19. April 2008 by admin.

Had to post one last time, to tell about the last day of the conference. Mindblowing…

The night before (Wednesday) I lay awake in bed, unable to sleep. I was filled with doubt, uncertainty about the choice I had made about selling all of our stuff, and going into full time ministry. As some are aware, some early financial setbacks have hit me and my wife, due our home buyers problem in getting financed.

Anyway, I must have prayed for at least two hours before falling asleep, pleading with the Lord to assure me I was doing the right thing.

He sent an answer, via his messenger, John Piper. Piper seemed to stare at me as he preached his message, speaking of the importance of “Radical Christian Sacrifice”, of “giving up everything and hitting the road”. His face almost glowed (no, I am not exaggerating) with the Spirit, full of contagious passion.

John Piper is a powerful (and humble!) man of God. I cannot believe I have not listened to him before this.

C.J. Mahaney finished up with a well spoken message, filled with a refreshing lightness and humor, which was a good close for the conference.

In all, for my 99 dollar entry fee, I received approximately 270 dollars worth of free books, and a changed life. Thank you so much, T4G! I have never felt the Spirit so powerfully.

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

17. April 2008 by admin.

 R.C. Sproul’s son in law was rushed to the hospital (not from the conference). It seems pretty serious> keep him in your prayers.

BUT> as I am sure a lot of people know, CJ is a continuationist. He told R.C. “I’m going to pray for you> because despite what everyone says, you WANT a continuationist praying for you at a time like this”. He got R.C. (and everyone else in the place ) roaring with laughter. Awesome guy.

John Macarthur and Al Mohler delivered good (but typical for them) scholarly dissertations on “Total Inability”, and “The Atonement: why they hate it so”.

Mark Dever (bless his soul) spoke on, among other things, the divorcing of external trappings from “The Gospel”. Good works, civic duty, feeding the poor, etc. are all great things, but there results OF the gospel, not the gospel themselves. He also spoke of the preeminence of evangelism by Christians, and the church.

R.C. Sproul’s sermon dug deep into Jewish roots, explaining the two types of prophetic announcements, the day of atonement and the scapegoat, passover, and how all of these all tied into the curse (anathema) that God placed on human kind. I must admit, he is gifted.

One last thing. These men are all pictured as ridgid, scolarly types. But I saw everyone of them (even Macarthur!!) , well with feeling, and cry tears.

P.S. I saw many more evangelizing today, which also lifted my spirits!

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

16. April 2008 by admin.

O.k. First, Ligon Duncan made an impeccable and rousing exposition, of not only the importance of Systematic Theology, but demonstrated the complete inablitity of Pastors NOT to engage in it.

Then there was a break, and I went out and got a bite to eat, and witnessed to some people on the street. I got some pictures, I’ll post em later. Witnessed to three different street musicians (got one of them strumming and singing “Shout to the Lord” to the passers by> I helped sing part of it. It was great.

I have to admit, I got a little depressed at this point. I witnessed to several people, but I didn’t see a single other person doing so. I thought to myself “What would happen in the First century town, if you brought 5,000 preachers together in one spot? There would have been some street preaching!”

I did finally see another guy witnessing. This lifted my spirits substantially, and I figure there must have been many more I could not see.

Thabiti Anyambwile, gave an excellent sermon on “ethnicity, not race”. I liked it very much. I will have to check out some more stuff of his.

Everyone attended got there first two of the many books you receive for free. It lightens my heart to see these men of God not keeping money for themselves, but investing it back in the flock. I paid 99 bucks to go this conference> I got 30 dollars worth of free books today, and the total will no doubt surpass my entry fee before it is over.

*Edit> One last thing. I have never, in my time as a Christian, met someone who OOZED Jesus Christ out of every pore, the way C.J. Mahaney does. Humble, joyful, kind. Unbelievable man of God. Can’t wait to hear him preach.

Anyway, we start bright and early tomorrow. Gotta get some sleep.

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

15. April 2008 by admin.

Well I am in good spirits, even though my back is killing me. Not only did I get to witness to a couple of people, I met a “Scott”. I offered to do my accent, but he declined.

I am going to try to give daily posts of my experience at Together for the Gospel, and any interesting witness encounters I might have. Tomorrow is Ligon Duncan, and Thabiti Anyabwile. I ‘ll post after we get done tomorrow.

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

7. April 2008 by admin.

My Church, Brazosport Baptist Temple, voted unanimously to license me. I guess I am official now.

Witnessed to a group of young men, who appeared to be Gang members yesterday. They seemed to be receptive, and everything went pretty smooth. But I came across, once again, the “desensitizing” that has been done by our American culture. These guys thought they were already “cool”, as they put it.

I  have prayed for them, and I ask anyone reading this to do so as well…

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

3. April 2008 by admin.

I preached at Brazosport Baptist Temple again last night (the best little church in South Texas). It’s strange how shaky and nervous I was, until I actually began (much like last time) and how quickly it went away once I started. I feel like God was with me, and I thank him for the opportunity to do his work.

We’re still working on hitting the road. We are waiting to see if the Lady buying our is going to be able to get it financed. If not, we’re gonna have to put it back on the market…

More later…

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »