Today it is National Day of Prayer, the first Thursday in May designated during Ronald Regan’s term, and I must admit we were drawn to our local prayer gathering by a big name speaker Louie Giglio. If you are not familiar with Louie he is a pastor in Georga and has helped begin and shape the Passion worship “movement”. (that would be a pretty lame description so check it out on your own http://www.christnotes.org/_louie-giglio.asp ) So we found ourselves at Long’s Park enjoying the spring time sunshine in our faces, the crisp grass beneath our feet, sitting in those colapsable chairs, eating sandwiches and drinking root beer. All the while our girls are running around talking with friends and checking out what others are getting to eat. Soon the evening’s activities begin on the stage of this outdoor ampatheater. There is a choir and several government officials doing official things (“so in so can’t be here tonight but he sent me and I am so priveledge to be here” yada yada yada…) We have a good prayer time with small groups and then return to the choir. Still being true to my divided heart I am thinking “when does Louie come on”. My girls on the other hand have found great interest in watching a group of flag dancers who have come to worship along with the music. As the night progresses the girls pick up their own blanket (since we don’t have flags) and begin mimicing the flag dances. One friend noted “you have some very charasmatic girls” And finally Louie takes the stage. He challenged us this evening with his well known heart cry “Life is not about us, it is all about God! Live for God’s glory not for our own”. When all is done and most people are headed home Brian heads down to try to talk with Louie and invite him to speak at our Vision Conference. We actually have the opportunity to speak with him for a little bit and the conversation does not go as I would have assumed, before we can even get to the confernce info Louie notices my Texas Ranger Tshirt and hat and makes note of it asking if I am a fan all the way up here in PA. Well yes I am Louie, in fact maybe a little obssesed (we have not had our TV on in weeks but I have only missed listening to a few of the Ranger games this sesson.) Louie tells me that when I see Kevin Mench (Rangers outfielder who had a string of games with homeruns in it recently and gave the credit to finally getting the right size shoe) that I should think of Louie because Kevin is on Louie’s fantasy baseball team. We then sit and talk fantasy baseball for awhile – now that is just amazing I was struck by Louie’s incredible ability to conect with people in a short amount of time. My friend Beau asked Louie “so how do you play fantasy baseball to the gloryof God?” and Louie said “well I am not sure and don’t ask my wife that one” We did get to talk to him about Vision so maybe he will be coming our way again and we can sit and talk deep theology and baseball, what better things to talk about on a cool spring night in May.
-Mandy