Biography:
Talbot was born into a Methodist family with a musical background in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and started learning to play the guitar at an early age. At age 15 he dropped out of school and was performing as a guitarist for Mason Proffit, a country folk-rock band formed with his older brother Terry.
Talbot embarked on a spiritual journey that led him through Native American religion and Buddhism to Christianity. At this point he and his brother, Terry, joined the Jesus Movement, recording the album Reborn which was re-released by Sparrow Records (originally released as The Talbot Brothers on the Warner Brothers label).
Two solo albums followed for Talbot: John Michael Talbot (1976) and The New Earth (1977). Both of these were produced by Billy Ray Hearn.
Reading the life of Saint Francis of Assisi, he was inspired to begin studying at a Franciscan center in Indianapolis. He became a Roman Catholic and joined the Secular Franciscan Order in 1978. He started a house of prayer, The Little Portion.
Talbot moved The Little Portion to Eureka Springs, Arkansas on land he had purchased during his Mason Proffit days. He founded his own community, the Brothers and Sisters of Charity, at Little Portion Hermitage as an "integrated monastic community" with celibate brothers and sisters, singles, and families. By 1989, Talbot had married Viola Pratka (with the permission of the Catholic Church). Pratka was a former Incarnate Word Sister who had come to the community in 1986.
Per the community's General Constitutions, Talbot's title is "General Minister and Spiritual Father". For many years, he has promoted the work of Mercy Corps.
The hermitage suffered a fire in April 2008 in which the chapel, library and many common areas were destroyed.
On April 10, 2010 the Bishop of Little Rock, Anthony Taylor, dedicated the new buildings. On October 2, 2010 the Brothers and Sisters of Charity at Little Portion Hermitage celebrated the opening of the new monastery church and common center.
Abba Father
John Michael Talbot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
you are the potter
we are the clay
the work of your hands.
Abba, Abba Father
you are the potter
we are the clay
the work of your hands.
mold us and fashion us,
into the image...
of JESUS, your son!
of Jesus, your son!
Abba, Abba Father,
you are the potter,
we are the clay,
the work of your hands.
instrumental Glory! Glory and Praise to you!
Glory and Praise to you!
Forever, Amen!
Forever, Amen!
Abba, Abba Father
you are the potter
we are the clay
the work of your hands.
ABBA !
The lyrics of John Michael Talbot's song "Abba Father" speak of the relationship between God and His creation. The chorus starts off with the repetition of "Abba Father," a term used to refer to God as a loving and nurturing father figure. The metaphor of God being the potter and we being the clay is then introduced. This metaphor is taken from the book of Isaiah in the Bible where God is referred to as the potter who molds and shapes his people. The repetition of "we are the clay, the work of your hands" emphasizes the theme of surrender and submission to God's will.
The chorus then continues with the plea for God to mold and fashion us into the image of Jesus, His son. This is a call to become more like Jesus in character and action, which is the ultimate goal of a Christian life. The instrumental section following this chorus serves as a moment of glory and praise to God. The final repetition of "Abba!" reiterates the closeness between God and His children through the use of this intimate term.
Line by Line Meaning
Abba, Abba Father
Oh dear God, my loving father, protector and provider
you are the potter
You are the one who shapes and molds us with your divine plan
we are the clay
We are your humble followers, allowing you to guide us within your grace
the work of your hands.
We are the masterpiece that you have beautifully crafted with love and care
Mold us,
Reshape us and renew us
mold us and fashion us,
Mold us and shape us, to be your reflection of love and kindness
into the image...
Align our hearts and minds and inspire us to possess the qualities and values of
of JESUS, your son!
Your beloved son who sacrificed himself for us
Glory! Glory and Praise to you!
Your glory and greatness deserves our eternal praises
Glory and Praise to you!
We worship and glorify you forever and always
Forever, Amen!
We pledge our loyalty and devotion to you, now and forever
ABBA !
Crying out to our beloved father with affection and humility
Contributed by Kaitlyn W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.