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Monday, December 10, 2007

Section 233, Row H, Seat 4

















The night was about NHL hockey, the beautifully graceful and fast-paced gift from our neighbors to the north, but from where I was sitting I kept seeing 18,000 of you guys filling this place 24 months ago for Passion 06. Yeah, we get around...London one day, Paris the next and the home of the Predators tonight. But, Passion gets around too, and when you combine our gatherings with the tours our guys do, it's hard to find a venue that doesn't bring back great images of the Movement.

Tonight we're in Nashville, where we're working on the upcoming Passion CD (more on that soon!), and took a break to take in the action from the club level of what is now Sommet Center. I love this game, having caught the bug while working as a college student for the Flames back in the days when they called Atlanta home (pre-Calgary). But all through the night my thoughts kept drifting back to those amazing days we shared here. I saw that massive cross being lifted up as we sang, "Oh praise the One who paid my dept and raised this life up from the dead." I was remembering the silence of 18,000 people, standing reverently outside the arena and filling its seats without a sound.

And I was wondering who sat in section 223, row H, seat 4. Assuming the same person didn't sit in this seat for every session, that means there are seven of you 223/H/4 people from Passion 06 out there in the world tonight. I can't stop thinking about you and wondering. Wondering if you're still going with Him. Wondering if you sense His presence. Wondering if you still believe that His fame is worth your life. Wondering if you can still feel the roar of thousands, and know that wherever you are tonight you are not alone. Wondering if you're a part of the growing wave, a generation that is seeking to bring hope, truth, justice and freedom to people all around the globe in Jesus' name.

I pray that's the case tonight, for more than buildings full, the hope of Passion is people changed. People who are somewhere in the world tonight seeking Jesus and spending their days to make Him famous.

LG

PS-Please pray for the team working on the final stages of the Passion CD.

PSS-The Predators lost to the Red Wings 1-2.

posted by 268gen at 11:28 PM

42 Comments:

  • Hey, I obviously wasn't in that seat as I've never been to the US but that blog really hit home. There have been so many times where I've been on fire for God whether at a camp, conference or even church and then forgotten. That post was really powerful so I just wanted to say thanks. It makes us all re-eveluate our walks and acts as a gentle prod to ensure that the passion and the fire don't start to die. Afterall, why should they die?? He died and out passion never should. Cheers. Loving the blog - downloading Christmas Cheer right now!! God bless over this Christmas season, Richard - Adelaide, Australia!

    By Blogger Hugo, at 12/11/2007 12:14 AM  

  • louie, the fact that you like hockey makes you even cooler haha.

    praying and excited for the new passion cd. i am so excited to hear glimpses of the days we spent in atlanta at p07 and at passion boston.

    By Blogger Joe, at 12/11/2007 1:23 AM  

  • This comment has been removed by the author.

    By Blogger Chris, at 12/11/2007 2:20 AM  

  • excited to hear about the new disc! any hints as to what tracks we will be graced with other than the title track? not that my opinion matters, but i would love to hear Christy singing None But Jesus on that chilly Atlanta night and CT singing a 7 minute version of Glory in the Highest the next morning. Thanks for all you do team!

    By Blogger Chris, at 12/11/2007 2:21 AM  

  • thank you for the incredible challenge and reminder Louie. i had to just stop when i came across the line that said ...

    "Wondering if you still believe that His fame is worth your life."

    i was at passion '06 and i wonder too if my life is being lived for the fame of God each day. He is so worthy of everything, especially, our lives. thank you for challenging a generation to live for what matters most. :D

    i'm praying and looking forward to hearing about what God will do in the regionals! can't wait for the cd too!

    By Blogger Matt, at 12/11/2007 3:24 AM  

  • Thanks Louie!
    This was a great reminder! I was not at Passion 06, but my husband and our college students were there...and that is when my husband's life was redirected toward college ministry, and it was at Thirsty 06 that mine was! (Thats why we love yall and Passion so much!) Passion 07 effected us all in ways that I cant express....
    Anyway, thanks for the reminder of what we Live For...I lose sight of that so quickly!
    His Fame IS worth my life!
    ~Love from B'ham

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 12/11/2007 9:45 AM  

  • Hi Louie,
    It's so good to hear from you and know all of your trips went well. This post was really wonderful (and the timing was great, too, because I had just finished listening to Jesus Paid It All), because even though I didn't make it to Passion '06, Passion '07 is still very fresh in my mind. Can you believe it has almost been a year?! It was one of those moments that you store in a special place in your memory, so that whenever you need to go back you just bring it out and it feels like yesterday. What you said about wondering if we still believe His Fame is worth our life really struck me, because I believe that now more than I even did after '07. What God does at things like Passion never die or fade, it just continues to grow- like that little cell with 6-foot-long DNA :). So be encouraged today, because it is ALL so very worth it. God bless you all and Merry Christmas!

