The words of my brother Sebastian ring in my ears still--
It's a new day.
It's a new day...
What a way to start the year.
My stare rests blank on blank journal pages... Empty lines pleading to be filled with the fullness of days behind me.
Of waking high up, under Hilton-branded down, exhausted. Of learning to trust each new logistical catastrophe with the Ultimate Authority. Of joy overflowing while directing thousands of people through registration line. Of listening to 7,000 people sing I'll Go Where You Want Me To Go right at my feet. (There is nothing, nothing like it in the world.) Of praying with seasoned soldiers, and nervous musicians. Of watching eyes water at God's goodness. Of investing in beautiful young lives. Of having my burdens lifted by the Merciful God through my humble, brilliant team. Of hearing God's name praised over my broken efforts. Of 190 voices and instruments singing Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah!
Of quieter moments. Behind a lens. Behind the stage. Discussing purpose with one friend, and the 85 Prime with another. Of grabbing my little sister's arm every time I saw her. Of the joy of walking back over to the Hilton and finding 5 other Nebbletts in the room at random in the middle of the day (if only for 45 seconds). Of sunrise over Houston from the skyline patio 23 floors up. Of words-- words from old friends and new that gripped; moved; changed.
My spine tingles.
And that's not even the start. I don't know where to start.
So I won't even try... not now.
I'll just tell you the bottom line. The thing I most want to remember from GYC 2011.
You've heard of Murphy's law, no doubt?
I've learned there's one greater.
Maybe we should call it Houston's law.
Houston: City of Miracles. Where almost every dept. encountered some kind of logistical catastrophe, but nobody ever noticed. But called it instead the conference of conferences...
Because when the enemy is against it, but God is in it--
Anything that can go wrong, will be extra fuel for Glory.
It's a new day.
Amen and amen...my heart rings with you. What a conference and what a God! May we never forget the "city of miracles". Fill us this year...our earnest plea.
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ReplyDeleteMmmm... amen! And you're right, nobody ever noticed the fuel - but the glory.. will stay forever. No regrets.
ReplyDeleteIndeed the conference of conferences... and very hard to put into words.
ReplyDelete(I could see the tingle from the top of your head to the bottom of your feet while we sang I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go. ;-) It was an awesome moment!!)
[and not sure what happened to my first comment...]
ReplyDelete@Esther: No regrets is so right.
ReplyDelete@Emily: Could you really?! Boy did I ever FEEL it. Wow.
A big thank you to your family and all the others who did so much to keep everything moving. God blessed in more ways than we will ever know. Everything spoke to the heart and drew us heavenward--from the sermons to the choir practice. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteLittle does the city of Houston know what took place there. The changed lives, renewed commitments, and inspiration received are recorded in heaven. Praise God for the many volunteers and attendees who are longing to bring God glory! Keep the faith and fire alive. Blessings!
ReplyDelete@Sean: I think I just saw the result of it. It was definitely contagious!!
ReplyDeleteWish I could have been there too but I did get to watch a little online! Defenetly it moved me:) I so want to be used! Looking forward to OK FCM Lord willing:)
ReplyDeleteEJZ
Here too... Though miles and miles away, the force of His Spirit, the weight of His miracles--it reached here too...
ReplyDeleteAnd I can't wait for heaven, where we'll see how far and wide the miracles from Houston actually extended...
So what I was going to tell you about the music before I got interrupted was: the music was different this year, and it was a good different. Maybe you know what I mean? Thanks for all your behind the scenes work.
ReplyDeleteWow, from my perspective everything was awesome and it appeared that all was running smoothly. But I did hear that something went wrong at registration, but when I went through it was a breeze, took me about 30 seconds. :) No body noticed a thing, and it was a blessing to everybody. I know what it's like to work behind the scenes though when things aren't going right. Crazy. It was a great conference!
ReplyDeleteAll because of Jesus, Beth... All because of Jesus. Somehow I do know what you're talking about. But it moves me to hear you say it. I dedicated the lion's share of a conference call to praying for just that as a committee... But even then, I never guessed I would hear it from the mouths of attendees. My faith is small. God is great. Thank you.
ReplyDeletePraise God! To Him be the glory. In our weakness He is glorified!!! "What shall we then say to these things? IF GOD BE FOR US, WHO CAN BE AGAINST US!?" Rom 8:31
ReplyDeleteOh yes, those moments of singing " I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go" and blending my voice with 150 others in "hallelujah" were moments I will not soon forget...maybe never. Can't you wait till we get to stand on the sea of glass and join with many many more thousands in perfect praise to our Redeemer? Talk about tingling... :)
ReplyDeleteI already started listening to the recordings of GYC, I am so blessed even though I wasn't there. I got the tingle also while watching those moments of singing "I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go". What an encouragement to see all of those young people there wanting to do whats right. Lord willing, I hope to be there next year...
ReplyDelete@Hope: Yes... oh yes.
ReplyDelete@Kitten: Would love to see you there! :)
Nor was I the only attendee who noticed. God is good. :-)
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