I'm back! Praise God, I'm back (without a sunburn, I might add)!

My weekend at the Parachute Music Festival was phenomenal! The mix between amazing music and prayer was perfect. The music revved us up and the prayer gave us a break from the heat and focused us.

I want to thank you all for praying for my team as we headed up this prayer ministry. Though we didn't see any immediate affects of our prayer, our hearts were broken for the youth of New Zealand. In the midst of all the music and "famous people," we realized that many of these kids take part in a form of idol worship. They call themselves Christians but they don't follow The Way. But instead of neglecting Jesus completely, they put a Christian musician in His place.

I have to admit that I have been (and was this weekend) guilty of this. It's so easy to get caught up in the fame of it all. The artists become people we adore. Because they're on stage and performing for us, we elevate them to a place higher then ourselves, which, in turn, is taking glory away from God. The only one who should be higher then us is God. No one else...no king, no queen...no artist.

Back in the day, I was the person my heart broke for this weekend. I was INTO the Christian music scene. I spent hundreds of dollars going to concert after concert, buying swag (t-shirts, pins, stickers, patches, etc.), buying CDs and DVDs, and spending countless hours on the internet researching my favorite artists. Looking back, that time was pointless. I hardly listen to those CDs I JUST HAD TO HAVE, I don't wear any of the shirts, I have no idea where any of the pins, stickers or patches went...It was all meaningless and material! It all passed away. The only thing that remained was a shabby quilt made out of my old band t-shirts. I didn't get any closer to any of the artists, I didn't become famous myself (something I've always yearned for)...I am still Caitlin. I was discontent with myself and the life I lead. I wanted to know someone and be something more. I wanted unreality.

That's what I saw in those kids (and adults) this weekend. I saw kids hiding behind makeup and hair do's and clothes that could not have been comfortable, and I saw and experienced people doing ANYTHING for a picture of their favorite artist(s). I was raising my handto take a picture of my favorite singer (guilty, again), Shawn McDonald, when the girl behind me growled (literally) and smacked me on the head. I turned around to see her scowl and say, "You ruined a perfectly good picture!" Shucks.

Where does God fit into this? How are these kids able to squeeze Him into their lives while they're so focused on music and the artists? The truth is, He doesn't. It's our choice to put those things above God--He won't stop us. So when we (by"we," I mean me and the kids Isaw this weekend)fantacize about marrying a Christian artist and getting involved in the whole industry, God won't fight. That's free will. It's our choice.

So, for 12 hours straight for two days, the 9 of us from AIMattending Parachute alternated prayer on behalf of these kids asking God to break the false worship and instill new futures of hope and love. We did get to enjoy much of the music and entertainment, but from 10 am - 10 pm on Saturday and Sunday, not a single minute went by without being covered in prayer.

The Scripture that God laid on my heart this weekend was Isaiah 40. It reminded me that God is forever. After all the excitement of Parachute and the artists and the materialistic things pass away, God still stands. The best thing is, God is BIG! I challenge you to read verses 25-31. God is REALLY BIG. Bigger then Parachute and definitely bigger then any of the artists there we (there's that term "we" again...) hold in such high esteem.

On a sadder note, there was a tragedy. Yesterday (Sunday) afternoon there was a group of people jumping off a bridge into a deep water hole. A young man jumped off, hit his head, got knocked out and was caught up in an old car at the bottom of the river. Unfortunately, he did not make it. One band had to cancel it's last performance due to the personal affects of the tragedy. I just ask that you pray for the family and friends who are now without a brother, son, friend, grandson, uncle, nephew, etc. BUT, also rejoice that he is in Heaven, partying like never before with Jesus and the angels.

Thank you all, once again, for what you've done for my team and I through prayer. I ask you to continue to lift us up in prayer.