From: mike@boulder.unr.edu (Mike McCormick)
Newsgroups: rec.music.christian
Subject: Re: Amy Grant's "Ask Me"
Date: 11 Sep 92 18:12:54 GMT
Reply-To: mike@boulder.unr.edu (Mike McCormick)
Organization: Desert Research Institute, Las Vegas, NV

In article <1992Sep7.054946.24584@newshost.unh.edu> ss1@kepler.unh.edu (The Rink) writes:
>Not only have I only *just* heard Amy Grant's "Heart In Motion," but I missed
>all the discussion that followed its release.
>
>I'm curious about what people think out in net.land about two things, neither
>of which have to do with the noticeable lack of praise and worship.
>
>First, what do people think about the song, "Ask Me."  That's the one that
>was written for a friend of hers who had apparently been the unfortunate
>victim of sexual assault.  Personally, I think she is quite brave for attacking
>such a heavy subject.  I also think the idea was executed so brilliantly it
>was both tasteful and, I would think (though I don't know this), spiritually
>uplifting/consoling for other previous victims of sexual assault.  In my
>opinion, it was the best song on the album.  But I may not be the only one
>to hold that view, and I'm interested in hearing whether the majority of
>people out there agree or disagree.
>

I applaud Amy for the song "Ask Me."  I think it's an incredible song that
gives one a glimpse of what it's like for a victim of sexual abuse
and how they can view God during the time of their abuse and later looking
back at where He was when they were being abused.  It's been awhile since
I've heard it, but I remember her describing trying to get the reminders of
the molests to go away.  Something about using her mamma's perfume, etc.  I
also remember her asking questions like "Where did He go in the middle of
her shame?" (i.e. where was God when she was being molested?)  These are
the things that victims of abuse struggle with.  The kicker is near the end
of the song when she talks about something like "His mercy is bringing her
life again."  This speaks of the fact that only God utlimately can provide
healing for a broken heart and  damage done to a child as a result of
abuse.  I think the song is awesome!  God has put in my path over the last
few years opportunities to minister to vitims of sexual abuse and other
types of abuse.  One of the greatest difficulties for these adult survivors
is that the church as a whole has just recently started acknowledging the
affects that childhood abuse can have on a person.  Many survivors have
been in churches where they are given/taught legalistic (pray more/read
more) attitudes to help them get over the effects of their abuse, mainly
because the pastors or eldors are not trained in counseling people in those
areas.  Therefore victims of abuse can feel like their problems are isloated
and not meany people have the same strugles as they do.  Or they wonder if
there's something wrong with them or they're not doing it right cause praying
more and reading more is not making their problems go away.  Then, Amy comes
along and has a song like "Ask Me" on an album that is a very popular
(although controversial) that is being listened to by
Christians and the secular world.  I know this song has ministered to
victims because it makes them feel like they're not the only ones who have
had an experience such as is described in the song and had the struggles
and doubts about God that are talked about in the song.

Awesome song!

I think the rest of the album is good too.  I'd much rather my daughter
listen to it for pop, upbeat music than the other popular female secular
artists.


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mike McCormick
mike@boulder.wrc.unr.edu
Computer Operations Manager
Desert Research Institute
Las Vegas,  NV
702-895-0480
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: reykja@hpfcso.FC.HP.COM (Reykja Sigurdsson)
Date: Mon, 7 Sep 1992 03:33:43 GMT
Subject: Re: Accountability in CCM
Organization: Hewlett-Packard, Fort Collins, CO, USA