Flame 2012...

This week I went to the Flame Congress at Wembley Arena with 8,500 other young people. The size of the event alone was enough to inspire any young catholic and make them realise we are not alone in their faith. The music and production was fantastic and got everyone on their feet. The highlight for me was the inspirational testimonies given by so many believers.


There was a heavy emphasis on sport and although there are some shared values I felt that some speakers were afraid to mention God, even in front of 8,500 young Catholics, which just shows how anti-faith our country is becoming that people are afraid of persecution in every environment. This made the testimonies by Stef Reid and Debbie Floor even more amazing. Stef Reid spoke about her tragic accident when she was young and how it opened her up to ask God what his plan is for her. She is now a paralympic world record holder and a great hope for the British team this summer. She invited all of us present to ask God what his plan is for us and reminded us that our God is a mighty God, even when we can't see the bigger picture he can and we have to put our trust in him. It really helped me to put my life into Gods hands and not stress about the future, God knew us before we were born and we know he will look after us so we have no need to worry. Matthew tells us in Chapter 6, Verses 33-34:

'Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.'

The Mizen families emotional testimony was a great example of how a belief in the power of the Holy Spirit can help you through even the most tragic events in life. This was very well complimented by a group of young people from Gorton, Manchester who are using music to motivate young people and keep them out of trouble. Using their talents for positive results and not negative.

MC David Wells spoke very well, he told us that our generation is too quickly judged, God doesn't produce rubbish, we aren't useless, we aren't lazy, we aren't forgotten, we aren't unloved. His words were very powerful, then he proved that we can always achieve our goals by fulfilling his ambition of taking part in a Glee medley.

Sr Catherine Golum was infectious in her love for Jesus, she was a champion speed skater for America before she was called to live a life for God. The crowd were whipped into a frenzy by her words and it led to a spontaneous chant of JESUS, JESUS, JESUS by all 8,500 present.

It was a fantastic day that left all who attended feeling full of the joy of God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Brilliant event organised very well by the team behind the scenes. May god bless you all with his abundant love.


YCM