Monday, March 20, 2000

10:33 PM, on the computer

Well, it's been almost two weeks since I've updated my journal. But I've got good reason, lately life has been so amazing... well, that and my mouse broke.

During Spring Break I kept my promise about reading the Bible. I spent about five hours a day reading the Bible and having Devotionals. I even fasted for a day and a half. During that week I had a lot revealed to me, like the fact that I really don't need a girlfriend or a job right now. There's a scripture that says "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matthew 6:33) and I've decided to live by it. Since then I have been blessed beyond my comprehension, and it all came to an incredible mini-climax this weekend. I attended the Aquire the Fire convention as a chaperon for my Church's youth group, and the doors that God opened up for me in ONE day is just awesome. Some of you may ask "Well, how was the convention?" I couldn't tell you, I missed half of it! I was there, but I was off doing interviews. Here's all what happened (yes, it's the long version):

Friday night we left for Nashville. Decent trip, no real troubles. We decided to head straight for the convention instead of going to the hotel, and it was a good idea. The place was PACKED! I'd estimate there were thousands of Christian youth there. It was amazing. The convention started with some great music from the ATF Praise and Worship team. The speaker and president of Teen Mania Industries, Ron Luce, was an amazing speaker. There were some really cute dramas performed by the ATF Drama Team (and there was something special about the lead female, I just couldn't place it), and some concerts on top of all that. I recommend a group called According to John. They're a good group. At 11, the convention closed for the day and we went back to the hotel.

Saturday was the most amazing day of my life as of yet. It started out slow with the SAME worship songs that were sang Friday night, and Ron Luce came out again to speak, the drama team came out again and did another cute skit. and then Ron started talking about something called Teen Mania Honor Academy. He showed a video, and it seemed amazing, it was really something. It was about being a leader for the generation and changing the world. Everything said in the video was like a confirmation of everything that was going on in my life. Afterwards, Ron came out and said "Now if this video spoke to you, and you want to be a person that changes the world rather than accepting it, would you please stand up now?" and I shot up like a bottle rocket along with about 100 other people and shouted "I'll do it!" He thanked us all for our courage and passion and said for us to go to the bottom floor for a youth leadership conference and information about the honor academy. In that meeting, I signed up for interviews for three things:

An audition to become part of the ATF Drama team once I get to the academy at 1:45
One for a leadership position with missions around the world at 3
And an interview for entrance to the academy at 2:45

The academy interview went good, and when the interviewer asked me what the one word that would best describe me was, I looked her right in the eyes, grinned, and said "unpredictable."

The Leadership interview went great, when I was asked why I wanted to be a leader I said "well, there's leaders and there's followers. I've done my share of following and I know God's calling me to be on the front lines. I want to be a General of God's Army and carry a sword in one hand and a banner in the other and charge forward in victory." His response? "Um.... whoa."

By far the best experience was the audition for the Drama team. I waited around for 45 minutes and then I was called in along with another guy. He and I had to act out a skit that was written for Aquire the Fires in the past, and we did pretty well. We both made each other look good, and I impressed myself. I forgot to mention though, I was right about the actress... she was a judge for the audition. When I got out it was 15 minutes until my academy interview so I sat around and waited. The guy in charge of drama came out and asked if I was doing anything. I replied that I was waiting for an interview and he asked if I'd come back in and do another reading... I said sure, but felt uneasy about doing a monologue that would change my life forever on videotape. Nope... no pressure. He gave me the skit and told the afformentioned actress to read the other part. She opened her mouth and started the scene and immediately I was awestruck and felt God's anointing come upon me. It was amazing to feel His hand moving me, giving me inspiration, and the actress (I wish so much that I could rememeber her name!!) was phenominal and she lifted me up even more. At that moment I realized that I was at a definitive point in my life, and with God behind me I was seizing it. You only live once, and I can say at that point I was alive. We acted the scene, and it was flawless... it was a silly soap opera, but we had to be very affectionate. I had to hold her in my arms while she told me how much she loved me and I replied saying that "I loved me too, er... I love you" and then we got into an argument and I said that I had left her for someone, and the reason why was because the other woman had a Mr Potato Head. She and I continued our silly argument and the judge said "cut" and then reality settled in.

