Concert tomorrow

Tomorrow evening, Friday Feb. 11, I have the privilege of singing in a Valentine's Day concert that is co-sponsored by our church, KölnProjekt. (www.koelnprojekt.de) A German Tenor (who is a wonderful singer and musician) and I will sing duets and arias/songs from musicals and operetta, in both German and English. We've even rented a fog machine for our "Phantom of the Opera" scene. :) Jason, the pastor of KölnProjekt, will read a few poems, and since the evening is about love, he'll talk a bit about the love of God, in the context of some of the song texts.

My favorite text of the night is from the duet "All I ask of you", from Phantom of the Opera. Yes, it is cheesy in parts :), but the overall effect, and the focus on freedom from darkness is beautiful. And the dialogue, well, I've been reading and thinking a lot lately about "practicing the presence of God", and this dialogue reflects that kind of relationship:

No more talk of darkness, forget your wide eyed fears. I'm here, nothing can harm you, my words will warm and calm you.

Let me be your freedom, let daylight dry your tears, I'm here, with you, beside you, to guard you and to guide you.

Say you'll love me every waking moment, turn my head with talk of summertime. Say you need me with you now and always. Promise me that all you say is true, that's all I ask of you.

Let me be your shelter, let me be your light. You're safe, no one will find you, your fears are far behind you.

All I want is freedom, a world with no more night, and you always beside me, to hold me and to hide me.

Then say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime. Let me lead you from your solitude. Say you want me with you here beside you, anywhere you go let me go too. Christine, that's all I ask of you.

Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime. Say the word and and I will follow you. Share each day with me, each night each morning.

Say you love me!

You know I do!

Love me, that's all I ask of you.

:) Awwww. :)

Valentine's Day isn't as big in Germany as in the US, but it's popular enough that over 130 people have told us they're coming to the concert. That's waaaay more than we have seats for, and each day we learn about more people who want to come! This is wonderful, of course, but the room where we're holding the concert really isn't big enough for such a crowd. I'm looking forward to seeing how we pull it off. :) Thanks for your prayers!