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Saturday, February 10, 2007

Our Friends At Urban Peak

It's been quite a ride leaving the warm southwest/west coast and arriving in the FRIGID upper Midwest. Can you say a high of 9 degrees!! But, at least that's nine ABOVE... and we've had a blast in Milwaukee, Minneapolis and Chicago the last three nights. Thank you for such a warm reception, and for running with us after the heart of God.

Tonight we jet to LA for the Grammys...fitting, I think, that we are here with the people of God lifting up Jesus just hours away from music's biggest night. We're excited about tomorrow, but we had a pretty massive time right here!

Every night has been special... and one of the really cool moments so far was making new friends in Colorado, kids who are a part of a program for people transitioning through major life issues called Urban Peak. On the far left are two UP staff members, both friends of Passion who brought a few of the kids they work with to experience God with us in Colorado Springs.

We got to hang out after the night, hear a bit of their stories and put our arms around them and pray for continued rescue and recovery in their lives. I can’t share all the details here, but on the far right is J., just back from a 21–week wilderness program and walking in new found freedom. He is sensing the presence of God in his life like never before. On the other side of Chris is T., whose negative church past makes the whole Jesus thing a bit of a hurdle. But T. felt God’s in the midst of the night and even found herself entering into the worship. And in the center is S., highly artistic and a lover of science (so we had a great connection around the talk). What was really cool was that as we were leaving she took out a piece of paper from her sketchpad and wrote all the names of their friends at UP and asked us to pray for them.

These guys are who this tour is for as the hinge point of each night is the song Everlasting God, of which one of the lines says, “You’re the defender of the weak, You comfort those in need.” That’s what we are praying for these guys and especially for the two girls on the left who work in this challenging secular environment everyday.

Please pray for J., T., and S., and for favor on the worker’s lives (C. and J.) as they seek to SHINE the bright light of rescue and grace to those at the greatest point of need. It would mean the world to us if you would pray for them.

LA bound. LG

30 Comments:

  • praying for all of those involved with Urban Peak. God heal the lives of those involved, and encourage C and J as they work in that environment, help them carry the light in a dark place!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 2/10/2007 11:07 PM  

  • will do... :)
    God is awesome...!
    now go on and be a light at the grammies..louie, just go up on that stage and start smacking these people with God's truth...
    love you all!!!

    By Blogger Kristellys, at 2/10/2007 11:13 PM  

  • praying,what a great outreach. God will move mountains.

    also praying for the Grammys. What a privalege to really shine in a dark place!! you will have to let us know when it will air on tv, would not want to miss it.

    You guys are the best and thanks for a mighty time in Minnesota!

    Love ya more then ever.

    Elizabeth

    By Blogger Liz, at 2/10/2007 11:52 PM  

  • Louie Louie! THANKS for giving us Urban Peakers the richest gift ever--the prayers of the 268 global generation! We are STOKED here at UP. "S" is totall encouraged to know you're a man of your word for praying over that list of names!!!! We feel your love and support so strongly, and we praise God for the good work He's doing all over the world. Take care and know we love you guys! Joan and co...

    By Blogger Joan, at 2/11/2007 12:14 AM  

  • thanks for sharing about Urban Peak; it sounds like a great work they are involved in. praying for all those who work with and are ministered to by UP, for every name on that piece of paper to be drawn closer to Jesus; for wisdom to the workers and for everyone to grow deep in their walk... and to be encouragers to other people.

    also, congrats on the nominations &
    best wishes in LA tomorrow night
    shine
    blessings all~

    By Blogger Kimmer, at 2/11/2007 12:39 AM  

  • Father God, Thank You that these are not just names on a piece of paper but that they are Your beloved children. I ask that the Holy Spirit ministers to the deepest area of wounding in each one at Urban Peak bringing healing, restoration and comfort. Please give wisdom, insight and strength to those who support and encourage them.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 2/11/2007 2:03 AM  

  • Louie, Louie,

    we prayed alright! Y'all are probably still in the air (may glory be in all of you -- in the highest)! We spend the last 2 1/2 hours driving home, praying and singing and worshipping just about all the way. (It's sort of cool to worship at 1am, when people in Eastern Europe and Eastern Africa rise and go to Sunday morning church; and people from the little warm continent on earth there just got done worshipping; and there you are, singing along with many, many of them... ALL THE EARTH WILL SING YOUR PRAISE, THE MOON AND STARS, SUN AND RAIN, EVERY NATION WILL PROCLAIM, YOU ARE GOD, AND YOU WILL REIGN!!!)

