Alive

[Amanda]

So in a couple weeks, I am taking my youth group to Alive in Canal Fulton, Ohio. I'm really excited. J's not going to be there this year but I'm excited some other groups and checking out upcoming people. Anyone else going?

[Amanda]

I leave tomorrow for Alive!!!!

[LauraA]

Hey Amanda! How was OH? Did you get any pictures? Did you get to talk to J? If you scoot up to "Live in Concert", there is a thread started with pics from that concert. Can't wait to hear (and see?) all about it.

[Amanda]

Hey everyone. I've been MIA this week. I got back on Sunday but I've just been too busy. Anyway, Alive was absolutely amazing.

Here's a brief synopsis of what I posted somewhere else. I could go on and on. J was not at Alive this year but there were some amazing artists and bands there.
For me ALIVE 08 was an incredible experience. The amazing worship, the inspiring speakers, the fellowship with our church members helped feed my soul. It is truly uplifting to stand in worship with thousands of other people to the beautiful music of Chris Tomlin, Casting Crowns and others. This time was special because for almost four days I was able to focus on Him and not anything else that is going on in my life. Of course, thoughts crept in like dark shadows about how behind I was at work and about how much I had to do when I got back, but I pushed them out of my head.

There were so many God moments for me in this festival. One that immediately comes to mind is the Parachute Band singing “How Great is Our God” and at the line “He wraps himself in light, the sun burst through the clouds and this light just shone brightly down on the crowd. This happened early on in the trip and set the stage for what was to come.


On Thursday night, Casting Crowns led us in another worship experience and lead singer Mark Hall asked the men to pray for the ladies and then the ladies to pray for the men. While I was singing, I looked across the way and saw a group of teenage guys put their hands on the girls’ shoulders in their group and pray for them. I later heard about my wonderful youth group doing something similar and being there for each other. That was another God moment for me.

During this trip, I saw my youth group come out of their shells and share about God and each day I looked forward to the devotions they would share with our group. Those times spent with the whole group were very special.

I could write so much but I will close with this. The final God moment came for me Saturday night after Louie Giglio had just shared a story about Ashley, who became a Christian because of God working in her life through a Christian roommate (one she referred to as a fruitcake). Because of the “fruitcake” God had sent to be her roommate, she found Christ. Louie Giglio played a part of that because of the Passion conference her roommate had attended. That roommate shared the DVDS with Ashley and she dedicated her life to the Lord and started going to a Bible study. A few short months later, Ashley was killed in a tragic accident.

After this story, Chris Tomlin came back out and led us in “Might to Save” and tears were streaming down my face and others around me. I cried so much but they were happy tears that she was in Heaven.

This story was amazing and I know it touched many hearts in that place. I pray it had an effect on those that are not a Christian.

[JC#1Nashvillefan]

I have heard about that story before

[LauraA]

Oops, I read that J wasn't going to be there in your first post. Short memory. LOL.

I had tears in my eyes as I read your review of "Alive"! It sounds like it was a touching, inspiring, awesome time. I hope you can hold on to each of those moments for a long time to come!

[inthesilence27]

amanda yeah thats a pwrful story. that Louie tells . ive also heard it before!, Glad you had a GOD breathed moment

[Amanda]

It really is an amazing story. When I got back, I found Louie's blog and went back to May 2007 to find it.

The website is 268generation.com and there's a link to the blog for anyone that wants to read it.