Yesterday I had the chance to go to Nashville to see Hillsong United. It was a fun trip. Because Jennifer was on call for her job, she was unable to go. I caught a ride with Pastor Sean, Danny and Joey. We left early and met up with the Martin family for an early dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe. After dinner we walked around downtown Nashville for a little bit before heading over to the Curb Center at Belmont University for the show. When we arrived, the line was already rather lengthy and the doors were not even opened yet. After the doors opened, the line started moving slowly and splitting into two sections. Since I got my ticket later and by-myself, I just got a General Admission ticket. One line was for people with reserved seating and the other was for GA. With a GA ticket, I was able to go down to the floor where it was just standing room only. I made my way to the stage and ended up only a few feet from the stage on the right side. I was roughly six feet from Jadwin "Jad" Gillies. The actual show was soooo amazing. If you were at the show and did not feel God move, you must have been dead. I am sort of new to Hillsong United, but they have some amazing songs. They did quite a few songs before having a break where a speaker gave a message that was also amazing. He used Matthew 6 in part of his message and which is one of my favorite passages from the Bible. I am going to include it here.
Matthew 6: 25-34 -
"Therefore
I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink;
or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than
food, and the body more important than clothes? Look
at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in
barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more
valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If
that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and
tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O
you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
It happens to be one of my favorite passages from the Bible, but one I find myself not following. (Hint: I am a huge worrier) Anyways, the speaker really spoke to me. During the decision time, I re-dedicated myself to God. I was with people all around me that I had never met in my life, including one guy from Knoxville. It was just awesome. After the message, the band came back and did some more music. After they were done. The crowd went crazy. Hillsong United came back out for an encore and started it with "Your Name High" from their latest album. The dancing and jumping and worshiping that was going on, was off the charts. A security guard was handing out bottles of water to those around me (including me :-) ). If you have not gotten a copy of their latest album, do yourself a favor, GET IT! It is called
[a_CROSS//the_EARTH] :: Tear Down the Walls, and came out last Tuesday. The whole show was about two hours and forty minutes.
I got home a little after 3:00 AM this morning and caught a few hours asleep. At 7:30 AM I was at church because I ran video today. Needless to say I was tired but it was so great. Church was realy special today and then I came home and took a nap. God is doing some amazing things at The Springs. If you find yourself without a church home, come check us out. I took a few pictures that I will post below. (Click for a bigger image)
Jadwin "Jad" Gillies
Joel Houston
After an amazing night of worship, I am
just a wee bit tired and sweaty, hence
the crazy hair-do.
