One-Upping Chris Tomlin

Our family has had an incredible week so far. We are in Sandestin, Florida enjoying each other’s company, some unbelievably beautiful scenery and some great weather.

The week started out when we heard on the radio about a couple of free concerts on the beach in nearby Panama City Beach. So, on Saturday night we found ourselves on the beach listening to Chris Tomlin, one of our favorite artists. Sunday night was Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith.

The incredible thing about this is that both nights we drove the 40 minutes to Panama City Beach in the rain and the forecast was not looking promising. Also, each day was incredibly hot (I know...Florida in August, go figure!). Right before each concert was to begin, the rain stopped and we enjoyed perfect evenings. Not only was there no rain, but it remained cloudy which lowered the temperature to a very comfortable level--it was absolutely perfect!

On Saturday, right as the Chris Tomlin concert was ending (which was amazing by the way!), the clouds parted and we witnessed perhaps the most beautiful sunset I have ever seen (see above picture of my kids). My daughter Molly summed it up perfectly when she said, “I think God just one-upped Chris Tomlin!"

“Who has told every lightning bolt where it should go

Or seen heavenly storehouses laden with snow

Who imagined the sun and gives source to its light

Yet conceals it to bring us the coolness of night

None can fathom”
Chris Tomlin from his song Indescribable

GTG

A friend of mine named Stu uses a phrase with me and others regularly, "Glory to God!" He even signs his emails and notes with "GTG" at the bottom.

Some may find this strange, but if you know Stu, he means it. He is a great example.

I witnessed some other great of examples of this over the weekend at the Passion Conference Molly and I attended in Atlanta.

It seemed that every time after Louie Giglio or Francis Chan spoke, they would get off the stage somehow before the crowd could applaud for them. They did not want the adoration and the applause because they wanted it to go to God.

The Chris Tomlin Band, David Crowder Band and Charlie Hall's band were the same way. The spotlights would go off of them at the end of their songs so that the focus and applause was not on them. Very cool.

I have to admit I am one who likes applause. When I was growing up, I liked being praised more by my parents than corrected. When I played basketball, I certainly liked hearing claps rather than boos. When I write or speak, I like to hear that people liked what I had to say. This saddens me but it is true. That is why Stu's example and the things I witnessed this weekend were so powerful to me.

Father Daughter Trip

Today, my 17 year-old daughter Molly and I, along with friends Bruce and Alana are heading for Atlanta for the Passion Conference.

Passion is a college student ministry started by Louie Giglio. He and Francis Chan are scheduled to speak and Chris Tomlin and the David Crowder Band are the musicians.

I am very excited. I’m not sure Molly feels exactly the same way. However, I am praying and believing for God to “rattle our cages” and to draw us near to Him and to each other!