    By Blogger Aslan's Girl, at 12/11/2007 10:09 AM  

  • i cant wait for the passion CD!!!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 12/11/2007 5:49 PM  

  • Hello Louie,

    I cannot wait for the new Passion CD. I am still praying for the studio process as well as still praying for the logistics to come together for the 2008 Passion
    World Tour.

    Second, thanks for the reminder and the challege for us to remember "that His fame is worth our life." TO always live with the purpose to be willing vessels to fufill God's story in our lives on a daily basis.


    I just want to say that Carolina Hurricanes ROCK !! I also love Ice Hockey, football,along with gymnastics and tennis !!! Here's Hoping the Canes can bring another stanley Cup home again to NC !!!!

    Keeping the Passion & flame alive allowing streams of Living water to flow over my soul !

    God Bless,
    Angela

    By Blogger Unknown, at 12/11/2007 8:29 PM  

  • P.S. Thank you for your 2 most currents talks. They are most definately appropriate for what I am experiencing at the moment. You are right on target with the heart of God as to what He wants you to communicate to his people. For this reason, I am grateful that You and Shelley are fufilling your part in God's story.

    God Bless,
    Angela

    (extended passion family member !)

    By Blogger Unknown, at 12/11/2007 8:59 PM  

  • i echo what chris said above...i would love to hear christy's "none but Jesus" outside the georgia dome and the arena from that chilly night. that song brought tears to my eyes.
    glory in the highest is my fav tomlin song, and we were all worshiping so much when he played it on thurs morn at passion07. i would love to hear those two!

    God bless with the studio production!

    By Blogger Joe, at 12/11/2007 10:08 PM  

  • Hey Louie. Didn't know you like hockey, i am a huge fan myself.

    Thanks for the talk "The Anchor of Hope", like many of us I could relate to the fact that life hurts, and sometimes badly. I know how it is to think that God doesn't care, to feel angry, and question your faith. I have struggled with huge depression/anxiety during my 2nd year of university and barely past my final exams. I've never seen so much darkness in my life, and that only after becoming a Christian few years ago. I wondered what God was doing, if anything.

    Not going to say that there is a miraculous turn around, but I am doing much better now.

    I just wanted to share that because many people think a Christian should not feel this way, and don't understand the whole mental health thing.

    I am still going for Him and still in the game. So if anyone felt the same thing as I did, please don't turn away from Jesus, because He is still our Answer and our Saviour.

    I just had to realize God is God, and I can't understand Him always, and your talk captures that. Thank you for it.

    For His name and Glory!
    Shine,

    Passioner from the centre of hockey universe (Toronto, Ontario).

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 12/11/2007 10:28 PM  

  • Hey - thanks for the blog... great stuff.
    I am eagerly awaiting the new CD :)
    Merry Christmas!!!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 12/11/2007 11:22 PM  

  • Thanks for the post LG! I needed a little bit of encouragement today.. (it's finals!) And when you said, "I can't stop thinking about you and wondering. Wondering if you're still going with Him. Wondering if you sense His presence. Wondering if you still believe that His fame is worth your life." MAN! That got me pumped up!! :-D Praying for you and the Passion team and waiting for the new CD to come out. We all know it is going to be fantastic. :-D

    By Blogger Ashley, at 12/12/2007 9:02 AM  

  • I live in Nashville and attended both Passion '06 & '07. I have been to many events at the Sommet Center, most recently KEITH URBAN, but nothing ever compares to the Passion events. Such sweet memories - everytime I enter that place I see beautiful images of the body of Christ, representing so many different countries, worshipping JESUS! Thank you, Louie, & the entire PASSION team for everything you do each day to bring Jesus to people around the world & showing us all how to See the World Through His Eyes! You are in my prayers!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 12/12/2007 3:00 PM  

  • I was at Passion 05. Nowhere near Section 233, Row H, Seat 4 (I was the front row junkie always front and center before the stage), nevertheless I was there. Every fiber of my being transformed to the Glory of God. I have not strayed from God since P05, my walk with Him gets stronger, my passion for His fame burns hotter. I am always learning new ways to die to myself and live for Christ. I can't shake the tremble in my soul, the call of God to live my life out for Him no matter the cost. I don't care what this world thinks of me, in the end nothing matters but God's opinion and I pray my life will bring him glory and he will say "well done good and faithful servant".

