4:24

The 4:24 Prayer Campaign.....as stated in the Gathering guide:
"
Acts 4:24
When they heard it, they raised their voices together to God...

Daily conversation with God is important. Based on Acts 4:24, the 4:24 Prayer Campaign is designed to provide youth and others with a time of intentional prayer and reflection. Whether it is lifting the concerns of our own hearts or joining together in a unified word, we encourage each other to pray. So, at 4:24pm, no matter where you are during the Gathering, the Lutheran Youth Organization invites you to stop and pray as a community of Christ.
"

It was spectacular....the first day that I witnessed this I was standing in the Augsburg Fortress section of "El Puente" (the HUGE activity area) and waiting in a long line with some lovely ladies from outside Chicago.....an announcement came over the loudspeaker....and the space...which was a second before a cacophany of noise and laughter....was dead silent....you could feel the Spirit joining us all. Just AMAZING.

So...I set my cell phone alarm for 4:24 and I've been observing it since!

this just in...

So, as of late i've become quite comfortable discussing with a handful of people in my circle that I'm considering seminary...good!

In San Antonio, many people assumed I was already a pastor...kewl!

Why did the chicken cruzando the road? ha ha

What I did on my summer vacation.

I went to the hottest place in July.....Texas.
To chaperone our pint-sized youth group to Cruzando!
It was amazing. I am just so impressed with the immaculate organization of this whole event. It seemed as though everything was thought of from the 24hr info line, to the morning communion services, nifty backpacks, Cruzando! pocket bible....well staged events every evening.....booths and workshops of absolute interest. Access to all that is Augsburg Fortress and Old Lutheran tshirts minus the shipping!

Lutheran youth and young at heart quite simply took over the city! You could feel and see the spirit move throughout us all.
The city of San Antonio was a gracious host!

Highlights:

The backpacks! So neat! (fair trade, naturally).
Bishop Hanson dancing to the ELCA song (tune of YMCA).
Meeting so many great kids and pastors and youth leaders.
Getting to the Alamo Dome early enough one evening to get on the floor and join the hyperspeed conga lines!
Getting a "Luther is my Homeboy" tshirt!


I'm ten years removed from these youths, but I think all of the adults appreciated and got as much from this event as the young whippersnappers. I spoke with many kids who were seniors this year...and really wanted to come back in 3 years as an adult!

And oh the music! The house band was SPECTACULAR! I heart Lost and Found too btw. There were one or two acts that I could've done without...but it's all good.

Don Miller, SPECTACULAR speaker. I've been meaning to get Blue Like Jazz for a while.....but didn't....and by the time I tried to down there....the Spanish edition was all that was left. I got another one of his books and am enjoying it right now.

Just all positives for this event.

Praise to all in the ELCA who made this happen...it's amazing!


links
videos from week 2 (including Bishop Mark gettin' down)
http://www.elca.org/gathering/video/index.html

Lost and Found
http://www.speedwood.com


Many ideas for next time to make it even more fun for the kids.
Saw some funny group t-shirts.

Big Exhale

Man, have I got a lot to post about.
I'm going to have to weigh it all out first.
Maybe I'll start with the ELCA youth gathering since that was so positive :)

but not tonight!

ELCA Youth Gathering

Week 2....next week...I'm going.....who else?

Can't wait!!

1776

Since it's one of my favorite musicals...like...EVER:
From the RevGals
And a bonus 1776 category for the Broadway fans among us:

1) Favorite Patriot
Adams! All the way! (or more so in favor of William Daniels!)

2) Favorite Tory
Dickenson...great costumes! His acting is most enjoyable...great speaking voice.

3) Favorite Wife
ohh....can't pick one..they both have their advantages

4) Favorite Song
Hmm....silly....Dear Mr Adams(what is it called? When they're deciding who writes the darn thing)....quite silly.....
Serious.... Anybody There..

5) Favorite Line
Upon Jefferson telling Adams that after a week he has not written the declaration....Adams says "Good God man, you've had a whole week. The entire earth was created in a week." to which Jefferson responds "Some day...(pause) you must tell me how you did it.".


Booyah.