Passion Kyiv 08

Before I write about it I need to do a little prefacing. Many of you know and read that I was a little put out that I couldn't help, and that I was even more put out by the lack real promotion the conference was getting and how some of the things had been handled on this side of the pond. These things added to my not so tiny and very smelly attitude that I had about the conference. I almost didn't go. I'll be honest and say that. (Considering that people I was going to go with were not in town due to an emergency)

So on the way there I was, to put it nicely, "duking it out with God". Telling Him about all He all ready could see in my heart (and smell). On the metro I told Him that He had about five minutes to break my heart and make it right before I got to Palats Sportu (or Sports Palace). Of course I didn't think (stupidly so) that He could or would do anything.

Was I ever wrong.

I don't want to say "I had a good time" because I don't feel that was the point or really what God did was all about me. It wasn't. But I did walk away encouraged and challenged and convicted. It was beyond awesome to see Chris Tomlin and Matt Redmen. I had never heard of Charlie Hall until last night. Seriously. He was good nonetheless. And dude, Louie in person was amazing. I hate that I can't pause him and rewind him though. I don't write as fast as he talks, even with a translator.

I was more blessed by the prayer time and the blessing Louie spoke over those in the congregation. The things he spoke out were exactly what I have been praying for the last three years. And the song that Chris sang (partly in Russian) brought me to tears. When I walk through Kyiv (and Chernigiv) that is what I've been praying and what my heart has been beating after. It was so encouraging to hear these big name, "super" Christian musicians and speakers speak it out as well. It lets me know that I am not as far out of touch with God as I sometimes think I am.

There were so many people from different countries. I was so happy. I know that on top of what was mentioned at the conference, there were Spanish speakers, Chinese speakers, Iranians, Iraqis and Afghanis (probably even some from Lebanon and Syria). On the map, some of these students countries did not have a Passion conference (due to laws and their state mandated religious views of course) and to know that these kids would be able to take back to those nations what they heard and learned is an awesome, awesome thought.

I know that in America, people are encouraged to be in a room with so many other Christians and being able to worship. I was just more encouraged that the 4,000+ people in that room got to experience good music with good, sound, Jesus filled and God anointed teaching that will not leave them. That to me was the highlight of it all.

Sad to say I have no pictures. BUT, if you all go to my youtube account you can see some of the footage from last night. I hope you are blessed.

Thank you to everyone who prayed for me. I know some of you were and I appreciate it. God is bigger than all of us and my bad attitude(s). I have many of those too. ;)

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Notes from Louie's Sermon:

Is my life gonna count? Is my life gonna matter?
~It's not going to matter if I live for me
-My story is short (5 seconds)
~It matters if I live for Christ
-His story is never ending <------ How to make my life count

My life = a match - small flame, it comes and then it's gone just as fast
Christ = the eternal flame, always burns, never ends

Isaiah 26: 8 - "RENOUND"
There is no moment when Jesus story will have the words, "The End".

If I get my flame into His flame it will never die.
~Am I working to make Jesus famous?

2 Cor. 5 : 14 - 15
God is not waiting on us to do something good enough for Him
Our story is about what He has done to be connected to us!

Sometimes we believe that God talks like this, "Do something good. No, no, no. Really, really good. And I might put my arms around you. Maybe I'll call you daughter (or son). And maybe, just maybe I'll let you spend eternity with me. If you do enough really really good things, then maybe." <------------ NO!

You know what God did? God did "INSANE". 2 Cor. 5 : 21

Me = messed up, with stuff, full of junk, issues, problems, sin is a close friend (bad attitudes)
Jesus, Son of God = not messed up, no junk, without issues, no problems, no bad attitudes, clean, holy, pure, right, knew no sin

Created Jesus to become sin.
~Not just carry it
~Not just to walk past it and go, "Oh yeah, I see it"

Jesus became me, my sin, my stuff, my junk! .... <----WOW!
...so I could become His righteousness and be made right.

God made Christ to be me so I could then be like Christ. And I did nothing (because I couldn't have done anything) and God did it ALL!!

My debt was turned into freedom.
I believed it. I received it. I said, "Yes!" "Please." "I need it." "Thank You."

Grace does not equal "Well I'm forgiven. This is so cool. I'm just going to cruise around and do my own thing."

Grace = Wow, I'm made alive because of Him. I want to LIVE to make Him FAMOUS.
That's GOD.
Grace was not easy. Go to heaven and ask Christ if Grace was easy... <---something to think about.

I'm going to live to make the one who made me live Great. <---- In that moment my life MATTERS.
~God says whatever You do, do it and be the best and be Godly. - Be different.

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To close this blog I'll give you the lyrics to Chris Tomlin's God of this City:

You’re the God of this city
You’re the King of these people
You’re the Lord of this nation
You are

You’re the light in this darkness
You’re the hope to the hopeless
You’re the peace to the restless
You are

For there is no-one like our God
There is no-one like our God

Greater things have yet to come
Greater things are still to be done
In this city
Greater things have yet to come
And greater things have still to be done here

You're the Lord of creation
The creator of all things
You're the King above all kings

You're the strength in the weakness
You're the love to the broken
You're the joy in the sadness

Greater things have yet to come
Greater things have still to be done
In this city
Where glory shines from hearts alive
With praise for You and
Love for you in this city
~Chris Tomlin