New Year
Though a little late, Happy 2009 to everyone! I couldn’t think of a better way to start our first post of the year than with these beautiful words from our friend Charlie Hall.
New Year
My heart beats like a drum, flying up with the sun,
I grab Your hand again
Renovated with life, my eyes again bright,
And You are radiant
Where hope can hold the hand of sorrow
And we can walk into tomorrow
Where peace is found in troubled days
And the joy of Jesus carries pain
This is a new year,
This is new day,
To rise shine,
Lift up your eyes
This is a new year,
This is a new day
To rise shine,
And point the way
To God’s great life
I’m held in a place, a beautiful space
Where heaven meets the earth
My heart opens wide, and the Father pours life
Deep inside my soul
Charlie Hall and Kendall Combes, SIXSTEPS MUSIC/WorshipTogether.com songs
It’s going to be a big year, and with God’s life within through the indwelling light of Christ, we all should be expectant…believing God for a supernatural collision where His ability merges with our faith and obedience.
For us at Passion the days ahead are both challenging and hopeful, and we have a sense that the best is yet to come. Just a quick glance at a few of the things coming soon:
Next week we will reveal the cover of Awakening at awakeningthebook.com, a beautiful collection capturing the World Tour with words and images coming later in the spring.
On Thursday, January 22, the Hello Love Tour, with Chris Tomlin and Israel Houghton, launches in Hershey, PA.
On January 27, Attention will make its way to iTunes, a new EP from Kristian Stanfill and the latest sixstepsrecords release. (The full album is sounding great and coming 4.21.09).
February 1 we will release the locations of the four Passion World Tour cities coming in May/June.
Coming Sunday night, February 15, Passion City Church will open its doors for the first of several monthly gatherings through the spring. Our first stop as we move throughout the city–The Tabernacle in downtown Atlanta. passioncitychurch.com.
And, Monday night February 16, live from the Passion House, a live webcast will bring with it the opening of registration for Passion Twenty Ten, January 2-5, 2010.
More info on all the above is coming soon, but we want you to pray with us for all that is ahead. We are so grateful for all God has done, and on our knees with open hands and eager hearts for all that is to come.
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:18/19
Everything is possible with God,
Louie
January 16th, 2009 at 11:48 PM
happy new year Mr. Giglio and everyone at the Passion house!
plenty has happened in 2008 and there is more to come in 2009. greater things are to come indeed!
January 17th, 2009 at 1:48 AM
Happy New Year to you and your team as well.
I’m very excited about the beginning of Passion City Church and all that God will accomplish through it. Thanks for all that you do!
January 17th, 2009 at 7:20 AM
WOW!!!…blessed new year to all at the passion house…so glad to read an update…glad to hear of all the wonderful things that God has in store for all of you…looking forward to the Awakening book & congrats on the new church…may God continue to lead & guide you in all that you do for His name.
Lots of prayers & love :
Melissa francis ( Malaysia )
January 17th, 2009 at 11:01 AM
So glad to get an update! I’ll continue to pray for you and all at Passion House as you follow God’s lead in 2009! I’m so excited to see all that is in store. Your spiritual leadership and faithfulness encourages and strengthens me more than words could ever say. Thank you and God bless!
January 17th, 2009 at 12:47 PM
Hello blessed people!
I’ve asked God for a few things to encourage you and here are some of the impressions I’ve received:
Passion church = a planting of the Lord and will be a place where the lost will enter in.
because of the unity and love> its a place where the oil of God can flow; psalm 133= a victorious church
isaiah 35: Joy of the redeemed: God will do great things as written in this passage: the eyes of the blind will be opened, the ears of the deaf unstopped, the lame will leap like a deer, the mute tongue will shout for joy.
God is pleased with your lives of devotion and steps of faith: and your willingness to wait on Him.
In the book of Nehemia there is a lot of resistance, but keep pressing in and interceding and hopefully you don’t wait for the perfect amount of people or the right building: but are coming together as a family already.
I’ll close of with psalm 62 (the message)
God, the one and only
I’ll wait as long as He says
Everything i need comes from Him,
so why not?
He is solid rock under my feet,
breathing room for my soul
An impregnable castle:
I’m set for life
My help and glory are in God
-granite strength and safe harbor God
So trust in Him absolutely people;
Lay your lives on the line for Him,
God is a safe place to be
January 17th, 2009 at 8:21 PM
WOW – WOW – WOW !!!
Louie,
Thanks for sharing with the larger Passion family (alot of info to digest!) I’m glad things are moving along in Atlanta toward the ultimate goal loving JESUS AND OTHERS !!
