I had no expectations as I went into this convention because I had never been to one. We got to listen to the band G-1 and also Planet Shakers. They were two totally different types of Christian music. G-1 was a more upbeat and rock kind of music, while the Planet Shakers were more mellow and relaxing. The music was awesome regardless of who was playing. I was really able to relate to the words that were being sung.
We also had a speaker during the first session of the Worship Convention. The speaker was Francis Chan (to learn more about him, go to www.francischan.org). I could really relate to the things he was saying. He was a powerful speaker that hit me hard. His mother died while giving birth to him, his step-mother died in a car crash while he was 9, and his dad died from cancer when Francis was just 12 years old. Though I have not had so many close people die in that short period of time, I have had a very special Aunt die from a 15 year cancer battle (I love you Ellie, and may God be with you). Chan spoke about how you should just stop praying (not literally). What he meant was that you should pause and realize who God is and what he done for you in your life. He also talked about how praying should not be a casual thing. That is when I really started to connect with what he was saying. I realized then that I was praying a little bit too casually. I was not actually speaking to God, but I was sometimes just going through the motions. God is the one and only God and should be treated like it. He means so much to so many people. Francis also talked about who God is. Some people have their own perception of God, but no matter what you think he looks like, God is there for everybody that choose to follow him and his teachings.
God really became a part in my life when I was about 13 or 14 years old. Let me back up a little, though. When I was about 5 or 6 years old, my parents took me and all my siblings to the Lake. We were walking on the walkway, when all of a sudden, I fell into the water. i did not know how to swim at the time, so I was freaked out. All of a sudden, out of no where this person reaches him hand into the water and pulls me out of the water. No body saw him after that. It was like he vanished and know one knew who is was or where he came from. I knew though. That was God reaching a hand out to me (literally) and saving my life.
I have also needed God for other reasons. My parents got divorced when I was just a baby, but to this day I still see the effects that it has had on the relationship between me and my parents. I have 5 brothers and sisters that I see constantly. I have a little brother who is 5 and a little sister who is 3. I also have a niece and nephew who are 4 and 1. When the kids came into the picture, I felt abandoned at times because my parents had to take care of the little kids. During this time period of about 3-4 years, I really asked God to help me, care for me, speak to me, and just help me recover from this situation. God did help me. that is how God became a part of my life.
Back to the Worship Convention. After Francis Chan was done with his message, the Planet Shakers came back on stage and led us in some final worship songs. Austin Fraker, Bryan, and I all went down to where the stage area was and just kneeled and prayed to God. We probably prayed for a good 20 - 30 minutes. This was one of the best nights of my life. Austin, Bryan, and I really connected and further our relationship with each other, and more importantly we became closer to God and what he has done in our lives.
The whole point of going to this Worship Convention was to meet new people, have fun while worshipping the Lord, and to grow more in your Faith with God. We have 3 more worship sessions left and I have no expectations going into any of them, knowing that there is going to be something different and exciting brought to each one. Tomorrow, we get to here Sean McDowell speak, Jeff Deyo perform, and Switchfoot perform their concert. I can not wait for the next 2 days or worshipping the Lord.
]]>