    This fire in my soul started before P05, however it was at P05 that the fire was fueled and now rages inside me. I am so thankful for those 4 days in Nashville. I am so in love with God!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 12/12/2007 3:59 PM  

  • passion 06 = lifechanging

    rick from ireland

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 12/13/2007 1:09 PM  

  • Louie,
    Both of my children were at Passion 06 but I have no idea where they sat!

    HOWEVER, I DO want to encourage you by telling you that they BOTH are still living for HIS fame and HIS renown.

    This minisitry is making a HUGE difference in this generation and that is why I have signed up to volunteer at the DC conference. Yesterday I was wondering if I really want to use 3 vacation days to work at your conference, but this blog stirred my heart and YES! Three vacation days are just a small price to pay to help spread Jesus' fame and His renown to all the world!

    All praise and glory to God for what He has done through you and your team!

    Blessings from Maryland!

    By Blogger Phyllis, at 12/13/2007 1:55 PM  

  • Hello Brothers & Sisters at Passion!
    I don't know if I ever sat in that seat at Passion '06 or '05 for that matter, but I was there. I do know that I would end up in the arena for pieces of amazing worship in the 200 level.
    You see, I was there, as a volunteer. Serving food. But actually it was Passion '06 that the Lord showed me more of His will for my life.
    Long ago in my new walk with Jesus, as the passion in my heart grew for intimacy with Him, I would sit and sing to Him for hours. Writing songs, worshipping and playing my guitar. Before I knew Him, I never played the guitar, but He gave me a heart of worship.
    It was this last night, the Lord spoke to me. As I was seeking His will for me in the body of Christ and in His Kingdom. He showed me, and made it clear that I had a passion to intercede during worship for all who come; whether its Passion, church, a concert, etc.
    I often remeber that night. Sometimes with tears. How sweet is His presence! There is something special about those new encounters and revelations with the Lord, that stand out so much. This is one of them. I have thought much about this night. Especially this year, as the journey through the valley has seemed cold, dark, distant or fruitless.
    I have pushed through, knowing that His greatness is worth it. To not give up. To continue pursing, serving, worshipping and interceding, even when it doesn't feel like I can reach His heart or presence. He has been faithful and WILL always be faithful. Though weeping may endure for a night joy comes in the morning! And YES His joy has come, with the blessing of Him writing His name on my life. I am His. I am His. I am His.
    You see, the Lord has taken me through a valley this year or over the past few months, to prove Himself faithful, to prove Himself to be my Husband, my Beloved, my Provider (both physically and spiritually), my Protector, my Sustainer, my Hope, and my Promise.
    Though the valley was painful, and often times, frightening, I would walk through it again, to gain what I have learned, and be clothed in His mercy, righteousness and His name in this new way, again.
    So, if you have or are struggling since Passion '06, and it feels that He is not there, speak to Him anyway. If you turn on the worship from Passion '06 and remember those incredible encounters with Him, and you think, "was this just a hype?" b/c you can't feel Him, praise Him anyway. If you give yourself to others in service and it seems you can't find His love in your heart, give anyway, love anyway, selflessly. HE IS and WILL reveal to you Himself. He is not a hype, He is Jesus. He is alive. He lives. He rose from the dead, and not just His spirit. He conquered death, completely and everything that wants to hold you back from experiencing a spiritual life in Him. When you can't feel Him, abide anyway for He is there. He in you, and You in HIM. Just as He is in the Father and the Father in Him.
    Lord, thank you for who You brought together those nights bringing in the new year of 2006, under a canopy of worship of Your presence. Thank you for sending me to Passion '07 to intercede for this generation. Thank you for those who have discovered freedom, hope and joy in You. Thank you for revealing Yourself to us. Thank you for ALL who sacrificed those nights to lead, even when they could not feel You, but then later found You to be faithful. Thank you for the valleys, thank You for the refiners fire, thank you for the testing. Thank you that we are not being conformed to this world, but are being transformed by the renewing of our minds in Christ Jesus. Thank You, that we know You. Thank You for making us desperate to come to Your table to sup with You.
    GLORY! SHINE! GO!