I’m so excited for you all as you begin new adventures this year!! I wish I was there but God has me here (South Korea) until Feb. 2010. ALthough I CAN”T WAIT FOR THE UNVAILING OF YOUR WORLD TOUR SITES (Eagerly waiting) Thus, I will miss volunteering for PAssion 2010 in the States BUT I WILL BE PRAYING NOW AND ALWAYS for the PAssion team!! YOu are such an encouragement to me and others in the US and around the world as we serve God and His purpose!!
God BLess,
January 18th, 2009 at 2:45 AM
Hey, I’m not sure if Louie will read this but I wanted to write (all the way from Scotland!). Last night I watched your DVD on HOPE. I was so upset when listening to the story about Ashley and her family. Trouble does come and it’s been with me for nearly 4 years. I’m at a complete loss now and I can’t tell anyone how I feel. I married 4 years ago and 3 and a 1/2 years later I had my first child. Poppy was born prematurely at 26 weeks. She spent an initial 4 months in hospital and has lifelong problems with her bowel. I spend every day being reminded of how I failed my daughter. I know God helped us through that time but it was so surreal. I am grieving so much for what happened. I can’t talk to God, can’t forgive God, can’t move anywhere with Him. Deep down I love Him but there is so much blocked in communication I don’t know how to get to Him. Now, my husband has been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. I don’t blame God and I always say He never gives you more than you can handle….but He has much more faith in me than I in Him. I can’t do this anymore. I can’t cry because there would be a flood and as you explained in Hope, I am of the mind that what will be will be. I am so sad. I went on to have another baby last year and that was all good but has been overshadowed with all that goes on with Poppy, my estranged father dying a couple of years ago, now my husband having cancer. I have been a christian since I was 8 years old and I am now 34 and feel I have so badly let my Heavenly Father down throughout my life. Where do I go and what do I do to be with Him. I can’t find the cross because the road to it is so blocked by all this hurt.
Sarah.
January 18th, 2009 at 3:11 AM
Amen! Amen! Amen!
God has great things ahead in 2009 for all who trust in Him!!!
Hope all of you at Passion/sixsteps had a great New Years!
Greater Things…..
Karahly
January 18th, 2009 at 3:16 AM
This post is for “Sarah in Scotland”…
Just want you to know I’ll be praying for you and your family…
January 18th, 2009 at 3:27 AM
I have listened to that song recently… it’s really powerful.
SO excited for the Passion Church here in ATL. I just knew God was calling me to be in part with something bigger then just going to college here.
Always a pleasure to see Jeremy’s photography, especially being a photo major- pretty excited for the book!
As with Passion 2010, would not miss it! (although, I think classes do start that week, but we’ll work that out come time.)
Great things; FOR HIS RENOWN
Sean
January 18th, 2009 at 9:23 AM
Sarah,
I am so sorry.
Sometimes He lifts us out of the pit (Ps 40).
Other times He leaves us in there – but pours more grace in. And that grace is enough. Sometimes it feels like only just. But it is. It really is. (2 Cor 12.9)
Words fail.
Jesus understands.
Love you so dearly, sister.
Steph
January 18th, 2009 at 5:14 PM
Sarah,
May God be with you and your family throughout this difficult time. I pray He would reach down and fill you again with His love and presence.
Praying for you,
Marissa
January 18th, 2009 at 9:45 PM
[...] much speculation, Louie recently posted this to the Passion [...]
January 19th, 2009 at 1:33 AM
FINALLY! Miss the blog so much………..
Gosh am so excited to read what’s happening at Passion end. Truly God has yet to unfold all His surprises for the team. Though staying far away, I’m eager and anxious to see what’s happening in y09 for Passion Team. HEHE
Yeap, the old is gone and new year has come.. definitely await for more testimonies from all over the world thru the work of your team… Will be keeping this beautiful team of awesome ppl in prayers all the time.
In this start of the new year, Psalm 20 keeps ringing in my mind. I do pray this over many dear ppl in my life..which includes Passion team.
1 May the LORD answer you when you are in distress;
may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.
2 May he send you help from the sanctuary
and grant you support from Zion.
3 May he remember all your sacrifices
and accept your burnt offerings.
Selah
4 May he give you the desire of your heart
and make all your plans succeed.
5 We will shout for joy when you are victorious
and will lift up our banners in the name of our God.
May the LORD grant all your requests.
6 Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed;
he answers him from his holy heaven
with the saving power of his right hand.
7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.
8 They are brought to their knees and fall,
but we rise up and stand firm.
9 O LORD, save the king!
Answer [a] us when we call!
