Door Holding

If someone asks me years from now what I did April 1-3, 2011, I may not remember those dates because time seemed to stand still then. But if someone asks me years from now if I was at Passion 2011, I will respond with "absolutely!"

I've never attended a Passion Conference as an attendee. But after listening online to the Passion 2011 Conference held in Atlanta in January, I knew I wanted to be part of it--as a volunteer since I've "aged out" as an attendee--when it came to Cowtown. The messages preached by Andy Stanley, Francis Chan, and Louie Giglio back in January were so relevant and applicable that I wanted to hear more.

So I signed up online to volunteer, not knowing in what capacity I would serve. I just wanted to be a part of this ministry that is changing college students' lives and empowering them to reach others for Christ on their campuses. I figured that I would be placed on the prayer team or the registration team, but I received an email that I would be serving on the Touch Team.

Until I reported on April 1, I had no idea what that really meant. That morning, Shelley Giglio read Psalm 84:10, "Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked." She explained that all volunteers at Passion are called "Door Holders" because we have seen God's glory and want to open the door to let others see His glory as well.

As we broke into our specific teams to find out our assignments, I learned that I would be working the arena and would be able to hear all of the music and the messages; this was an amazing gift because they had prayed over us the night before for a humble spirit, knowing that many who served would not get to hear even a minute of what goes on during the conference.

Once in the arena, I requested to work at one of the portal entrances where they needed someone who was "friendly but enforcing" to keep people out of the area due to some sort of restrictions. I asked whether I was allowed to let those with "all access" passes into that area and was told that was okay but that I probably wouldn't have to worry about that unless a production crew member needed in. Several of the volunteers pretended to come into the area to test my ability to be "friendly but enforcing," and I passed with flying colors.

Hours later when the conference actually started, my assignment turned out to be a little different. Apparently, our team lead was not given the memo on exactly who would be sitting in sections 101-02 and 201-02. I ended up opening the door hundreds of times for the three days to let in all of the speakers and all of the artists and all of their guests. My co-volunteer decided that he would take the opportunity to touch Francis Chan on the shoulder as he walked by since we were on the Touch Team after all, but I restrained. I didn't know whether I should act like I knew who they were or how to acknowledge them, so I simply smiled widely and opened the door.

Throughout the time I served, I was able to peek in only a few times. Though I could hear everything clearly, from hours of heartfelt worship led by Chris Tomlin, Christy Nockels, Kristian Stanfill, Charlie Hall, and the David Crowder Band to Chan's tearful message to live a life worthy of the Gospel to John Piper's gripping message on how God makes much of us to Louie Giglio's message on carrying the Name, I couldn't see the stage, even though I was at the closest vantage point, because I was outside the entrance. It served as a great reminder to walk by faith not by sight.

As I sat at my post during those three days, I also noticed that the team leaders, most of whom had flown in from Atlanta and the surrounding areas, knew how to serve in ways that I had never witnessed. Throughout the three days, they warned us how draining but filling this time would be, encouraged us, and prayed over us frequently. Their selfless servant hearts taught me more than they will know.

Though I didn't get to see as much of the students as I had hoped, their energy was felt. At one point on Saturday while all of the doors were locked, the noise from the arena was reverberating and causing the doors to come open. And their contagious generosity was a highlight of the weekend as they gave $100,000 in one hour to reach a goal of having 90 Bible stories translated for a group nicknamed the Koso people.

I pray that the message of Passion 2011 will spread rapidly throughout college campuses and that I will continue to be a Door Holder for the rest of my life.

Sharing a Groupon vs. The Gospel

I've been on a Groupon kick lately. It's as if Groupon has read my mind and has been offering deep discounts on restaurants and activities that I've wanted to try for some time. And when I get in on such a great discount, I feel the urge to share the news with others so that they, too, can participate.

As I was driving home one night, this thought hit me: Am I more prone to share a Groupon than the Gospel?

The answer, unfortunately, has been "yes."

I could make a lot of excuses, like that I don't cross paths with a lot of nonbelievers. But that's mainly because I assume a lot of my acquaintances are believers, even though I've never asked them.

Yet, when I send a link about a Groupon, I don't know for sure that the recipient is even interested in the deal, and it's not up to me to convince them that they have to buy it. I only want to share it.