    God, our God, is just so.... hmmm... God.

    I have to encourage you a little, though, and maybe it's a miracle, but there are LOUD!!! screaming, jumping around, having-no-voice-left-after-tonight kinds of scientists that rarely nod their heads. So the shouts weren't fake, but real! Praise God for all my science-working, God-loving and worshipping colleagues!

    PS. 9 above is a heat wave these days... good thing it warmed up a little lately:-)

    By Blogger Silke, at 2/11/2007 2:24 AM  

  • It's so cool to me that God is always working in ministries that I've never even heard of, and may never hear of in this life.

    Thank you, our God who reigns and who saves!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 2/11/2007 3:30 AM  

  • TO EVERYONE AT PASSION AND INVOLVED WITH P07:

    What can I say? Words is not enough to express my thankfulness towards you guys...
    But you can surely believe that every word comes from deep within a heart that is so grateful towards you...
    Thank you so much for reaching out to me and making my dream come true! Passion 07 is the highlight of my life so far, you will never understand what it meant to me. (You are welcome to check out my blog www.karidutoit.blogspot.com to get the bigger picture)
    When I think back about it all I get so overwhelmed that I can’t help to fight back the tears of thankfulness.

    I thank God for an organisation like Passion. Passion reflects to me the love of God to the world. It gives me hope for the future knowing that there are such wonderful people who is willing to give their time, truth, love, and kindness to the youth of this world.
    Thank you so much for your great hospitality towards me, you guys are some of the most kindest people I have ever met. It was an honor for me to meet of each of you which I have met.

    Mr. Giglio I am also so grateful for the chance to have met you. I’ve listened to a few of your talks last year which had a big influence on the way I approach my life. I believe you are man close to God’s heart and you HUMBLE ME by the way you humble yourself.

    I like to write poems to God and during P07 God told me to write a poem about P07 when I get back home. He shared with me the thoughts that Yes, we are having a great time, but what happens when it’s all over and we get back to our everyday life? So He then gave met the first line to start with, which I carried for the whole week in my head. During my flight back home He just started to pour the words into my heart and so I had to ask a flight attendant for a pen to write everything down. He told me to share it with everyone on this blog:

    “When all is said and done,
    The bright lights have come and gone...
    May we turn our face to You and
    Allow Your light to shine through...

    Let us now carry Your name into the world,
    For Your name and Your renown are the desire of our souls...
    Make us faceless before You,
    In everything that we do...

    Teach us when to lead and when to follow;
    Grant us mercy in the deepest sorrow...

    Thank you Lord for Your faithfulness,
    Your love which is endless...
    You know each of us by name,
    Although none of us are the same...

    May we reach out to one another and
    Not harm our fellow brother...
    For this world is in need and
    We are the saving seed...

    Discipline us to be faithful in the small things;
    Let us hear Your voice while the noise of the world in our ear rings...

    Lord teach our hearts to be humble,
    Please lift us up when we stumble...
    Show us the way,
    You are the Potter we are the clay...

    Sweet Holy Spirit we welcome You in this place,
    We want to touch Your amazing grace...
    In Your presence we want to drown,
    As we fall face down...

    Lord we proclaim You as our King,
    It’s to You that our lifesong sing...
    Now send us out...
    To make Your name loud!!!”


    May God bless everyone around the world. I can’t wait for the day in heaven when I see you all!

    BAIE DANKIE!

    Lots of South African love
    Karin du Toit

    By Blogger kari, at 2/11/2007 4:51 AM  

  • the midwest loves you guys!! it was about 12 degrees yesterday! you missed the warmspell!

    my photos from milwaukee-

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/traykap/
    sets/72157594527039809/

    By Blogger TRACE.FACE PHOTOS, at 2/11/2007 9:30 AM  

  • Last night in Chicago was simply amazing for me and my fiance. God was there with us, when we needed Him. We continue to be amazed at what God is doing through Louie, Chris, and all the rest in your ministries. Sometimes we need a tangible experience of God, and it was received when Louie spoke of Isaiah 40. Matt had just written that in a card to his brother that morning, as he was leaving for Australia to go to school. God is ever present!

