Awakening

For most of you all that know me very well, I have a huge heart and affection for the Passion folks. ?When I was a student pastor, I would follow Louie and Tomlin around the country for Student Life Camp each summer. ?It was (and still is) a pretty bad “crush.” ?Actually, I think I like the movement so much because it really speaks to my heart like not a whole lot of other things. ?I think that it is because it is all about making Jesus famous…taking His Fame and Glory to the nations. ?I think the other thing is that worship has always been a huge part of my connection with the Savior. ?There have been times of worship, both corporate and private, that have been very instrumental in my journey. ?Many of those times have been around songs and sermons at Passion conferences. I love that they are still influencing the future generation to preach the Gospel to the Nations.

I first met Chris Tomilin over a very cheap meal for youth pastors in Fort Worth, TX while I was in seminary and he was a student at Texas A&M. ?He was working for Dawson McAllister Conferences and we had a very enjoyable conversation over a “conference information lunch” about ministry, college life, and Taylor Guitars! ?My, what God has done through him and used him to influence millions of people through his music! ?What I loved about him was his “guy next door” demeanor. ?He didn’t care to “work the room” like so many others in that room, but was very humble and personal. ?It is amazing how God places experiences in our lives to teach us on this journey. ?Pretty cool.

Kevin said I needed to check out the new Passion CD…it is amazing…as usual!

The title song is great and really speaks to my heart right now. ?What would happen if we all truly had an “awakening” and Christ became the center of all of our lives! ?What could happen if we “woke up” to the fact that the Gospel of Jesus Christ needs to go to the nations? What would happen if we were awakened to the fact that the Gospel needs take root in our own lives and our neighbors’ lives? Amazing things would be done for the name of Jesus!

Here are the words…

In our hearts Lord, in this nation
Awakening
Holy Spirit, we desire
Awakening

For You and You alone
Awake my soul
Awake my soul and sing
For the world You love
Your will be done
Let Your will be done in me

In Your presence, in Your power
Awakening
For this moment, for this hour
Awakening

Like the rising sun that shines
From the darkness comes a light
I?hear Your voice
And this is my awakening

Like the rising sun that shines
Awake my soul
Awake my soul and sing
From the darkness comes a light
Awake my soul
Awake my soul and sing
Like the rising sun that shines
Awake my soul
Awake my soul and sing
Only You can raise a life
Awake my soul
Awake my soul and sing

In our hearts Lord, in the nations
Awakening

I

n our hearts Lord, in this nation

Written by Chris Tomlin and Reuben Morgan / ? 2010 sixsteps Music / worshiptogether.com Songs / Vamos Publishing (Admin. by EMI CMG Publishing) / Hillsong Publishing (admin. in U.S. & Canada by Integrity?s Hosanna! Music) (ASCAP)

Chris Tomlin ? Vocals, Acoustic Guitar ? Matt Redman ? Vocals, Acoustic Guitar ? Kristian Stanfill ? Vocals, Acoustic Guitar ? Christy Nockels ? Vocals ? Nathan Nockels ? Vocals, Keys ? Brett Younker ? Vocals, Acoustic Guitar ? Jesse Reeves ? Bass ? Daniel Carson ? Electric Guitar ? Travis Nunn ? Drums ? Matt Gilder ? Keys