Far away, not out of mind

Nate was the driver yesterday morning. We slowed down just once on the I5.  We were so excited to see what awaits.  The campus is dense.  Seems more so with 3500 men on site.  The first thing that impressed us was the overwheming kindness and love.  We were awash in lavish treatment.

The bookstore is 8K sf tent, packed with books at wholesale prices.  It is also the place we receive our free box of books!  Did I mention the lavish treatment?

All the sessions start with music and the voices of hymms supported only by men is compelling.  The first opening message from John M. Set the mark.  Key the the points he shared was the reminder that the Lords Prayer is not for the Lord.  It is for us.  The Lord does not prayer for protection from sin...  TRUE, Simple, Clear and weighty.  Then there was more.  John noted that 63 countries were watching the streaming with 63000 conections live.  Over 50 coutries were represented on-site.  Curiously no one from Main or Vermont.  They need our prayers.


We broke for lunch.  The lunch was chicken and beef not a simple box lunch.  The serving was very fast but still took some time.  We did not get to attend the lunch sessions...  After lunch we enjoyed the scathing wit of Phil J.  Too much there to note, but a must see.  FYI... Phil is more than a little annoyed by zip lines "swami's of style".  Last point from Phil, he gave us a new word; Narrci-gesis.  Definition:  A pastor whom prosseses a strong grasp of clinical self-worth but a vacuity of knowledge related to any scriptural content.

Steve L. was next. There was a small event just prior to Steve's prentation. We met some folks.  From that meeting, there was some potential to have derailed us, but Providence and Wisdom prevailed.  The result is we watched Steve in overflow separate from Marv and Nate.  Not perfect but still very good.  It also gave Nate a chance to minister with 'incremental physicality'.  What a great man Jason's brother is.
Just before Steve we heard a song from a soprano ned Grace.  It was captivating and moving.  Her singing was a kinf tug that helped to re-center our minds and hearts.

Also, being in overflow we were the only ones that had a hymnal.  That provided the opportunity for Jason and I to sing a duet.  It was masterful. At the moments when we were on the same line.  Becky would have been proud.

 Back to Steve, my goodness.  He outlined Psalm 2 and the presented a tsunami of structured indignation and mercy. It was potent and powerful. It was also a comfort and well applied to TODAY.

The Master's Chorale was amazing.  Pastor Tom's daughter was there.  If it is on streaming to watch, please do.

Ligon D. closed with and exigesis of Rom 8:32.  It was sorrowful in the context of how little we really understand, not because we do not have the time, but because we do not make the effort.

Mark set us up to have dinner with the Countryside folks.  What a great time of fellowship and love.  There is so much more to share when we see you.  In Thess, there is the repeated thought, of longing to see your face.  That is so very real for us.

The title of this post is a quote fron John regarding Ligon.  It applies to us and our love for you all.