That's how simple it could be to share the Gospel with others. I'm not responsible for the results, only to be obedient to share.

But the truth is that I haven't made it my mission to share the Gospel. And that is appalling because it's only the Gospel that I'm instructed to share and to be a witness of "in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:8) Only the Gospel can change lives. Only the Gospel has eternal significance.

If I want my friends, acquaintances, and others to experience the benefits of knowing Christ, I, as a believer, MUST share it. This is my mission, and I'm grateful for a church that is reminding and encouraging me week in and week out to build bridges with others and to make Jesus's name known.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." (John 3:16-17)

A Heavenward Perspective

I confess that there have been times in my life when I've gone days, weeks, and even months without thinking about Heaven. In the past, Heaven came to the forefront of my mind when someone was battling a terminal illness or when Easter was approaching.

But this year has been different. Heaven has constantly been on my mind.

It started a few months ago with hearing Hillsong's "You Hold Me Now." After that, I listened to Matt Carter's sermons on Heaven. He mentioned that his wife had made a playlist on her ipod of songs about Heaven, and that got me on the lookout for more songs focusing on Heaven. Then, I attended a presentation on "Israel in the Crosshairs," and Jesus's return seemed even more imminent. And this past Saturday, I had the opportunity to hear Hillsong live.

I've never experienced anything like that night. From the diverse crowd filled with every nationality imaginable to the unabashed worship with hands raised, I sensed that I was getting a glimpse of Heaven.

As I've continued to count my own One Thousand Gifts, I'm seeing more and more glimpses of Heaven here on earth - gifts that He has put in my path to enjoy here until I get to enjoy the gift of eternal life with Him.

#339 - Being up in time to see beginning of a sunrise

#340 - Feeling of freshly shaved legs (after a long time of not shaving)

. . .

#343 - Sister's prayer for my healing

#344 - Respite from sinus headache

. . .

#346 - Robin eggs and Cadbury Mini Eggs

. . .

#365 - Psalm 91:12's picture of angels lifting us up in their hands

As Lent begins tomorrow, I anticipate that this year my perspective will be a bit different in light of this gift counting. I will continue to focus on the amazing gift that Jesus gave by taking away my sins by dying on the cross, but I also hope to see more and more of the gifts that come from having eyes opened to see the gifts that come daily, not just once a year.

Winners of One Thousand Gifts

Because it was my first giveaway, I decided to change the rules. I decided to "draw" the winners a day early and to reward those who entered. So both commenters will receive a book! Due to the holiday, the books should go out in the mail on Tuesday. Happy reading!

Seeing Is Believing (+ A Giveaway!)

It's the cure for ingratitude. It always precedes the miracle. It leads to joy.

IT is eucharisteo.

I hadn't heard that term before but am so grateful that Ann Voskamp's book One Thousand Gifts introduced me to it. What started out as a dare to count 1,000 of the daily gifts from God became a way of life for Ann, and in the process, she traced the roots of eucharisteo not just through her life but through the Bible.


Her book has been described as life-changing. But why? Because taking time to write down the little moments helps us to fully live instead of rush through life. When I write down thanks for pipes not freezing, for the gift of a snow day (or 5) at home, for the super soft fur on my dog's head, it's as if life slows down a bit.


I started listing gifts back at Christmas and just took the time today to number them. There were over 200 gifts that most likely would have slipped away if I hadn't started counting. And in the process, I've discovered what Ann says on page 151 to be true: "Count blessings and discover Who can be counted on." Prior to that, Ann says on page 150 in discussing fear, "Nothing has materialy changed since yesterday's fears, last week's anxiety. But I have. I'm changing."

As one prone to give in to fears, I needed the insight she provided in chapter 8. I needed to be reminded to trust the Bridge Builder and that thanks is what builds trust.

I have never underlined this much in a book that I wasn't going to be tested on. But I want to live out what Ann talks about because her life is not perfect, but it is a beautiful, pure offering - one so opposite from this world - that it draws me in. And I hope it draws you in, as well.

Because I love this book so much, I have already given away two copies, but I bought another to give away here. Just leave a comment telling about one of His special gifts to you, and leave your name so that I can contact you if your name is chosen. I'll draw one person's name at random on Jan. 21.

