Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Australia

So it was our first time to the beautiful nation/continent of Australia. The long flight was totally worth it as we arrived in Sydney. We were there for the Hillsong conference. A lot of our friends have been to the conference and said that it was incredible. They weren't lying. God totally shook us up as a band in a really good way. We played twice in five days, so we really had a lot of time to dig in and go the sessions. The worship was so genuine and inspiring. But most of all God reminded us that this is more than singing songs to Him. That for every note we play and ever lyric we sing, there should be an action behind it. Worshiping God with music is amazing, but it means nothing unless it's flows out into rivers of evangelism and justice.

It reminded us that the Opposite Way is simply doing what Jesus was brave enough to do. Fighting for the poor. Standing up for those that can't stand up for themselves. Actually doing what we talk about all the time. Living what we're singing.

These are just a few of the things that God challenged us about in Australia.

Matthew 25:35-40
"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'


Here are some pix from the trip. We'll post a video soon.
i love them,  Image Hosting
This picture sums up our entire summer. :-)



 Image Hosting




mini cooper crash test,  Image Hosting




 Image Hosting





sling,  Image Hosting
The sound o' melodies...



b ca  a,  Image Hosting
The view of Olympic Park from our hotel.



titan          the chrysanthem,  Image Hosting
Not really sure what's happening here...



blotnik,  Image Hosting
Hanging with the boyz.



 Image Hosting
And this is the reason we go to Australia. Tim Tams will change your life.

I have to soundcheck now. Much love!

-jack

PS. If you haven't gone over to www.theoppositeway.com yet, go check it out. Share your story about what God is doing in your life. About how your living the Opposite Way.