Profile of the Obsessed (Crazy Love week 8)

Hey guys!

Last week we discussed not just loving God (some of the time) or knowing His rules (in your head), but that we all should be completely obsessed with God! Obsession is normally seen as a bad thing in society - people taking their interest or passion to the extreme, completely idolizing the thing they are obsessed with. There's the issue: they create an idol out of something that isn't God. Being obsessed with God is what He calls us to do. He wants us to immerse ourselves in his Word and write it on our hearts, to live our lives guided and completely devoted to Him and His way, and to think and talk about Him all the time (Deut. 6:7; Gal. 5:25; Deut. 11:18)!

I made a little sheet just like I did for chapter 4! I'll hand them out tomorrow at Sunday school (or put one in your mailbox if you're not there). It's a list of all of Chan's descriptions about someone who is obsessed with God. The list is by no means exhaustive, just a jumping off place. Here's a few of them that really hit me:

• A person who is obsessed thinks about heaven frequently. Obsessed people orient their lives around eternity; they are not fixed only on what is here in front of them.

• A person who is obsessed with Jesus knows that the sin of pride is always a battle. Obsessed people know that you can never be "humble enough," and so they seek to make themselves less known and Christ more known (Matt. 5:16).

• People who are obsessed are raw with God; they do not attempt to mask the ugliness of their sins or their failures. Obsessed people don't put it on for God; He is their safe place, where they can be at peace.

• Obsessed people are more concerned with obeying God than doing what is expected or fulfilling the status quo. A person who is obsessed with Jesus will do things that don't always make sense in terms of success or wealth on this earth. As Martin Luther put it, "There are two days on my calendar: this day and that day" (Luke 14:25-35; Matt. 7:13-23; 8:18-22; Rev. 3:1-6).

Can't wait to see you and discuss Chapter 9 tomorrow! :)

When You're In Love (Crazy Love Week 6)

This weeks homework is to read over Psalm 63:1-5 (posted below) and spend time in prayer. Try reading it a couple times to let the words really sink in and allow them to affect your prayer time. Feel free to pray this scripture itself if other words won't come. Remember: God already knows what's in your heart, so feel free to be open with Him!

Psalm  63:1-5 (NLT)

O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you.
My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you
in this parched and weary land where there is no water.
I have seen you in your sanctuary and gazed upon your power and glory.
Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you!
I will praise you as long as I live, lifting up my hands to you in prayer.
You satisfy me more than the richest feast.
I will praise you with songs of joy.

2016 National Youth Gathering Theme Announced!

The theme for the 2016 LCMS National Youth Gathering will be...

In Christ Alone!

The Gathering will be held July 16-20, 2016 in New Orleans, LA

Here's an article about how the theme was chosen: Theme For 2016 Gathering

I'm so excited already even thought it over TWO YEARS away! If you've never been, or if you want to relive the awesomeness of the last gathering I've posted the 2013 recap video below. Enjoy!

Night 4- LiveLOVED

The final night of the 2013 LCMS National Youth Gathering.  And what a night it was.

We met with the fellow Eastern District churches that had students at the gathering.  We had a wonderful time of fellowship and food with them.  To wrap up the time together, we played a game similar to "Let's Make a Deal" fast deals.  They asked for an item, and the first 4 tables to bring the item to one of the judges, would win a point.  Our table started off a little slow, but we picked up around half way through the game.  And guess what... WE WON!!!!

From there we moved over to the Alamodome for the final night time Mass Event. As usual, the worship was powerful with all the voices singing. The band was really grooving and enjoying the feedback from the audience.

Then for the 4th of July, all of the state's flags processed in preceded by the American flag and followed by the Christian Flag.  We sang a few more songs.

We then moved into movies and speaking times to go with the message. After talking to a few students from the convention. A movie was showed next containing different students, standing on boxes, saying who they saw themselves as.  Some examples were a good student, cheerleader, athlete, and D student.  Each student then also had other descriptions of themselves.  The D student was frustrated and what to be something else.  The cheerleader just found out she was going to be a mother, and afraid of the social stigma attached to it. The good student was scared of being alone.

