We had such an amazing church service this morning - I just had to share. One of the things I love most about our church (I was crying all the way home today talking to Scott about it) is that we have an AMAZING youth group. I love to see them each Sunday sitting at the FRONT of the church with their arms raised praising God. These kids are just in love with Jesus. And year after year, I watch a lot of them being called into the ministry and following that call. It never ceases to inspire me.
And as a mom - it means the world to me because I want so badly for Harper and baby #2 to be raised in that kind of youth group - with friends who don't just like church but who have a PASSION for Jesus. That's my heart's desire for my children - to be so in love with Jesus that nothing else matters.
This weekend our church had a huge DNOW weekend where hundreds of teenagers spend the weekend in host homes and go to services and spend time learning about God. This morning was the big service to end the weekend and it was the best service I have ever been in. We had a great guest preacher and music but the BEST PART was 28 teenagers got baptized this morning. The majority of those kids got saved this weekend. (and as each teenager got baptized - the other hundreds of kids cheered and clapped so loud. I loved thinking that they weren't cheering because their friends scored a touchdown or made a winning basket - they were cheering to see their friends get baptized. There is nothing greater!) I'm so thankful for a church who doesn't just want to be bound to four walls but who has a heart to reach others for Christ.
This is our youth choir (and adult choir) singing one of my favorite songs "Revelation Song".
The theme for the weekend was "Shift" and they were talking of shifting their priorities from "me" to "God." Jeff Johnson was the music leader and he sang this song he wrote that I LOVE and the words really struck home to me today :
Ruin desires for my own selfish gain
Destroy the idols that have taken Your place
'Till its You alone I live for,
You alone I live for.
