Stunned by God.
Seared by His grace and mercy.
Sent to proclaim who He is and what He’s done.
Those are the three words Louie Giglio ended Passion 2014 with this past weekend and it was so appropriate. After 17 years of Passion conferences, I’m always stunned by the way Louie can wrap up the weekend and tie everything together. I think it’s safe to say Houston was given a double portion of the Spirit this weekend. I am just one that is so grateful Passion 2014 landed here this year. Our city has so much darkness, and this weekend brought so much light. If you were anywhere near downtown Friday or Saturday there is no doubt you were overwhelmed by a sea of college students. I was always encouraged when I would hear from either the door holders (what Passion refers to as their volunteers) or the Toyota Center staff that this group was so easy to serve because they were kind and polite. Thank you, Jesus! Kindness goes so far and speaks volumes.
In all reality, it’s really hard to sum up Passion in one blog post. In fact, I’ve been writing this particular post since Monday morning and I still can’t seem to get my thoughts clear enough to write anything worthwhile. When you get the rare opportunity to sit under teachings like Louie Giglio, Francis Chan, Judah Smith and our personal favorite, Beth Moore and on top of that worship with Christy Nockels, Matt Redman, Hillsong, Chris Tomlin and many more you walk away a little slack jawed. But more importantly, when you get to sit in the presence of God and soak Him up, you are left speechless.
It all began Friday evening when the girls arrived at the hotel to get their room key and a little treat. (Did I mention Passion started on Valentine’s Day? Perfect. Every girl needs a little something. So we did the best we could to deliver. Honestly, things like this make me so happy.)
Once all the girls arrived we found a corner in the hotel to huddle at and scarf down pizza. That’s when I learned that every girl we were taking had never been to Passion. This would be their first time and that made me both undeniably happy and anxious. (We all assume everyone would love Passion, but WHAT IN THE WORLD IF THEY DON’T?!)
Soon after that we hiked 12 miles (I may be exaggerating JUST a little) to the Toyota Center and promptly found our seats. (I have to give a shout out to Passion at this point for reserving us seats. Thank you doesn’t cut it! We are so grateful and the caused our stress level to decrease majorly!) Once Passion began, though I was in the mood to worship, I couldn’t pry my eyes off of our girls. I wanted to experience it for the first time all over again and I loved watching as each of them just stood there wided eyed and bushy tailed. If you’ve never been, the conference is the epitome of overstimulating, in the best way possible.
From that moment until 11:00 Saturday night we worshiped, sat and listened to the amazing speakers while taking notes, walked a million miles, asked the girls what they were thinking when we had two minutes of free time and slept all of eight hours all weekend. It was 24 hours of non-stop excitment. So much so that I woke up on Sunday morning feeling as if I’d run a marathon.
I think my favorite moment was getting to hear Hillsong lead Oceans. I get chill bumps just thinking about it because, y’all, oh my word. It was a sacred moment I won’t soon forget. Not to mention hearing 17,000 students singing the lyrics, Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders, let me walk upon the waters, wherever you would call me. Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander and my faith would be made stronger, in the presence of my Savior! Yes and amen, Lord. Let that continue to be the cry of their hearts; of my heart.
Something that will be seared in my memory forever is that as we were walking back to our hotel Saturday night after Passion ended, I watched countless college students minister to the homeless. It was a beautiful sight. Food was being given, conversation casually taking place and prayers being offered. The love of God is what compels and if we’re not getting that after something like Passion, then we are doing something wrong! I will never forget that.
Since I feel like I’m stumbling over my words and not making a ton of sense, I’ll leave you with some pictures from the weekend! Because usually when words fail, pictures and hugs are the next best thing.
Friday morning walking around downtown getting all things situated and ready for the girls and this made me so happy. Welcome to Houston, Passion!
And so did this! Just a sneak peak of Downtown Houston looking out from the Toyota Center.
Our group of girls walking on Friday night to the Toyota Center! Such excitement in their smiles!
Welcome to Passion!
Waiting in line to get into the Toyota Center Friday night.
Finally in and seated! Thank you, Lord!
My dear partners this weekend, also known as my coworkers. There is no way I could have hosted 15 girls alone! I’m so thankful for coworkers that become fun friends to serve with! Thank you, Jenn and Sherry, for giving up your weekend for these girls! I love you forever!
Just a glimpse of Oceans being sung.
Saturday morning we got to the Toyota Center in time to take a picture in front of the End It Movement X. This isn’t just for kicks, I am praying that some of these girls would be called to fight the darkness of slavery, in Jesus’ name. That is no small calling. One thing I do know for sure, we are all called to get on our knees and pray!