    By Blogger Helen, at 2/11/2007 10:05 AM  

  • I loved the concert in Chicago. God used you to really encourage me. I've tried to research more on human cells and the cell that holds us together. I'm not able to find as I believe I must be misspelling. Something like... laminun?

    Thanks

    Lana

    By Blogger Lana, at 2/11/2007 10:13 AM  

  • amazing to see all that God is doing on the tour... definitely praying for the Urban Peak guys, as well as, lifting up you guys while you're on tour and heading towards the Grammys tonight... can't wait for Atlanta...

    By Blogger The BOB-O, at 2/11/2007 2:25 PM  

  • I'm so glad to hear all these amazing stories coming out of this tour. It really is evidence of what an incredible, indescribible God we serve.

    I'd really appreciate your prayers right now. I was planning on going up to St. Louis to take a friend to the 'concert' in March. She's been up there getting help for an eating disorder. She'll be almost finished with her treatment, and I wanted to be able celebrate with her on that night, and finish her healing with an incredible night. Unfortunately, after taxes, we're not going to be able to afford to come. I'm really disappointed, and she's been really excited about getting to go with me. I haven't told her yet, mostly because it breaks my heart to have to let her down. I know God can do amazing things, and so my prayer would be that somehow, I have no idea how, but that somehow, we'd be able to find the money we need to drive up there and take her to this concert.

    You're prayers are so appreciated. Thanks.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 2/11/2007 3:17 PM  

  • Lana,

    it's "laminin" ... all i found on google images are cartoons; i've got a picture of the electron micrograph from this science book called "The Cell" -- if you like, e-mail me, and i can send you a copy in ppt.

    Kari,

    That is a really nice summary of P07... better than i could have done! It's got to be impossible to capture 100% of it in words, though, b/c God is so BIG!

    Anonymous,

    I pray that your friend will find courage in the LORD; and that God would do a wondrous work in her life; wherever she is and goes!

    And if i have time, i'll try to put a little update on God's work on my blog later as well; it's about time i catch up with it...

    Silke

    By Blogger Silke, at 2/11/2007 3:27 PM  

  • My twin sister was at the Chicago show, and said how amazing it was--I'm looking forward to the show in Mobile!

    This morning at Mass I offered up as my intention both all of you guys on the tour and whatever your intentions were, and it's awesome to see that your intention is for these people struggling for freedom through UP. I will keep them in my prayers as well.

    In solidarity with y'all, I will be watching the Grammys for perhaps the first time ever (actually, I think I remember watching No Doubt perform walking on a spider web, but that was obviously a while back) and praying that God will use you there, and the message of his renown through Chris (and the other nominees!) music.

    -Morgan

    By Blogger Morgan, at 2/11/2007 4:23 PM  

  • my heart goes out to J.

    i have friends who have gone through wilderness programs. and sometimes they work, sometimes they dont.

    but its a bit shock when theyre world comes crashing down.

    definitely thinking J and praying for U.P.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 2/11/2007 6:57 PM  

  • Hi Louie,
    I just wanted to send you a note to say thank you so much for your talk last night in Chicago. I am the person who raised my hand when you asked if anyone likes science, and you "talked" to me a few times during the talk, and I just wanted to tell you how much your talk and your witness means to me.

    I graduated from college in 2000, and about five years later began to feel called to the field of medicine. So much in this world can break people down, and I wanted so much to be an instrument of God's healing. I went back to school and delved into the sciences to get the pre-reqs in for applying to med school. And the more I learned the more I encountered the awesome power of God.

    Your talk last night was incredible. As you said so well last night, God doesn't promise to make everyhing "okay" in this lifetime, but He does promise a hope, a peace and a life eternal that surpasses all of our human understanding. This is ultimately the truth I hope to be at the very center of my life.

    One last quick story-- your talk about the creation of life was beautiful. It reminded me of something I heard recently tha the creation of new life is "God's math" that 1+1 = 3. It reminds me that as much as I will study the next few years, I will do so in all humilty knowing that I am studying the ways of our Creator. I pray to always stand in awe of the One who gives the heart its beat and the eyes its sight.

