Right by my side and Don Chaffer

The song (prayer) Right by my Side has been with me non-stop since last Friday.  I had a dozen visitors with me at Youthfront South.  We went to Midday together and joined 300 high school students in the chapel for this prayer time.  We prayed theologically rich prayers of the church, declared our faith with the Apostles Creed, read a Resurrection narrative from Luke and embraced silence.  The prayer song was simple and beautiful.

I could run away   
You would never leave
You will always stay right by my side
Oh, right by my side
Right by my side
And I need You
I need You
Every step of the way
Everything I ever wanted I’ve found in You
Everything I ever wanted I’ve found in You 

I didn't want it to end.  It didn't, it is still going on inside me one week later.

I saw Micah Thomas over the weekend.  Micah leads the music.  He said something like, "It was kind of interesting leading Right by my SIde with Don Chaffer in the room."  That is when I found out Don wrote the song.  I am much more familiar with Don's music of the last five years since we have become friends.  I talked to Don yesterday and told him that I have been living in his song for a week now.  Since the song was written around nine years ago he was happy that he could still embrace those lyrics today.  That is significant when you are on a life-long journey.  He also talked about writing some new kind of liturgical music.  As we continue to develop our liturgy at Youthfront South I am hopeful for more of Don's work. 

If you are in the Kansas City area you can see another side of Don Chaffer, the artist, when the Khrusty Brother's perform.

August 15 - Voodoo Lounge
September 13 - Bottleneck 
September 20 - Crosstown Station

Comments

[jason]

mike -

that song lives with me often. there have been times in my life when i've put it on repeat throughout my entire house and laid on the floor, soaking in the words.

well said, brother.

hope you are well - miss seeing you (my fault, not yours!)

-jason

[Mike]

Hey Jason,

Good to hear from you.

Peace,

Mike