Take care Passion Team, rest well and move healthily with God
Love you guys, AMEN! AMEN!
January 19th, 2009 at 1:37 AM
oops, clicked the submit button too soon…
also want to wish Charlie, Chris & Kristian all the best in everything that they are launching/going to launch.. May God’s favour be with you guys. AMEN.
Yeah, and the AWAKENING book..WOW! Louie..this is so exciting!! can’t wait!! It’s gonna be good…
God is good,
Celine – KL – Malaysia
January 19th, 2009 at 1:51 AM
dear sister, Sarah Lawson
Please be strong. I know the journey is difficult and dark at this moment. I too have a wonderful friend who went through something similar. She was the one who inspired me so much throughout my early journey with God. after what has happened, she shut away from God. It has been more than a year now and all of us continue to pray for her. I don’t know how to use God’s Word to speak/console her coz she knows better than I do. I talk to her occassionaly and through her updates, I saw how God work strongly in everyway of her life all the time. she saw it too … Time is slowly healing her…I trust that God will work in His mysterious ways to show you His love, mercy and grace.
dear sister, i’m sorry to hear..and I’ll continue to pray for your spiritual strength.
Love u,
Celine
January 19th, 2009 at 4:32 AM
YAY!
Go is using y’all in SO many ways, and I’m excited that I actually get to be a part of some of it!!
God bless you all, keep you healthy, keep you strong, and keep you going. Much love from the southside of the city
Kate
January 19th, 2009 at 10:29 AM
Happy new yaer to you too Mr Giglio. We will continue to pray for you and the passion family as you continue on this journey of making HIS name famous.
And to Sarah from Scotland, I pray that GOD will give you strenght to continue and that HIS will shall be established in your family, and that you may experience again HIS love and compassion.
LOVE YOU LOTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
January 20th, 2009 at 1:16 PM
Happy New Year!
I pray that God would continue using Passion to reach so many people…You’re all so open to Him-Thank you! The year ahead is going to be AWESOME!
Dear Sarah Lawson,
I know that you’re really going through a terribly tough time, but can you see that we all care so much for you because we know that God does too? We don’t personally know you but people from around the world are joining in prayer for you and your family. Know that God’s Arms are always open, even when you can’t see them…keep pushing towards Him even when you feel like it’s doing nothing.
We’re all praying and thinking about you lots!
Love you all!
January 20th, 2009 at 8:21 PM
i like the titles of all these projects; hello love, attention, awakening…do you think the Lord is trying to maybe wake up those that slumber? praising Him that it’s happening all over the world!!! our prayers go with you…
January 21st, 2009 at 3:19 PM
Thanks so much for all your kind words and prayers. Sarah x
January 23rd, 2009 at 2:03 PM
Dear Sarah
I, too, read your blog entry…I am also praying for you all the way from Cape Town, South Africa. God knows your longing. sometimes things suck royally, but God is greater than any of our troubles. He will use your situation to bring Himself more glory. Let your daughter’s (Poppy) survival and life thus far be a testimony to the Greatness of our God…being a prem baby she could easily have not made it, but for God’s own reason, He let her live. He has awesome plans for her – and you (Jeremiah 29v11). My brother is mentally handicapped and will never be able to look after himself, but that has never left me in any doubt about how great God is. Jesus is there with you always. Do you know that when you stretch out your arms to hug your children, your body forms a big cross?? the same way, Jesus stretches out His loving arms to hold you and give the comfort you so terribly need! there is nothing in all creation that can seperate you from the love of God (Romans 8v39). even when you let go of God, He NEVER lets go of you…
praying for you! look forward to hearing how you are doing. keep the updates coming. sarah, you’re in my prayers.
love and Godbless,
Lisa
Cape Town, South Africa
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:18 PM
hey Louie..this has nothing to do with what is here it’s just that i don’t know where to write you an email and to tell you that I can’t wait to see the dates,are you coming to Chicago until may?
I’m from Romania ,visiting Chicago..for a few month,but if not you are very welcomed in Romania:)
January 30th, 2009 at 11:11 AM
Hey Louie this is for Sarah from Scotland
Hi my sister, I also live in Scotland and don’t see many messages on Passion Blog from others in Scot. What can I say Sarah that can help help, very little I think but you know if you want to talk, I’m good at listening, sometimes you just need someone to help you see God more clearly in the midst of all the chaos of life.
I could tell you lots of things I’ve learned over the last year but a hug and knowing you are loved is where God wants to start. Not sure how we would contact each other if you wanted to but I’m happy for Louie to pass my e mail on.
I will pray that each day you will see more of God and His amazing love xox