Marge and I were greatly touched by the plaintive voice and from-the-heart message when Mr. Bob Bennett visited us at Smith Chapel recently.  His guitar is truly a wonderful accompaniment to his ring true melody and message.  His songs are much more than the usual chanting, loudness, and rhythm of popular vocalists of then and now, but reflect a detailed story that cannot be easily misunderstood to anyone who listens.  Marge and I had 17 people at our home for an early supper that day and all but one came with us to the concert.

Many of us unlucky ones had not heard of Bob Bennett before, and those with us that Saturday evening were touched.   I have since listened to two of his CDs several times, and appreciate more and more how his personal experiences have entered his songs, and made his essential message so meaningful.  One can truly visualize his autobiographical life story, his hopes, his loves, and his losses from his songs.  From his early years trying to find himself, such as singing like Tony Bennett, to his later years like Burl Ives, and to his current unique style, as only Bob Bennett can do, he is truly singing his life and living his song.  We should all be so lucky as to live our passion.

He carries and gives to all who can just listen to him, the message of Jesus' Love, and of his evolving Love of Jesus.  Pastor, thank you for arranging to share him with us this summer and his sharing with us.  For awhile I felt that we were cheating him for not getting more people to come out.  However, we were not cheating him at all, because he truly has what he needs in life and his giving Christ to others through his music creates more meaning than most of us do, though it may  not be all he would have wanted earlier in life.

I would appreciate it if you would care to share with him these thoughts today.   I may have missed the mark of the man, but if so, it would likely be on the low side of his true measure.   And please send him many thanks for his coming to Great Falls.

Sincerely, Glen Sjoblom