Blogs

 Hey Errbody,

     I am never tired of what we get to do for God, how important it is and how fun it usually ends up being.  When I heard we were going to play for the President and numerous dignitaries, I couldn't believe it.  I am so honored that whoever it was talked to whoever it might have been and told them whatever they told them to make it okay to be within feet of the President.  Say what you like about Obama, but one of the highlights of my day was the moment right before he walked in the room.  The murmuring, the clanking of dishes, the sound of footsteps, all stopped.  The silence was like a vacuum, and then the band music started, and then walked in the man who is arguably the most powerful man in the world, and God put him there.  On top of all that, he got to sit there and listen to Casting Crowns tunes.  Albeit they were acoustic versions, and albeit we were stinking nervous, but he couldn't just get up and leave, he had to listen (by the way, I hope he's a fan, now).  The speeches given by Tony Blair and President Obama were great to hear.  Highlights from those speeches were when Mr. Blair gave his personal testimony how his teacher prayed with him while his father was in the hospital, and his mother was dealing with it.  Here's a quote from that:

"That is what inspires: the unconditional nature of God’s love. A promise perpetually kept. A covenant never broken.

And in surrendering to God, we become instruments of that love."

The President quoted St. Augusitne when he said "Pray as though everything depended on God.  Work as though everything depended on you."

   We finished the breakfast and although I didn't get to meet the President, there were some surprise guests there that came over to say hello.  Alex Kendrick (wrote and directed Facing the Giants and Fireproof) came over as well as Shawn Alexander (Washington Redskins).  Both those guys are in love with Jesus and are fully pursuing what God has for them.  We got to catch up with Alex's Brother Stephen on a tour of the Capital Building, which, by the way, is beyond explanation.  If you walk into that building not liking America very much, you will be an ardent patriot when you leave...so much history.  Also they've recently built a new section that traces the history of the Capital as well as honoring the slaves who built it.  Rep. Zach Wamp of Tennessee, was kind enough to give us a personal tour, and show us the room where he makes laws.  

    The last thing we did was the Closing dinner for the National Day of Prayer.  Rep. Wamp was our host for that, and we got to play a few more songs for people from around the world.  We were blessed with the testimonies of three gentlemen from different parts of the globe.  One was a General from Fiji that was involved in 2 military coups and responsible for establishing democracy there, and basically said beyond anything else (soldier, politician, revolutionary) he considers himself a child of Christ. 

    Some sights you migh want to check out:

C-Span Coverage (It doesn't show us playing, but the speeches are there)

Rep. Zach Wamp (Rep. Zach Wamp's Homepage - He's running for Gov of Tenn, vote for him, or decide for yourself...whatever)

Max Lucado's Presidential Prayer (This is a page Max Lucado put up for people to pledge to pray for President Obama, by the way you should know all your representatives and pray for them every week)

Peace

Juan