A few of our girls eating lunch in the sun! It felt so good.
Our beloved Beth BRINGING IT.
The four Moore’s after Beth taught her heart out. We join them in applauding her and saying, “Well done, faithful servant!” Isn’t this picture so great?
Something else that is really fun for you all to see is Beth getting to run into Jack Cottrell, also known as Travis Cottrell Jr. Is that so fun?! I wish I could have heard about Passion from his perspective.
Jenn, Sherry and myself as we were about to start the last session. At this point we were so tired we were delirious and would pretty much laugh at anything.
Thank you, Passion, for coming to Houston and taking a risk on us. We cannot wait to see you next year!
Thank you, Lord, for all you’re doing and all you continue to do in and through us. We are not worthy. But you, Jesus, are stunning.
Bless you for your willing and enthusiastic obedience. By grace you are a living fountain of Hope–Jesus! What precious spirits! Thank you for taking the time to share God’s ineffable glory over and throughout the city of Houston; stunning glimpses of HIS awesome sovereignty. Lives of youths from all over dramatically changed for God’s glory. Great pics! Y’all are beautiful! Say a picture’s worth a thousand words. But not even a thousand words could do it justly– the costly/priceless relationships captured in each shot. (These are the things in life that we don’t ever want to take for Granted, or even think about it. Thnx Linsee! Happy for you, Jenn, and Sherry! Ecstatic for the Spirit’s gracious outpouring through each servant/speaker who came to serve HIM. HIS Glory they bestowed in the full of HIS glorious victory. To God be the Glory!
Was hoping to jus see some of HIS moments. “Thank you.”
Was thinking of and praying for Passion all weekend. So happy to hear God answered in such a beautiful way!
It’s awesome to read of all that God did at passion Houston! We have been eagerly waiting in India for the passion tours the next month. I am sure, that’s gonna be awesome. Praise God for the lives of Louie and all of them at Passion. Thanks for sharing! Bless you!
What a fun recap! I watched alot of it online. I have a sweet history with Passion….and it’s fun to be a big sister in the 268 Generation (I aged out years ago 😉 )! LOVED your pics! Thank you so much for sharing your JOY with us!
You made me feel like I was with you! And that I was 25 again! Haha!-I am 50! I”m hoping my young adult children make it to Passion one year soon!
What a great job you did in Word & Pictures to describe “Passion” I live-streamed it, & could have watched it over & over! Beth did a wonderful job with 1 Timothy 6. Fight the good fight. I would love to get a copy of the confession! My Granddaughter was in Atlanta. I am praying for all those who were there, that the reality of Jesus Christ will stay with them.
Stunned by God.
Seared by His grace and mercy.
Sent to proclaim who He is and what He’s done.
when you get to sit in the presence of God and soak Him up, you are left speechless.
Thank you for giving this summary of Passion! I love truth of these statements!!!! (Instead of “seared” I would use Set right with God by His Grace and Mercy but maybe I don’t know what seared means?) May our lives truly be about living these truths and the full abundant life of TRUTH, Jesus our God, Himself being the way the TRUTH and the Life. He is!!!! May we truly proclaim who He is and what He has done! I know Jesus has personally called me to give testimony to His great love, forgiveness, grace and mercy! HE IS THE LORD! The “I Am” who rescues us and resurrects us from the death and rule of sin! Living the 5 statements of Faith in believing God is a place of victory and hope in testimony of His Truth!
Isaiah 26:8 yes LORD, walking in YOUR TRUTH, we eagerly wait for YOU, for Your Glory and renown are the desire if our hearts!
Beth ‘s teaching was so evident Isaiah 26:8. Thank you Beth! Loved flow of Spirit’s evidence as you brought forth CHRIST’s “timely” WORD for this 268 generation! Still thinking bout and pondering TIME, FIGHT, CONFESSION! We must know and make known “all about CHRIST”, HIS soon APPEARING and His promises… It is time to fight for what He says is a good fight…how to fight and what to fight for and unifying to live our confessions of faith…! When those 20 CONFESSIONS (TRUTHS) were spoken by Beth the Presence and Power of the HOLY SPIRIT was palpable and awe strikingly exciting and empowering!!! The anointing of equipping CHRIST’s army/Body for such a time as this with this teaching, to me, reflected the heart of Jesus’s prayer in John 17! So needed… So pertinent to preparation for what HE knows is coming. Thank you so very much for obeying THE LORD! We know that He is the LORD by what His Word says and seeing His active working among us! His Word is alive and He brought it forth in power through His servants! Thank you! Amazed at Jesus, His timing and Presence… Thank you LORD!!!
