PASSION 2015

The voice of GOD BREAKING THROUGH

{This was us on the way to Passion, we were so excited! We had so much fun on the bus, we talked for what felt like ten minutes, and when I looked at my phone it had already been two hours!}

     Passion in Atlanta this weekend was so filled with the Holy Spirit I do not know where to begin. It was honestly not only one of the most FUN weekends I have ever had in my life, it was so focused on the Lord!! When we got to Atlanta, we had to park our bus almost a half  mile away from our hotel, which was pretty funny. We all had to carry our bags and I was so weak, not sure why I am telling you this, I just thought it was funny. We checked in and went to our first main session.

     It was absolutely amazing to me how many people were in that room, thousands of people who were all in that arena because they love the Lord. There was such an overwhelming feeling of community, yet a personal relationship with the Lord at the same time. The music is absolutely amazing, Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman, Kristian Stanfill, and the David Crowder Band, I mean we were being led by some of the my favorite musicians! We worshipped and then we heard an amazing talk from Louie Giglio. After some pretty funny Taylor Swift references, learning all about tetelestai, and the system of the law being put to death. I walked out of that room so excited for the next day, and so excited to learn more and more! Giglio really broke down the scripture of Jesus' death. He spoke of how Christ fulfilled the system, he WAS the ultimate sacrifice. And it was no longer about a system, but about a savior. Jesus Christ brings us into a relationship with GOD. He did not abolish sin, but he replaced it! Giglio went on to say that sin was finished the moment Christ said, "tetelestai", "it is finished", sin makes a person dead, but Jesus brings that person from death to life!!! It was not Jesus' life of rebellion, it was not his sin, it was MINE. What I should of suffered, he suffered. 

     His last word is our first word.

     

We then went to this cool little thing call Community Group time. And I was apart of the best community group ever, Tyler, Leita, Caroline, Caitlyn, Kennedy, Nick, and Sara Emily. In our community group time we would break down what we were being taught, dive into scripture, and build relationships with each other! It was so fun, it is crazy how close you can become with total strangers in three days, but it feels like I have known them forever, and I could tell them anything! Also Tyler accepted the Lord as his savior this weekend!!! I mean HOW AWESOME?!?!

This is a picture of hundreds of people holding up the lights on their phones, we did this a few times during the weekend to answer different questions the speakers were asking, and when I would see all the lights go up, I literally had to hold back the tears. It is so cool to see that you are not alone, you have a community, you are surrounded by people who love you and the Lord cares about you.

We heard AMAZING talks from John Piper, Judah Smith, Christine Caine, and Lecrae. I was so encouraged by each one! I tried to pick a favorite, and I first though Judah Smith, because he made me laugh harder than any other sermon I have ever heard! But when I really thought about it, all of these speakers were so in tune with what the Lord wanted them to share, I was overcome by each session! I really loved all of them!!

{Cassidy, Camilla, and Kenndy}

   It was so amazing to room with these ladies. Not only did we have an amazing time, but it was so awesome to hear their stories of what we were learning and see all of them growing in their own relationships with the Lord! I know that we all have difficult times, but we really are growing and learning with each other and I love them dearly.

     

  I am SO proud of Kyle, the Lord is moving in unspeakable ways through him. He is so patient with me, and he loves the Lord with all his heart. I can't tell you what it meant to have him there with me this weekend, but I was so thankful. To see him worship the Lord, to see the excitement on his face, to hear him encourage those around him, and to see him step up into a leadership role, it all reminds me what the foundation of our relationship is, and why he is my best friend.

{This picture is just for me, I wanted to document that fun bus ride :)}

This weekend was DEDICATED to the Lord, and I want EVERY single day of my life to be like this. When we go to things like Passion it is so easy to think that the Lord loves us more there when we are surrounded by 15,000 other believers than when we are home. But I learned this weekend that the Lord loves me AS MUCH AS HE CAN RIGHT NOW! And he will ALWAYS love me this much, no matter where I am or what I am doing! He has always loved me and always will! I am so excited to be back home, and I am SO excited to start PLOWING!!!!!!!!