Hosanna

So i went to Church Camp about a month ago.
If you are a teenager, and you have never been to
a summer or winter camp.

You need to go.

I cannot even begin to explain what an impact
camp had on me.

I went to my first winter camp two years ago.
Not knowing anyone.
Going for three days.
I was freaked out to say the least.

But i'm unbelievably glad that i went.
It made me figure out that i can have a personal
relationship with God.

I had been taught this all of my life of course.
But i had never really known it.

I have talked to many of the adults that went
to those camps with us to supervise.
And all of them were amazed to see all of us worship.

For some reason i feel most comfortable with God
when i'm singing.
I feel a certain closeness that i just don't feel when
the preacher is talking.
It makes me sad sometimes.
But i wouldn't change those times for anything.

I'm going to try and explain to you how worship is
at a camp filled with 380 high school students , most
of them only knowing a few people.

So everyone is standing up. Singing at the top of their
lungs, reaching up, or out, however they feel comfortable.
You can look around you and just see everyone sobbing,
but smiling and laughing, not caring what people think of them
at that moment in time. Not caring if people are looking at them.
Just focused on the music, and the lyrics, and that feeling
that God is with you.

Ahh. Its amazing.

There were so many songs that made people just let go.
I couldn't believe the unity of everyone.

The last night that we were there, we sang a few songs,
had a session that the guest speaker taught, and then we sang one
more song.

Hosannah.

Everyone got out of their seats and went to the front of the room.
We were all squished together, holding hands with the people next
to us. (on one side of me happened to be miley cyrus's brother... odd)
But anyway. We were all singing and comforting eachother, and just
holding everyone.

I think that proves that you do need other people in your relationship
with God.

You need people to help you get to the next level of faith. You need
bonds.

Such as the Chapman Family.

Steven Curtis Chapman is a Christian Singer, who has 3 adopted
girls from China, and two biological sons, and one biological daughter.

Their seventeen year old son ran over their 5 year old daughter Maria
in the driveway by accident.

It just makes me so mad. Horrible things happen to such wonderful
people. Its just....horrible.

But i watched a video of the Chapman family on Good Morning America.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wh2VFkF7NLo
and they were talking about their loss, and that what made it easier was
that they had people to share their grief with, people who could comfort
them, who could just love them.

So i've been thinking.
I just need to love people.
I need to realize how blessed i am that i have a whole family.
That we haven't suffered a blow that bad, like the Chapmans.
I need to learn from them, how to have faith.
So i'm challenging myself to just take in how much i have,
to always remember that God loves me, and to love
people to the full capacity of my heart.

Maria Sue Chapman, 2003-2008

I see the king of glory

Coming on the clouds with fire

The whole earth shakes

The whole earth shakes

I see his love and mercy Washing over all our sin

The people sing

The people sing

Hosanna Hosanna Hosanna in the highest

I see a generation Rising up to take their place

With selfless faith

With selfless faith

see a near revival Stirring as we pray and seek

We're on our knees

We're on our knees

Heal my heart and make it clean

Open up my eyes to the things unseen

Show me how to love like you have loved me

Break my heart from what breaks yours

Everything I am for your kingdoms cause

As I go from nothing to Eternity

Hosanna

Hosanna

Hosanna in the highest