Then the guest speaker was introduced. She was a typical high school student. An athlete, good grades, and had a bright future, until a simple bug bite ended her life. She contracted a very rare neuro-muscular disease. Her name was Jessica Stevens.  she went through her testimony involving the steps taken to treat her medically. It is really interesting and worth researching if you have the chance to.

She finished by saying that through the medical procedures, she felt even closer to Christ.  She found out that she was a child of God before anything else.  That every other title she may have had before can change but that one. This would be the main point for the evening. No mater what happens to us, or how we view ourselves, we will always, ALWAYS, be a child of God first and foremost.

Then we had a video dance combination of a book called "The Bush that thought it was a Tree." It is the usual, but very useful and with a God message at the end, something wants to be something else but isn't story. The end however reminds us that everything has a task and purpose the way that it is.

We then used water given to us in little bottles to do something unique but powerful again. Using the water, we make a finger wet, then used it to make the sign of the cross on the person next to us' head. During this we said, "You are new. Live Loved." Rev Dan stressed to us that this is not a baptism in any form, but just a reminder and physical action to help us remember.

We finished with worship, involving internal fireworks, pyrotechnics, and many other special effects.

We then finished the day with 4th of July fireworks put off by the town of San Antonio, TX.

Only one more day,
Hat Man

Morning Service

Sorry for getting behind slightly. These late night/early morning combinations are catching up with me. I guess I am getting old or something.

Also, happy 4th of July!

This morning we all met early at the Alamodome. We had a special service ending with communion. The service contained contemporary worship, an orchestra and choir singing and performing traditional hymns and arrangements of the order of service.

The sermon was by the president! It was a very pointed and clearly stated point that with each service and each communion, we get refilled with the Holy Spirit and the fruits of the spirit. From there, throughout the week we share what we have with others, and ourself as needed to stay focused.

We then concluded with communion. It was truly amazing to be served holy communion with 25,000 others.

Now it's lunch time. And time to get the last few events in before the final day.

Have a great 4th, and see you all later.

Jon

Night 3- LOVE lived

Love Born -- Love Sent -- Love Died -- Love Lives


For entertainment today, we explored the highest place in San Antonio, 2nd highest in the United States, measuring in at 622 feet, the TOWER OF THE AMERICAS!!!!!
We went up via the glass windowed elevator to the observation deck.  Taking many pictures of the surrounding area, including the Alamodome and Emilie Morgan Hotel.









We then went the the 4D movie "Skies over Texas" at the tower.  We waited for a short time, but the movie was very enjoyable.

The intense night previous led directly into tonight's message.  Jesus is the incarnation Love that we need; not the distractions and things we put before God.  Jesus was given to us in love from God.

The night was set up in a quick review of Jesus's life.  He was Love Born in a manger in Bethlehem. Jesus became the Love Sent to us through the miracles and forgiveness of sins.  Jesus was the forgiveness for all sins of all time passed and to come by Love Died.  Then, three days after Love Died, Love Lives by rising from the grave, defeating death and Satan and  then rising back up to heaven to be with God the Father.

Rev. Dan Weber kept coming back to 1 John 4:9 "This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him." Partly because that was the main verse for this week, but also because it is the best example of God's love.

Towards the end of the Mass Event, Rev Dan was talking about Jon 20:23a "If you forgive anyone's sins, their sins are forgiven." Rev Dan then had us turn to each of the people around us, use their names, and say "Your sins are forgiven." This simple action was a major moment for all of us. The physical action made the moment even more powerful.

Night,

Hat Man

Day 2- de LOVED

Day two is completely in the books now. We went through the San Jose Mission and had a great little history lesson while sitting in the chapel. It was truly amazing how these missions were built and self sustaining.

After arriving back in San Antonio, we explored the Convention Center Halls. Seeing all of the booths, exhibitions, and activities to do. We ate a quick lunch and split up from there. The youngins went to the Jamie Grace concert while Debbie, Becca, and myself looked even more closely at the booths. Becca got a few more books for the church library while walking around. Becca and I then went out of the convention hall to explore some more of the city but then came back for an adult interest session. The others continued exploring the halls, finding old friends and acquaintances. 

From there we met back up, had dinner, and then headed to the evening's Mass Event. We got seats on the floor on the left about half way back, and settled in for worship, the message, and other segments of the service.