    With Love,
    Jennifer in Chattanooga

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 12/13/2007 4:20 PM  

  • Jennifer in Chattanooga ~
    That's a very sweet offering you give - prayer. Keep it up!

    By Blogger Kendra, at 12/13/2007 7:36 PM  

  • Louie,

    wow what great thoughts, and yes with all of my life I am running hard after HIM! thanks for taking time out even at a hockey game to think of your brothers and sisters in Christ. Can`t wait for the cd ( dvd)? I love hockey too , Go Wilds!!

    I pray that your christmas season so far is truly being filled with His joy! Get ready to go nuts!!
    Praying for all of you.

    By Blogger Liz, at 12/13/2007 11:46 PM  

  • Any chance that this could be a double CD? One's just not enough!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 12/14/2007 12:50 AM  

  • Very excited for the passion cd :)
    I will pray for it!
    I was at Passion 07, Passion: Chicago, and yes, HIS RENOWN IS WORTH MY LIFE :)
    I am still running toward Him! Thanks so much for being real Passion team!Thanks Louie for the reminder! Yes, what God does in places makes them never the same!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 12/14/2007 2:27 PM  

  • hey, i'm trying to find the date for the Thirsty08 conference - anyone know it? i can't find it on any 268 website...thanks...

    By Blogger Audrey, at 12/14/2007 4:31 PM  

  • Father, we as for a new Passion CD that glorifies you with excellence and impacts the lives of many.

    By Blogger Lifted, at 12/15/2007 12:46 PM  

  • I'm watching the '05 Passion talk on DVD, and I've realized this: I miss having a healthy dose of truth from Louie every week online. So... Louie, we need you to schedule more talks more often in more places. And how about a book. Ya, a book. In fact, how about a trilogy. Yep, a trilogy.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 12/15/2007 3:03 PM  

  • Can't wait for the Passion CD to come out, really excited!!

    -James

    P.S. GO WINGS!! Gotta admit, Detroit Teams are just the best and on a role (minus the Lions, but they do have Jon Kitna who told me he's listened to your sermons).

    PPS. Gotta root for the Wings when you live next to one ;-).

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 12/15/2007 8:37 PM  

  • hey louie

    it was at passion 05 that i was sitting in section 233 row h seat 4 at the last late night. because it was the silent one, our group got split up and i just happened to end up there. that night my life changed. i surrendered my life to missions and hopefully will be fulltime after i graduate. passion 07 led me to spend a summer overseas with PIONEERS.

    this will be the first year since i started college in the fall of 04 that i am not getting ready for a passion conference, but i'll hopefully catch you in dallas. thanks for everything ya'll do.

    amanda

    By Blogger akinney29, at 12/16/2007 10:32 PM  

  • Praise God for the work He's done. I remember the silence and the way God's Spirit moved. His life-changing presence was there and He's here now, in me and in the wave of His people rising up to live for His fame! Praise God for the way He works in us to produce a true fruit-baring faith that shines like the stars in the universe!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 12/17/2007 12:40 AM  

  • Louie,

    Keep up the good work. You're doing a fantastic job reaching college students all over the US.

    I will miss not ringing in the new year with you and 18,000 other believers. Best two New Years' of my life...

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 12/17/2007 2:53 AM  

  • I can't wait for the new cd! Passion cd's are my favorite! I will miss not being at passion this New Years...that was a great time last year! I love you guys and thanks SO much for all you do for His renown! You guys are awesome!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 12/17/2007 12:56 PM  

  • Hey Louie, greetings and love from Belfast Northern Ireland, just to let you know I am praying for the WT and that everything would become clear, that people would catch the vision and that the effects would last in these small islands for generations.