And as you're reading the book, don't miss the video interviews with Ann here. So far, she has discussed the first two chapters and done an intro. Her passion and excitement in sharing eucharisteo is obvious and contagious. I hope you catch her passion for eucharisteo and start your own list of 1,000+ gifts.

Psalm Devotional - A Sample

I posted a while back about the Psalms devotional book that my writers' group put together, but I failed to give you a sample. So while the electricity is cooperating in the midst of this icy day of rolling power black outs, I thought I'd share one of mine.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! Psalm 100:4 (ESV)

“Father God, forgive me of my sins, protect my family and I throughout the day and night, give us good health, . . . .” The same prayer night after night. The same order, the same basic requests, and the same repetitive words: “me” and “I.”

Delights that just hours earlier I had sworn not to forget went unpraised because I allowed my mind to be consumed with my needs and my desires. I forgot to thank God for the smiles, laughter, and joy he had given me. I neglected to give God the praise that he is due as God, Creator, Lord of lords, and Holy of holies.

Frustrated that my prayers failed to convey my heartfelt praise, I decided to start listing my praises each day before I lifted up my prayers. To help remind me, I use a spiral notebook and write on the top of each page, “Father, I praise You for . . .”; toward the bottom of the page, I write, “Father, I lift up to You . . . .”

This little tool of keeping a praise/prayer journal not only redirected my me-centered prayers, helping me to put the focus back on God by praising him from the start, but also made me on the lookout for God’s handiwork throughout the day. Before I started keeping a daily praise list, a sunset that took my breath away might have lasted only a moment. Now I know I want to record it later in my journal, so I pay more attention to it in the moment. Similarly, an answered prayer does not slip through the cracks of my memory as easily because I have written prayer requests down and can look back through them to note when they are answered.

It took a little work to put into practice Psalm 100:4’s wisdom and to enter his gates with thanksgiving. But now, instead of waiting to thank God until I have spelled out all of my needs and my desires, I look forward to listing my praises first and seeing how they often far outnumber my requests.

Father God, thank You for all the big and little ways that You touch my heart throughout the day. You alone are worthy of all my praise.

What one step could you take to make praising God an integral part of your prayer time? (A few suggestions include memorizing Psalm 100:4, listening to praise music, keeping a list of praises, or beginning your prayers with praise rather than petitions.)

When to Use Words

Why is it that when I want to write, I think long and hard and words barely trickle? But when I speak, words flow too freely, often when they shouldn't flow at all. At least that's the case most of the time.

This past week, the opposite occurred. I went to pay my respects to a family who had lost a loved one, and the words would not come. I didn't know how to sum up the impact of the loved one's life on my own in that short time at the visitation while the line of people behind me grew longer. As the small talk quickly dried up, because it is merely filler to begin with, and the line pressed in, I was thanked for coming. All I could think of to convey my huge heart thoughts was, "He was worth the trip."

In some ways, the tongue-tied-ness fits the situation perfectly. The loved one had made a big impact on my life through his presence, not his words which were mostly few and far between. And there I was trying to show by my presence that his life mattered much.

I think back to those friends of Job and the role that they played in those first seven days. They sat by Job's side without speaking. A ministry of presence. It was when they opened their mouths that things started going downhill.

I am not sure I learned from their example because my lack of words and mere presence didn't seem like enough. I wanted to put words to the feelings I had.

And so I wrote a letter.

I tried to convey that my life was better because I had the opportunity to know this caring man who took the time to acknowledge my presence every time he saw me, spent time patiently trying to correct my golf swing, and loved his family with all of his heart. I tried to pass along how very proud he was of his son as shown by his presence if not by his words. And, above all, I wanted it known I will not forget this loved one.

The words were well received, but I'm not sure they were necessary.

I recall a lawyer friend of mine making a three-hour trip to attend my dad's funeral. She was an assistant district attorney in Houston at the time. The fact that she got someone to cover her docket and that she drove six hours round-trip for a 30-45 minute funeral blew my mind. She hugged me through tears and said nothing, if I recall correctly. Yet, over seven years have passed, and I have never forgoten her act of kindness.

I think a ministry of presence is a powerful thing, sometimes more powerful than words. But I need the wisdom to know which is best in any given circumstance.

[This is my second attempt to participate in the Words Project with Holley & Ann over at A Holy Experience.]