Short Film Based on Keith Green's "The Prodigal"

While searching for a Keith Green song to post regarding another issue, I stumbled across this 12-minute film built around his song, "The Prodigal."

Along with eleven others, Keith Green died on July 28, 1982, when the Cessna 414 leased by Last Days Ministries crashed after takeoff from the private airstrip located on the LDM property. The small two-engine plane was carrying eleven passengers and the pilot, Don Burmeister, for an aerial tour of the LDM property and the surrounding area. Green and two of his children, three-year-old Josiah and two-year-old Bethany, were on board the plane, along with visiting church planters, John and Dede Smalley and their six children.

My oldest son was named after Keith's Josiah. Back in 1984 there were not too many Josiah's running around!

The movie focuses on the runaway licentious son; and leaves out the legalist stay-at-home son. But it is well done and well worth watching:


A massive Keith Green resource can be found by CLICKING HERE.

Keith caught a lot of flack from a wide variety of "clergy" and other "christians." Though white, he sported a large, unruly afro. He was honest and open about his own struggles. He gave his records and writings away, and did not charge for his concerts (took offerings instead).

He once wrote:

"I repent of ever having recorded one single song and ever having performed one concert if my music, and more importantly --  my life -- has not provoked you into godly jealousy, or to sell out more completely to Jesus!”

Can't imagine anyone not nodding while reading that, but back in his day there was no shortage of "righteous inspectors" just as there is no famine of them now. Reminds me of another group often attacked by these folks...Here's one of their songs that applies to pharasees of every age:

A Still-Timely Question

Keith Green died a bit over 28 years ago...not sure when he wrote the following, but surely still applies as a probing question for 2010:


"It seems to me that there are but few who really live with a passion for God, especially a passion just to be with Him. Today there is such a noise coming up before the throne of the Most High-the clamor of so-called praise, singing, and joyful shouting. But I wonder if the same people who love to sing and shout, loudly exclaiming the the praises of God, really have such an intense glory in their secret life with the Lord. When the meeting's over and there's no one there to listen except the only One who matters, do you still have that same passionate joy in your spirit, just to be alone with the Living God?"

Keith Green

28 28 28

Twenty-eight years ago today, at the age of twenty-eight, on July twenty-eighth; Keith Green, his son Josiah, daughter Bethany, and a missionary couple and their children perished in a plane crash.

I vividly remember being in Kansas City, reading section three of the newspaper and seeing a little headline in the lower right hand corner of maybe page 3, "Christian Artist Killed In Plane Crash."

I was stunned. Keith wrote music that ministered, rather than simply entertained. He wrote music that was Christ-centered, not Keith-centered. He wrote music that convicted rather than comforted.

If you are not familiar with him; get familiar (unless you want to subsist on a diet of typical "worship" cotton candy, fluffy junk) with him. Here's a sample of his ministry...music/message:

ALERT! I Just Found This!

RATS! I'll be preaching when this airs...I would still rather preach, but I hope there is a way to watch this after the fact...if you are familiar with Keith Greene, you won't want to miss it. If you are not familiar with him, don't miss it!

The Lord IS Beautiful

As I woke way too early and couldn't get back to sleep, I was walking outside and watched the sun rise in Pittsburgh. Just before that I startled, and was startled by, another blessing from the Lord as two deer walked out of a small patch of trees in the midst of a huge office complex.

As I pondered the deer and marveled at the sunrise, I began whistling a Keith Green tune...and now I youtubed it and share it with you. If you know Keith and the song, enjoy again; if this is an introduction, thank me later:

Keith Green - Make My Life A Prayer To You (live)

His songs rarely made you feel "good", and certainly never "comfortable." The focus was Jesus, holiness, discipleship, sacrifice, obedience.
This is one of my most favorite Green songs. My oldest son, Josiah, was born in 1984, not too long after Keith was killed in a plane crash along with several others - to include his toddler son, Josiah.
Play the video, and listen - really listen - to the words. When the song is done listen and watch at how he closes it out...

And, if Keith is new to you...find some of his stuff (to include his books and tracts) and be helped in your desire to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."

Here's a great start, musically:

A fro-less Keith Green (age 11!)

I still remember picking up the Kansas City paper on a Saturday afternoon and, in the third section, several pages in, reading a blurb describing the death of Keith Green. Keith wrote and sang music that genuinely ministered, and was a long way from "seeker sensitive" or "sanctified cotton candy."
I just found this and laughed my way through it.
If you are not familiar with Keith Green, look up his music, read his writings, and prepare to be challenged.
And, if you are a Keith Green fan, this will bring a smile!