When I left for the Together for the Gospel conference last week, I was planning to post to this blog frequently, and maybe even upload some video. In my backpack was a huge stack of newly-minted business cards, which I hoped to distribute to raise my company’s profile so I could (eventually) get some business from churches. However, while sitting in the airport getting ready to leave Seattle Monday night, I felt prompted by the Holy Spirit to change my plans. The laptop stayed in the bag, and I gave out less than 10 cards - and only then because my email address was on them. I didn’t go to T4G as a business owner or a citizen journalist, but as a Christian.
I also decided to wait until a week after my return had passed before posting my reflections on the conference. Had I posted during or immediately after the event, I would have gushed about Sproul’s or Piper’s message (which were excellent, as were the others), or about how much the worship moved me (apparently, hands were raised, which isn’t something I’m prone to do). In the week since I’ve been back, I’ve relistened to five of the eight messages (I’m going in reverse order, so I’ve reviewed the sermons by Mahaney, Piper, Mohler, Sproul and Dever, with Macarthur, Anyabwile and Duncan still to go) and spent a lot of time thinking and praying. The usual “conference glow” has largely subsided.
And one week later, I can say this with complete confidence: T4G 2008 changed my life.
By God’s providence, the Wednesday speakers - Macarthur, Dever, Sproul, and Mohler - together set forth a glorious picture of the Gospel. They together pointed out areas where the Gospel is under attack in our day, and held forth the glorious truth of Jesus dying in our place, bearing our just punishment and satisfying the wrath of His Father, becoming a curse for us. (As Sproul so powerfully put it, “the gospel is our only hope - and it is hope enough.”)
And then Thursday morning, John Piper spoke on how that same gospel spurs us on to radical sacrifice. One of the texts Piper used was Hebrews 13:12-14:
So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured. For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.
At T4G, God stirred my heart. I want to go outside the camp - no, I want to go to Jesus outside the camp. I want to bear his reproach.
I used to me a little angry with my church because it seemed that I rarely get opportunities to teach (and never to preach), even though the feedback has been uniformly positive whenever I’ve done so. I think I see now why God orchestrated my forced sabbatical - there was a lot of pride in me that needed to be dealt with. I’m not saying that I’m now pride-free (that likely won’t be the case until I’m with Jesus), but at least now I see it and I hate it for the destructive sin that it is.
If God wants me to teach the gospel to a few 5 year olds, I’ll do it. If God wants me to go back to school, I’ll do it. (Granted, He’ll have to supply the means to do so - I do have a family that relies on me!) I’m not putting any parameters or limits on this. I’ll suffer if I have to. I’ll do without if I have to. I’ll look like a fool if I have to. I’ll take any opportunity that God brings my way to proclaim His gospel, because it is the world’s only hope. And it is hope enough!
Here I am, Lord. Send me!
April 25 2008 | Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
On his blog, CJ Mahaney offers some great advice for pastoral teams attending Together for the Gospel as a group. Having the entire pastoral team attend events like this together must surely beneficial - my church’s pastoral team (and several lay elders) attended this year’s Shepherd’s Conference as a group, and the feedback was very positive from all who attended.
However, I’m going to T4G by myself this year, and I certainly don’t want to miss out on the comradery just because no one else from my church is coming. I’m already planning to do some things that will help me meet new people - attending the Band of Bloggers event, sharing a hotel room with a pastor I’ve only met via email, etc.. Anyone out there have additional ideas?
April 11 2008 | Uncategorized | 3 Comments »
I’m floored at God’s provision.
Like many others, I’ve been trying to win a ticket to the Together for the Gospel conference by answering the questions posted at the T4G blog. In fact, my wife and I had decided that I would go only if I won a ticket. Today, Mark Dever posted the winners of the last questions I’d submitted an answer for - and I wasn’t a winner.
I didn’t take it well, frankly. I was discouraged, depressed, and angry. Very little work got done this morning. I spent an hour pouring out my heart to my longsuffering wife, but we both agreed that it wasn’t God’s will for me to go this year.
But apparently God had other ideas. When I finished my gripe session (calling it for what it really was!), I heard a beep on my phone, telling me that I had just received an email. That email, it turned out, bore news that I had a ticket to T4G reserved in my name! (I won’t go into the specifics, but someone associated with T4G had blessed me in ways that make no sense apart from God’s leading.)
So, why did God do this? I can think of a few reasons:
- To keep me from sinning further with my bad attitude
- To encourage me with the event itself
- To make it clear that His provision is sufficient for me
- To make it clear that His power is greater then I give him credit for
- To refocus me on His grace on Good Friday
So, with immense gratitude to my Father, I have a plane ticket and hotel to book.
March 21 2008 | Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
The guys (Al Mohler, Mark Dever, Lig Duncan and C.J. Mahaney) who put on the Together for the Gospel conference in 2006 are doing it again next month in Louisville, KY. I didn’t get to go in 2006, but I did buy the MP3’s of all 7 sessions and I’ve listened to them repeatedly. (The addresses by Dever, Mahaney and John Piper are especially good, although I can easily recommend all 7.) I would really like to go this year, but the facts are these:
- I don’t know anyone who lives in Louisville, so I’d have to get three nights in a hotel - and since I don’t want to rent a car, it would have to be close to the venue. Cost: around $350, once you factor in the hotel taxes.
- Louisville, KY isn’t within easy driving distance of Mount Vernon, WA, so I’d have to fly. Cost: $250-300, depending on when I buy the ticket.
- Then, I have to actually register for the conference. Cost: $299.
- I might want to eat sometime during my trip. Cost: $100-200, depending on what kind of restaurants are available in the area.
So, to add it all up, I’m looking at paying over a thousand dollars for this conference. Is it worth it? On the one hand, yes. The preaching will be stellar, and the opportunities for meeting people will be good. (I’d especially like to touch base with Tim, Justin and Thabiti, all of whom write blogs that I regularly frequent.) I also want to see how the mapping application that was built for T4G turned out. (The T4G guys asked software companies for bids to build it, and I was “first runner-up.” I’m curious to see the results from the winner!)
On the other hand, that’s a lot of money, and there are many other ways to spend it - debt retirement, home improvements, family trips, etc.
How to decide? Again Messrs. Mohler, Dever, Duncan and Mahaney are here to help me out. They’re asking questions on the T4G blog and giving out free registrations to the best answer to each question. (I’ve answer four of the five questions so far. Haven’t won yet.) If I won a ticket, that would probably put me over the edge into the “going” category.
So, anyone know of cheap accommodations in Louisville, just in case I find favor in the site of … whomever is choosing the best answers?
March 10 2008 | Uncategorized | No Comments »