Higher Things-Given 2010

Almost two weeks ago, I attended the Higher Things conference in Nashville, TN. It lasted from July 6-9. I went with some friends and had a blast! The theme for the conference was about how much God has given us. He has given us His Son to die for us and much, much more. Jesus took upon the sins of the world and has granted us salvation and forgiveness of all our sins. Through His Word and Sacraments, we can receive that salvation and forgiveness.

Each day, my group attended two or three chapel services. Various settings from the LSB were used, and I really enjoyed that. After the main chapel service, a plenary session was held. Over 1100 people were at the conference and attended the plenary session. These sessions were focused mainly on vocation and the liturgy, both of which God has given to us.

One of the other sessions I attended was on the Lord's Supper. While at it, I received a sheet of paper with lots of quotes that Martin Luther made on this Sacrament. One of them was as follows: "We must never regard the sacrament as a harmful thing from which we should flee, but as a pure, wholesome, soothing medicine that aids you and gives life in both soul and body. For where the soul is healed, the body is helped as well." God has given us so much, even though we are poor, miserable sinners!

The closing chapel service was amazing! An orchestra accompanied much of the music in the service, so it was beautiful to listen to. Below, I have posted a verse from the hymn we sang once every day:

O God, O Lord of heav'n and earth,
Your living finger never wrote
That life should be an aimless mote,
A deathward drift from futile birth.
Your Word meant life triumphant hurled
In splendor through your broken world;
Since light awoke and life began,
You made for us a holy plan.