, reread and saved your 2 books Ashes to Gold and Dance of the Broken Heart for many years. I did write you a letter once but never heard anything back, even enclosed a postage stamp. I am glad to know you are doing good but suprised to learn you no longer live in Franklin, TN, I have for many many years been trying to move to that area, I used to live in Clarksville, TN and loved it so. Franklin is a beautiful area. Please write another book . PLEASE!1
Dill – There appears to be a copy of Exaltation now available on file sharing sites. It appears to be a digitized version of the cassette even though it is in flac format. It does sound nice. I don’t know if it is ‘everything’ – the cd (available now on ebay for $80! No way.) says 2 albums on one cd, so there may be more music on that. Hope this helps someone.
Anybody out there know where to find a copy of El Shaddi the musical. I have an old LP but it has one bad defect. Help anyone!
Thanks
Mr. Ross
I am also trying to track down a recording of El Shaddai the musical. Any help would be appreciated. Thank!