So being at IHOP is a bit of a "blast from the past" so to speak.
In the prayer room I am surrounded by "kids" 20 years old and younger (and older too...)
They are worshipping their little hearts out, singing passionately, praying passionately and loving God with their whole being.
It just brings me back to that time in my life 20 (TWENTY) years ago when I was a girl of 15 choosing to come to youth group every friday night.
Worshipping my little heart out, singing passionately, praying passionately and loving God with my whole being.
It's kinda like a deja vu watching these kids. And it truly makes me smile wondering if their path will continue on, where in 20 years they will be bringing their children into the environment that first gripped their hearts.
I honestly don't know what I would have done without worship music at my youth group. It was what grabbed my heart and connected me to the words of scripture and God's heart for me. It also gave me language for the longings inside of me to love God and put him above all my other pursuits in life.
I don't know where that youth pastor is now but I realize back then that the youth group I attended was fairly cutting edge. It was basically a youth church service every friday night. And of course a meet market (or is that MEAT market?) And that was the challenge every friday, who were you getting ready to meet?
And so here I am, 15 inside, loving the REALLY LOUD music, the amazingly talented musicians pouring out their gift's before the altar of God, and a place again, where I go knowing who I am getting ready to meet.
It is my desire for you all to have this experience alongside me.
I guess I have heaven to look forward too.
Rhonda
2 comments:
Mark McKnight is on facebook! He's still a pastor. Those were pivotal days!!!
Love hearing this Rhonda..I am in the middle of reading two books. Crazy Love and The Love Revoltion. Both of which are simply amazing and take me back to my younger days and the passion I had then. When did I get so comfy that God became common instead of AMAZING...a question I was faced with in the Crazy Love book and one that really struck me.
He is anything but common :)
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