Lindsee how can I say thinks for all you posted on this blog
I am so much counting blessing after blessing on the passion event
I’m stunned sappy crying. You know happy cry, and giggly over the pictures etc and what
Beth said bc of what was on her heart
The joy of The Lord is your strength! Stay zappy do dah Linds!
PS. Could the 20 CONFESSIONS of Faith be posted?
Hi Deborah! So nice meeting you on Tuesday. I will see about the confessions but I bet because this message will go out through Passion, we may not release them. But I will see what I can figure out!
Wonderful to meet you (and Diane) in person! Great gift to attend Tuesday and now WOF Word of Faith (haha not Wheel of Fortune-Thot funny) WORD IS BEST TREASURE (FORTUNE? Not sure fortune fits) Eternal treasures that do not fade! Nobody is like JESUS!!!
Anointed teachings,greatly impacted! Thank you!!!
Thanks for response! In CHRIST BY GRACE ALONE THROUGH FAITH,Deb
I watched Passion on line – thanks for mentioning it before it started!!! It was wonderful hearing the speakers, but so rewarding to think of all those young men and women soaking in the presence and positioning themselves for greater things! Love it! So blessed to be apart of a great movement of God. He is giving breath to the dry bones and raising up an army for His glory! Praise God!!!
Oh my, what an awesome experience. You are right about the speechless part! What do you even say after those encounters with Jesus? I was so thankful to be there this year; I will be ruminating on all that was said for many more days. Awesome that you got to take a group of new girls! Lovely
I loved how your post recapped the whole event! I was there too!! I also aged out years ago but have a 21 year old I’m mentoring that didn’t want to go alone. This was my third Passion event and they continue to blow me away every time. The Word was spoken and Beth and Louie were on fire!! My favorite part was Oceans as well! It is so hard to relay how powerful that was in human terms, but whew, this girl had chill bumps all over!!
My heart is bursting with joy for you all that were able to be a part of Passion! Oh…the lasting impact of what those girls experienced…LORD, may the seeds of truth and hope and love take root into the soil of their hearts and produce fruit…for You Jesus…for You!
Thanks for sharing pictures and words so preciously!
Thanks for getting the word out about End It! I checked it out, and shared it where I could.
Just to see and hear how the next generation is coming together, living by the Spirit, magnifying Christ, glorifying the Father is pure joy to this Baby Boomer. My son took a group of college kids from Fort Worth and came back with the same description of all that took place. God is so good to allow us to experience Him and His truth in such an amazing way and I am beyond thrilled to see our young people with surrendered hearts! Glory!
Sounds like Passion was super great!:) Thanks for sharing with us, Lindsee:)
Thank you for sharing such a wonderful time and beautiful pictures with us. It is so amazing to see God at work. It is through Him, for Him and in Him that we are able to serve Him.
Hugs to all those who help in God’s ministry! We are truly blessed! It is always a blessing to hear Beth speak, read her books and do her Bible studies also.
I have always wanted to attend one of these amazing events, but yet to do so. I heard you were going to Gulfport, Ms. and I so much want to attend, if I can muster up the money to go. God bless you. Keep all of you in prayer. Thanks for sharing a beautiful post.
Awesome!!! I am blessed just reading what God is doing.
I was so blessed to get to see most of Passion via the live stream!!! (I missed Beth but got to watch it on the replay a few days later)! It was pretty awesome knowing that as I sat in my house, just a suburb away from the Toyota center, an amazing event was happening in my own town! Wish I could have been there in person but the live stream was the next best thing!
Also- Was so bless this past Tuesday night to meet Jenn before bible study. She was so sweet- I was just sitting there and she came up and introduced herself and we spoke about Passion for a bit. I’m usually the kind of person who doesn’t mind keeping to herself, doesn’t bother me at all to sit and be with my own thoughts- haha- but I was so blessed that Jenn did that! Made me feel pretty special. 🙂
All of you ladies at LPM are so sweet and such great blessings to us ladies on Tuesday nights!
So, Thank You Jenn for that, and to all you LMP angels! 🙂
Jana
We love Lindsee, but we miss our Siesta Mama!!!
And she misses you guys! You would not waste a prayer on her as she’s teaching Tuesday nights and wrapping up writing her Bible study, Children of the Day, with all manner of things going on in between! I promise she’ll be back as soon as she can be!
Hi Lindsee that was me…pesky Mary G….thanks for responding, your so sweet! I have been praying and will continue. Blessings to you both!