    It was an honor to be in God's presence with all of you last night. I loved the whole expereince so much that I'm planning to come to Michigan this week and bring a few friends who weren't able to come to Chicago. I can't wait for them to hear your message and to share in the worship.

    God bless you always Louie. It is a pure honor to witness your passion, vision and love for God and all of His people. Thank you so much, and know that you and the whole group are in my prayers each day. I hope to get to thank you in person in Lansing!!

    your friend,
    nicole

    By Blogger nicole, at 2/11/2007 7:05 PM  

  • DUUDE that's my youth pastor on the picture!!! The pretty one two people from the left! Our church is so blessed to have such a kind and caring person that tries to share the gospel of Jesus Christ to everyone she meets, including the UP kids! It's ok to be jealous!

    By Blogger Jack, at 2/11/2007 7:05 PM  

  • I am praying for you all at Urban Peak and at the Grammys. I pray that you will have safe travel for more of the tour! I will see you-Matt. Louie. Chris. on Wednesday in Lansing, Michigan! I cannot wait- counting down days and hours! WOW, God is sooo awesome!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 2/11/2007 10:37 PM  

  • Louie, I know one scientist who was at both the Houston and Chicago HGIOG worship nights. I can attest to the fact, from seeing her in action at Passion,that not all scientist are reserved and that some scientists who are madly in love with Jesus can dance, sing and jubilantly shout in His presence.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 2/12/2007 12:34 AM  

  • Louie-
    Thanks so much for allowing God to speak through you the way He did in Chicago Saturday night. I am one of those people you were talking about who were there with everything falling apart. I've been a complete mess for the last couple weeks and was really looking forward to some great worship and encouraging words from Chris and you but I was totally unprepared for what God was going to do in my heart.

    You mentioned in your talk the time when all you were praying but all you could do was stand there cause you didn't know what to say to such a big God. Now I love to sing and I love the song "Everlasting God" but during that song all I could do was raise my hands and let the tears run down my face.

    Thank you.

    Laminin is where it's at!!

    inHISgrip,
    Jason Trost

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 2/12/2007 2:34 PM  

  • Louie you are great!! how was the grammy experience for you?? I bet overwhelming. in prayer as you continue the tour sharing the greatness of our King!!


    by the way does any one know how to email Louie directly?? please share..
    thanks.

    Elizabeth

    By Blogger Liz, at 2/12/2007 9:59 PM  

  • Definitely praying for them! Can't wait to see you guys this week on the tour.

    It's about 12:20 on the East Coast right now and I'm listening to the Passion 07 Bundle number 2! It's amazing everyone!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 2/13/2007 12:20 AM  

  • Elizabeth,

    There's always info@268generation.com, but I don't think that gets to him directly. This probably doesn't help much, but it will get an email started in the right direction anyway. :)

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 2/13/2007 12:31 AM  

  • Thank you for making me feel small! sorry about the cold weather btw

    By Blogger philahne, at 2/13/2007 12:45 AM  

  • just got bundle #2. awesome.
    thanks so much!!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 2/13/2007 12:50 AM  

  • the new bundle (#2) rocks! check it out y'all! :)

    http://ax.phobos.apple.com.edgesuite.net/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/browserRedirect?url=itms%253A%252F%252Fax.phobos.apple.com.edgesuite.net%252FWebObjects%252FMZStore.woa%252Fwa%252FviewAlbum%253Fid%253D213344740%2526s%253D143441

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 2/13/2007 2:25 AM  

  • Louie just a heads up on the weather for Ohio.. http://www.nbc4i.com/midwest/cmh/home.html
    the expect 6/12 inches and ice also. am praying it would be a shame if that time needs to be canceled but, and of course I am sure in trusting in God but it is better to be safe, then sorry, From an old snow/ice driving in it pro.

    so please, please be wise and do not try to push it. I pray your drivers of the bus will use their heads and do what is best for everyone, you can always come back to that state..

    thanks we love you guys,

    Elizabeth

    By Blogger Liz, at 2/13/2007 10:05 AM  

  • hey. btw. did chris get any grammys???

    By Blogger Kristellys, at 2/13/2007 10:27 AM  

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