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Speaking Out

Larry Norman, Coffee Shop Evangelist Larry Norman, Coffee Shop Evangelist

How a chance meeting with a selfless Christian star changed my life.

Susan Perlman | posted 2/28/2008 09:11AM

Larry Norman was more than the "father of Christian rock" to me. He was a guy with a guitar slung on his back, who had a big heart for the lost — including a young Jewish girl who didn't even know ...

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m-cruz

Posted: March 08, 2008 9:57 PM

Larry Norman changed my life back in 1977, he was one on many Christian music artists that lead me to Christ and started my walk and journey with God. His music has left lasting inroads in my life and in my faith.I had the wonderful pleasure of seeing, meeting and joining him for dinner with many friends after a concert in Pennsylvania some time back in 2002.A few years ago after learning that Larry was really sick I put together a benefit concert with the help of some great music friends, local artist and bands we raised funds to help Larry with his medical bills.On my music CD "Trip the Wire" I recorded his classic hit "I'd wish we'd all been ready" because of the power behind the words and music that call people to the giving of there lives to Christ because we are living in the last days. I am sadden by the lost of my friend, mentor and the musical influence of the great Christian Rock Legend Larry Norman M-Cruz of UpWordspiralwww.myspace.com/mcruzmusic

Anonymous

Posted: March 03, 2008 8:03 AM


Is there a biography about Larry Norman? Wouldn't that be about time? Andreas, Oslo, Norway

Bob	Posted: February 29, 2008 5:20 PM

I had the opportunity of seeing Larry at Cumberland College in 1974, it was my wife and my first real date and I had only been a Christian for about 3 years. He was the first Christian I ever met who truly glowed with the Holy Spirit, I mean when I had the opportunity to personally meet him their was a literal glow about him and you could see he truly was centered in Christ and his whole ministry was centerd on glorifying God. He also took time to minister to a female student who was an agnostic and even though she did not come to Christ she did admit there was something very different about Larry that she had never encountered with any other Christian before. I was saddened to here of his passing, but even more sad that not much was made of it in the Christian media, but I'm rejoicing to know I'll see him again and that heaven experienced a great increase because of his love for God and his willingness to take risks for God so that His Kingdom would increase.

mark	Posted: February 29, 2008 4:59 PM

I first saw larry in '69 when he was playing at Hollywood prebyterian Church's "Salt Co". There were hundreds of Jesus people around on the streets and larry and the Salt Co. were a tremendous witness to us all. I now live in salem, OR. where larry moved about 14 years ago. He was a local legend and easily identifiable as he was back then. I'm blessed to read this account by Susan and expect to read many more testimonies to larry's faithfulness over the years.

WONDERFUL TESTIMONY SUSAN!

Posted: February 29, 2008 4:46 PM

Delighted to read this testimony and specifically because Susan is a Jewess. The fact that she is serving Jesus as her Messiah all these years is proof that she really did come to know the Lord is a very unusual way through Larry Norman´s great testimony. It is hard to win Jews for Jesus because many of them are blinded or controlled by their Rabbis. But God is at work. My wife and I visited Israel last year and we shall never forget it. We pray intensely for the salvation of Jews around the world and also for the Muslims. Jesus IS coming SOON! Shalom Susan! - Victor (Brazil)

James Reid Ross

Posted: February 29, 2008 3:28 AM


Wish I could have gotten involved in the Jesus Movement everyone should be so willing and able to share their faith like Larry glad to know that a child of Israel found her Messiah a true child. God bless in Him James Reid Ross

Pat Anderson

Posted: February 28, 2008 8:22 PM

I just loved the article and the testimony. It just confirms how God moves and is moving amoung His people. He drew the author to Norman through His Spirit because of His wonderful plans for her and him. He is doing this amoung His people even today as we listen to His leading and follow carefully His instructions. The Spirit moves where it will and His plans for those who are drawn are absolutely mind boggling! Look what He did in this situation. Its all about the Lord and His plans for each of us. ps. this has a 5 star rating.

Mike Kelly

Posted: February 28, 2008 6:31 PM

Larry's first two albums were my first experience of hearing Christian music. I was in Jr. High at the time. I must have listened to them a hundred times. They were foundational in encouraging me to grow in my faith. A few months later, I bumped into Larry in a cafe in Hollywood when my youth pastor took me there so I could see what the real world was like. I told Larry about how our minister never talked about salvation and Larry asked if he could give a concert there for free. Like you said, on the outside he looked a little rough around the edges, but he was all love on the inside. I look forward to seeing you again someday Larry.

Sam Nadler

Posted: February 28, 2008 2:47 PM

How very encouraging to hear of how the God of Israel used and is using the "wild branches" to make a true daughter of Israel jealous for her Messiah! And it's a further thrill to think that this same article may encourage many, many more to share their faith with my Jewish people. And isn't it refreshing and God-honoring to appreciate the human instruments He uses to share His divine love with us! May He who blesses and keeps Israel, bless and keep Susan Perlman in that same promise of love and grace found in Israel's Messiah Jesus!

Phil Duncan

Posted: February 28, 2008 2:06 PM


What an incredible contrast between Larry Norman, "not full of himself", in this article and the lawsuit by MOSH over the Imperials name in the previous article.

A Jew for Judaism

Posted: February 28, 2008 11:49 AM


Susan, Perhaps you were never really a person of the Jewish faith to begin with? After all, there have been many converts over the centuries to Judaism. Maybe you're one of their descendants who is merely reverting back to Christianity, Paganism, whatever, etc .... Sincerely Loyal Child of Israel

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