The message tonight was how the world can distract us from God's love and leave us feeling de-loved.  These things include friends, jobs, money, popularity, and social statuses.  What is it that is keeping us from feeling Gods full love?  What is in the way from God being first in our priority list?

After this powerful message.  We worked our way even closer to the front for the Mass Event Plus for the night.  The Jesus Painter and Sand Artist along with more time worshiping.  We got 3rd row seats in the center for a good view of the upcoming presentations. The artwork ended up amazing but it was completely crazy how they could take one image and morph it into something else.

After this additional time in worship, we headed to Denny's for some milkshakes and bible study.  You will have to ask the girls about the thirsty velociraptors.

Night!

Jon

AKA Hatman

Good Morning!!!!!!!

...and so begins our second day at the gathering! After an awesome opening mass event we are ready for today and all it brings. Right now we're heading to the San Jose Missions for some history and exploring. 

I'm so excited to see how God is already working here and in the hearts of our teens! We are so blessed by having a great group of kids who love The Lord! Thanks be to God!

Thank you everyone who helped send us here!!! 

We'll write more later,

Becca :)

Night 1- beLOVED

Mass event and night one are in the books.  Hope you all watched them live and are keeping up with us!  I know the time difference for some may make it challenging, but here is what you missed.

Some awesome worship with 25,000 others in the Alamodome.  Songs including Sing, Sing, Sing; Our God is Love; and Amazing Grace.  The crowd was instantly into the worship and first time all of us were together and in the same room.  Skit Guys made their first appearance along with the main speaker of the week, Rev. Dan Weber. The picture above is an idea of what the Pentecost event could have looked like in modern day.

25,000 people is a lot when you really think about it.  25,000 people from all over this nation, even some from New Guinea, Africa.  25,000 that gave up a week of summer to worship God, learn about God, and fellowship together with fellow students.

We all decided to call it an early night (except for me apparently) after our bible study about tonight's message.  Tomorrow includes a trip to see local Missions, special interest sessions, and another mass event.

See you in the AM!

Jon

First Family Dinner

Michelino's Italian Resturant

Ellie arrived here around 4:30pm. We signed the light blue backpacks and a beach ball for later events.  We then headed on out for some dinner before the first mass event.

While walking, we saw a few ducks and along with the , some little ducklings.  Pictures of them will be up later on.

That is where Michelino's comes in.  We found them while walking along the Riverwalk.  Currently still waiting on food, but excited for some excellent looking and sounding Italian cuisine.

We are also all excited for the first mass event starting in 2 hours! Tune in to experience everything we are!

First Mass Event Tonight

Don't forget you can watch the live stream of all the mass events here:
http://live.lcmsgathering.com/


Tonight's starts at 9:30pm EST (it's 8:30pm here in san antonio)!!! :)

Registered and Ready to Go!

Good Afternoon All!

This morning we divided and conquered for today's tasks.  Debbie and Rebecca registered while I took Susane, Ben, and Marisa out for breakfast at Denny's.  The four of us then went shopping for a surprise for Rebecca on her birthday!

 She was really surprised and happy about it!

Now, after lunch and little time of relaxing, we are reading through the guide book, planning the rest of this week.  There are so many great interest sessions to go see, but only a limited number possible to be at.

Well, time for heading to the pool and relaxing some more before Ellie arrives and we do some more adventuring around San Antonio before the first mass event!

Jon

The Trip

Arrived in San Antonio, TX

After a long day Saturday, we were picked up around 2:45 AM, again, in the MORNING, for our flights to San Antonio.

Debbie flew to Dallas first, then met us in San Antonio.  We however, flew to Detroit then down to the Alamo.  Once we all met up, we waited for a shuttle to our hotel, the Emilie Morgan.

The rooms weren't ready for us at noon, especially since check in wasn't till 3pm, so we went out to see Monster's University (which had the most awesome chairs ever!!!), had lunch, and did some quick exploring of the surrounding areas.  When we arrived back, the rooms were still not quite ready, so we do what everyone does on convention trips:

CARDS

and

READING!

So we are all here, except for Ellie arriving tomorrow afternoon, safe and sound.  Ready for some fun, learning, and new adventures!

Jon