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.
The Pleiades And Orion
John Michael Talbot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The Pleiades and Orion
Turning darkness into the light of the dawn
And darkens day into the night
Who calls from the waters
Renews the world in the falling rain
And who strides the height of creation
He formed the mountains
And created the wind
And through His Spirit
Declares His thoughts to men
He formed the mountains
And created the wind
And through His Spirit
Declares His thoughts to men
He who created
The Pleiades and Orion
And who strides the height of creation
He is the Lord the God of Hosts by name
The lyrics of John Michael Talbot's song "Pleiades And Orion" are a powerful testament to the creative and destructive power of God. The song draws its inspiration from the book of Amos in the Bible, which speaks of God's ability to turn darkness into light and to bring order out of chaos. The song begins with a reference to the Pleiades and Orion, two of the most prominent constellations in the night sky. These celestial bodies serve as a metaphor for God's ability to bring light to the darkness and order to the chaos of our lives.
The second stanza makes reference to God's power over the natural world, particularly the power to renew the world through the falling rain. This is a reflection of the traditional belief that God is responsible for the earth's natural cycles and is the one who brings fertility and abundance to the land. The stanza also speaks of God's ability to speak to human beings through the Spirit, underscoring the belief that God is not only a force of nature, but also a guiding force in our lives.
Overall, the song is a rich meditation on the nature of God, his creative and destructive powers, and the ways in which he manifests himself in the world around us.
Line by Line Meaning
He who created
The first line acknowledges the creation of the universe by the divine Creator
The Pleiades and Orion
These are two groups of stars named in Greek mythology, which are a part of the vast universe created by God
Turning darkness into the light of the dawn
God has the power to transform the darkness into light and bring a new day
And darkens day into the night
Similarly, God has the power to turn day into night and bring us rest from the toil of the day
Who calls from the waters
This line refers to God who creates rain and makes everything grow, who is present in the depths of the water, and is the source of life
Renews the world in the falling rain
God renews the world by sending rain, which sustains life and growth in the vegetation, hence refreshing the world
And who strides the height of creation
God is the ruler over the entire universe, a being of unimaginable power, who governs everything in existence
He is the Lord the God of Hosts by name
This is a declaration that the divine power and ruler of the universe is God and He is known in this name
He formed the mountains
God is the creator of everything in existence and He created the mountains, which stand majestically as a testimony to His greatness
And created the wind
God also created the forces of nature such as the wind which blows mightily, demonstrating His power over the elements
And through His Spirit
God's spirit is what controls everything in the universe and all that happens is through His power
Declares His thoughts to men
God communicates with mankind and reveals His thoughts and plans to us through His spirit and through His word
Writer(s): John Michael Talbot
Contributed by Camilla A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@resolutebelle8761
Whenever I have a tension headache, which is far too often nowadays, I put on what I call "the John Michael Talbot cure." Thank you and God bless.
@GraftedOliveBranch
He certainly has some beautiful songs.
Praise Yeshua, the King of kings and Lords of lords.
Blessings from Australia.
"Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you".
- James 4:8
@GraftedOliveBranch
Praise Yeshua, the King of kings and Lord of lords.
@isaacisrael8407
Majesty of the Almighty Creator God Jesus Christ!! Praise Him
@arlenorosco6029
Beautiful song
@GraftedOliveBranch
"Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you".
- James 4:8
@pamelamiranda6551
This is such a peaceful and beautiful song. I love listening to this song and the pictures of the Universe.
Whenever I see the Milky Way 🌌 Galaxy it makes me realize how incredible God is. There's enough God for everyone. Isn't that a Lovely reality? Yes indeed it is.
💖🕊🙏 ~P~
@GraftedOliveBranch
Amen. Praise the Lord, and God bless you. 🙏
@rafmoreno7107
Ono God spirit and Jesus is messeah