Sorry for the delay in the posting. Friday was a late day and we were busy this
morning to get on the road on time.
On Friday morning we had very little traffic and a great
drive in. Once there we had a quick
breakfast and prayed for Pastor Tom.
While waiting in line to get in I overheard a story from the
man in sunglasses below. He lived in
South Dakota and became convicted that he needed to enter ministry.
So after speaking with his wife and family
they agreed. He put is house up for sale
and enrolled in the Master’s Seminary. He
moved to LA, with no job and his old house still on the market. He stated things were not easy, but he got a
job and things were working out. He
seemed overjoyed with his direction.
The Countryside team saved us a seat and we were able to sit
just a few rows back from Pastor John M.
Tom was the first speaker of the day. During his message I recalled that Tom had left dinner early the evening before to prepare with prayer and meditate.
He started with the rhetorical statement; “ I
am not the one going crazy”. Tom noted
that he had considered several texts prior to settling on Matt 23. He then described his personal struggle with
blind-spots and described dealing with 90% damage to his right eye. His intent was to help us all to consider our
own blind spots in terms of our personal commitment to integrity. The message was classic Tom, deliberate and
clear. As he progressed, the focus became incrementally more
sturdy and uncomfortable. I began to
notice the fidgetiness of folks in the pews and coughing that grew at least a
little more distracting. At first I felt
Tom was like a sniper taking his shots with all of us. Then I changed my mind-he was really more intimate
in his efforts. More surgeon like. Tom is a man that does not tolerate error in
word or person and is contagious with sharing that understanding. In short, it was very, very good. In terms of meaning and content-it was the
finest message of the event and worthy of the travel.
Next came lunch. On
deck was Sharky’s. They served 3500 men with burritos, chips,
salsa and cookies in ~25 minutes. It was
an amazing process and good food. A full
burrito with rice, that was a little dryer with less cheese than we get in
Texas, but still full and delicious.
Jason also met some new Navy friends.
When we finished lunch a quick pass for gifts and book bargains
(they had JM’s book on Inerrancy for $5 each!). We made our way back into the
Worship Center for the Q&A Session.
Prior to lunch there was a line of folks waiting to speak
with Pastor Tom. When we returned there
was again a line waiting to speak with him.
Below is the after-lunch line…
Not sure if he ever had lunch.
But he was so kind to everyone.
Just a quick note. There were 800 folks from Grace Church that
were working for us as volunteers. They
were amazing and tireless. Over the
three days some of the folks were there every day and all day. Add to this the days of work and preparation
that occurred in advance; it is such an amazing testimony to the power of the
Word to change lives. We were awash in a
shared love of Christ and willing acts of sacrifice. On Thursday we mentioned the hot dogs. These were from Burt. He was a founder at Grace and build the Worship Center. Burt himself was there. Not as person of stature but as a servant. Burt was personally doing the most menial jobs there was to be done in his team.
During the Q&A there were two points that we will
highlight:
JM has a new book coming out. The title is “Being a Dad Who Leads”. The publisher has pushed back because the
title has too much of a reverence to ‘gender and authority’. The pushback is from the Christian Bookstores….
Al Mohler when on to explain a conversation he had this
week. A close, Christian friend with
young children recounted a story. While
the man was discussing various LGBT issues and topics with his wife, his 9 year
old son interrupted and corrected his father “that’s hate speech dad…”
There is a message that is clearly penetrating the
conscience of even those in Christian families.
Now for Paul Washer.
This was an unexpected and powerful experience. I have Heard Paul before but was not prepared
for his message. This must be in some
small way what it was like to hear one of the prophets from the OT. This man is lean, measured and deliberate in his
delivery. Every word used demonstrated a
passion for people and a love for Christ.
Paul is an athlete in his delivery.
At times seething with a measured rage that is rooted in compassion; no
doubt Paul hates sin and fears God.
During the message there were several distractions that bubbled up-there
were no match for his message. When he
was complete, many were in tears, most fought back the tears. All were exhausted and spent. Pairing Paul with Tom on the last day was
providentially wonderful and helpful in terms of spiritual growth.
The food trucks awaited us for dinner. The rain had stopped and a wide spectrum of
food awaited us. The favorite for Texans
was The Grilled Cheese Truck and a ½ doz cream puffs for desert.
On one of the food trucks I noticed a reminder of just how
much the message is still needed even on the campus of Grace.
In-Progress a quick
lesson on horticulture from the Schuh family.
Outside the Worship Center Mark and Katie are noted as
missionaries.
Jason had mentioned that he was looking for someone from
Haiti. Right after I took this photo, I
was standing in line to get in.
A man came up, stepped right in front of me. He bent down and looked at my badge. Raised
his head and stated; “Bryint, I am Jon Rony and I am here from Haiti”. Just like that. More to share when we see you.
We seated and prepared to hear the final session. The music was beautiful, sublime and Christ
Glorifying.
Dr. John M. Completed his outline of the Doctrines contained
in John 17. It was thorough and powerful.
John also noted that next year in February will be a Shepherd’s Conference
that will focus on the Reformation. Jason is already planning for a return. I could write so very much more, but you
should download the podcast of John.
Finally let me share a list of quotes that stood out just
from this one day:
- with 3 years of training, these 11 men turned the world upside down.
- Not having enough patience with people
- Do you love the prominent positions you enjoy?
- The World’s view is not different-it is opposed to us
- Operate in the residue of Christian world view
- Illusion of neutrality
- Ruthlessly Biblical
- We are Imputationists
- Like all wars we have lost another word
- Stand in Christ, between God and the devil for your people
- Don’t overestimate your importance.
- The only thing from the Navigators worth reading are my books.
- Beauty that is so sharp it cuts.
- If only we could have been in hell a short-while
- Is there not a person I can sow my heart with Christ?
- All language fails to explain
- A sacrifice so pleasing it satisfies His wrath
- Does that make you tremble?
- How can I breath in the light of this truth?
- Easter is coming and I dread it for the sermons I will hear
- Sir, the wrath of almighty God was in the cup!
- Thou expect you shall pay the last mite
- Now DO YOUR WORK!
We love you all. Our
hearts ache and cherish the moments tomorrow when we can see your face. Thanks so much for your love, counsel and
help in making this happen for us. We
are changed.
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