    PS when you are in the UK I think you will be converted from ice hockey to soccer!
    In Him

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 12/17/2007 4:15 PM  

  • Dying for "it", of course that's easy, everybody dies for something.
    It's the living for "it", that is the hard part. And morality is not the answer that is just another word for habit. The only real question, the one Jesus always asked but most carnival barkers, evangelists, and preachers totally walk around or ignore is: Will you sacrifice what you love for me? The entire Bible more or less is God's journal about how different people answered that question. People hate, positively throw fits, letting go of familiar habits. Yet that is "the moral" to God's question. It sounds scarry because it is, very few do it earnestly and thoroughly. And here's the condition that seperates the best of the best from that group: can you do it without reward in this world? For the best of the best, obviously it's a question of degree, and the best of these we wouldn't hear about because publicity is a form of reward, even in persecution. So, yeah, 12 hours of terrible pain, beside yourself for 72 hours. . . Louie, you had a kidney stone, but I image people treated you well. Of all the things we make a big deal out of in our society, dying is really no big deal, in the grand scheme it's hardly worth discussing. But sacrifice, especially the right way at the right time with the right heart, that has always meant something to God.

    Stephen
    11QTemple 64.6-13

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 12/17/2007 5:38 PM  

  • Thinking back on the last three years of Passion conferences just makes my heart beat faster. You gotta love those nose bleed seats...the worship is better up there.

    By Blogger Garrett, at 12/19/2007 4:21 AM  

  • This isnt about hockey or Passion, but it is a story that I want to share here about a college student.

    Nan graduated this month.Whats the big deal? She is a young woman in Burma whose parents could not afford to keep and she was give to the Salvation Army children's home in Rangoon to look after. When she was 8 years old she became our foster child. As well as being well cared for in the home she learned about the love of Jesus and accepted Him as her Saviour.She loves and follows Him.

    She has written as she grew up and we followed each stage of her growth mentally, physically and spiritually .Rejoicing when she went to Salvation Army Youth Conferences and was able to worship God with other young people and when she went to youth camp at the beach and was so excited seeing the ocean for the first time.

    As she was a bright child and we were asked if we would mind doing something unusual. That was sponsoring her through university and giving her an opportunity in life to support herself and her family.We jumped at that opportunity. She now has a Bachelor of Arts (Economics) . I am so excited for her as she leaves University.She can suppport herslf and her family .I will be praying for her as goes out into a very turbulent environment politically and oppresssive spiritually in Burma and lives for His renown.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 12/20/2007 10:05 PM  

  • My eyes are welling with tears right now as I catch up on all you have been up to over the last few months through the blog posts. Thank-you for teaching God's words in a way that a college kid can understand.

    Your ministry glorifies God, and it has helped save my life. I used to wake up in the morning, knowing I was blessed by God, but not wanting to live. I would bury my head in my covers and cry from the guilt of wanting to be dead but still trying to love God.

    I went to Passion Chicago in October, and I said to myself, "I have nothing left to give." Then Kristian sang that song about God moving mountains and I lost it. I cried tears of guilt, pain, and finally of peace.

    God can move mountains! He is mighty to save me, and he wants to save my friends.

    Apologies for the long post, but thanks and well wishes to the Kristian, Louie, and the fabulous Passion team. Merry Christmas!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 12/21/2007 11:52 AM  

  • Merry Christmas to everyone at Passion!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 12/22/2007 11:42 AM  

  • hey this website has some information lots of yall may be interested in.
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    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 12/22/2007 3:44 PM  

  • Louie,
    I was at Passion 06 and while I don't know if I sat in that exact seat, I wanted to let you know that I am still out here and I'm still with Him. I still know that His fame is worth my life and I am a continuing part of the growing wave.

    ...that's 1 less of the 18,000 you have to wonder about ;)

    Thanks for all you do!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 12/29/2007 2:26 AM  

  • Hi LG,
    I <3 hockey too. I'm from San Jose and am a big Sharks fan (sorry for crushing your Preds last weekend). Anyway I'm anxiously awaiting the CD and have prayed for this project. I'm sure it will be a blessing to many of us. Happy new year!

    By Blogger davidrools, at 1/02/2008 12:35 PM  

  • The statement "His fame worth your life" flattened me.

    Ah God!

    By Blogger Unknown, at 1/07/2008 4:49 PM  

  • I was in the 200 deck that night, and I can tell you that Passion 2006 changed my life.

    I spent the entire weekend fighting my heart with my head, and thankfully my heart won.

    By Blogger Andy Kuhn, at 1/14/2008 11:40 PM  

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