I had just acted in a scene that would be reviewed by a respected academy.

God had pushed me forward the entire time.

I had just acted with an actress involved in doing skits for missions worldwide.

In the scene I held this girl in my arms and we expressed affection for each other.

I know it was a scene, but I immediately became flushed. She asked why I was blushing and I started stuttering and she laughed. I told her that it was a pleasure to work with her and how much of an experience it was, and she shyly thanked me and I said goodbye to the both of them, praising the Lord on the whole way out. When I got outside I felt so incredible and I was on fire for my next two interviews. At about that time I noticed my youth group leaving for dinner and I went with them and told mom about my experience. It was the best three hours of my life, it literally changed it forever. Praise the Lord Most High!

Anyone who spoke to me that day would have agreed that I walked with a spring in my step. I was on fire for God and I was ready to take on the world. My first act as a man of God?

I ate sushi.

Yup, I ate raw fish. I saw a restaurant, figured "what the hay, you only life once..." and asked Grant (the youth pastor) if I could go. He said sure and I asked if anyone wanted to go with me. I had two skeptic friends of mine say they'd go watch me eat, but soon I had them eating Eel and laughing with the best of them. It was an awesome meal, I look forward to the next time I eat it.

The rest of the convention wasn't nearly as awesome as my interviews, but nevertheless it was still something in itself. Ron Luce showed a few more videos, my actress friend came out and did another skit, and there was a touching video about one of the girls killed in the Columbine shooting. Mr Luce came out again for the final speech, and he unveiled the Teenage Bill of Rights, a document that will be signed by the youth of America and makes a stand for the cause of God in schools. I was proud to be able to add my signature to it, if I can I'll find a copy of it to post on this page. Well Ron said a prayer, gave a final altar call (so many people found Jesus this weekend... praise the Lord and bless all the people that got saved!) closed the convention and we left. I went to bed that night knowing that God had revealed himself to me that day. Praise His eternal name!

Well, we left Nashville Sunday morning and we went home. We pulled into the church parking lot at 6:10 and I immediately went in and picked up my sax and started playing. It was a great experience, I played and people sang and we just worshipped God to our heart's desire. After the music ended the pastor began laying hands on people and praying for healing and deliverance, and he layed hands on my mother and she was overcome with the Holy Spirit. I almost cried, I was so happy. After church I helped Grant take the vans back to the rental agency and my family and I went home.

So here I am typing this up, and I'm realizing how much Jesus has done for me in just a year and what He's going to do for me in the future. He's forgiven my sins, made sure I'm going to Heaven, made me into a different person, saved my family, helped me get through a difficult time, and blessed me with peace... something I'd never had before until now. And as for the future, my life is about to kick into overdrive. In this year alone I'll be leading mission trips around the world, acting in skits around the world, going to an academy where I'll learn discipline and skills that will help me in all walks of life, and helping with Aquire the Fire conventions around the country. In five years I'll be an ordained minister and I'll be travelling the world and going on mission trips, setting up churches, and leading all sorts of people to Christ... I'll have lived a life people only dreamed of, and all before I hit the age of thirty!!

If you've read all this and you want some of what I'm experiencing, I suggest finding an Aquire the Fire near you and going to it!! And if you haven't accepted Christ as your savior yet, I beg of you to do so... it'll be the best decision of your life. If you need help or have questions, just e-mail me and I'll answer questions and pray for you if you'd wish. If you don't listen to what I'm saying, I implore you to at least read the Gospel of John before denying Him. If you're going to deny Him, at least know a little about Him first. I wish nothing more upon the world than for everyone to know Jesus and share the joy that I have on a day to day basis. He's the most amazing thing in my life, and He's my best friend. May His name be eternally blessed, and God bless all who read this!!

Consumed by the Call,

- John Wade, IV