Thursday Evening

New Orleans Witness
A few from out group decided to take the elevator at the "Texas needle," a 750-foot observation tower, and see the city from there. The view was breathtaking. On the way down the elevator we met a couple, and the guy was from New Orleans. After asking why we were here, they commented on how many Christians have been rebuilding New Orleans while sleeping in tents... all volunteers. Thanks be to God for the hands and feet swift to serve in the name of Jesus Christ, my Brothers and Sisters in Christ!

Donald Miller
It was refreshing to hear from Donald Miller last evening. He challenged all of us to drop notions of "3- (or 5-) step faith," faith that can be boiled down to "if you do these easy things, then God will..." He instead talked of God "fathering" us and caring for us a loving parent. I was thankful that he took the youth (and adults!) a step deeper with their faith.

Krystal Meyers
Krystal Meyers performed yesterday evening as well. I would describe her as Avril Levigne meets the Christian contemporary scene. I was a bit disappointed with her, however. She spent a bit too much time shamelessly promoting her new album. I was however amused by the situational irony of her invitation to the Gathering, "OK, everyone together shout, 'Anti-conformity'." :)

Inspired by Youth
The youth gathered here do inspire me, however. Some have no need of cell phones and iPods and are perfectly fine without them, thank you very much. Some put a very critical eye and ear to what they are hearing and seeing. I think youth can spot inauthenticity a mile a way... and that is refreshing. But I think perhaps the thing that inspires me the most are how they behave as Brothers and Sisters in Christ. For me this was captured in the words of a teenager I overheard after the dance at a nearby hotel yesterday evening. He said, "This is the most fun I have had in my 18 years of existence!" And I knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that this due largely to the fact that many here have created a community in which those normally shoved to the side are able to dance (literally and figuratively) along with the rest.

Fun with Tonto
So the latest craze [and I must admit it is a catchy song] at the dance scene is a song called, "Tonto, Jump On It." I think it is by Gang Sugarhill. Hilarious.