We are having a blast. This trip for me hasn't been about the great teaching (it has been great) but the time with the guys has been really great. I'm rooming with a guy that I wouldn't have picked to room with. My brother in law is on the trip with me and that seemed the most logical room mate situation being that it wouldn't have been the first time. But our rooms were assinged and who we got is who we got. I like that I am challanged in comforts like this. And the time with my roomie has been better than I thought it would've been. I'd gladly room again with Wayne.
The morning message came from a guy that has been the highlight of the conference for me an some of the other guys. His name is Eric Mason and he pastors a church in Dallas. He brought the word in a style not familiar to us in our suburbian bible belt. In a word, refreshing. After the morning meetings we grabbed lunch at a middle eastern resturant where I had the best shwirma sandwich I have ever had. (shwirma is basically a gyro but in a pita pocket). I consider myself cultured in food and can typically find anything that i would like on a menu. Im glad I went with the shwirma.We came back to enjoy a biography of CS Lewis by John Piper. It was very encouraging to me that a man I love and respect (John Piper) was affected greatly by a man that didn't share a lot of the same doctrinal or theological views. God used and is still using Lewis to encourage and affect the lives of many. Just and FYI - if you didn't know, Chronicles of Narnia is about Jesus.
For dinner, we walked about a mile in the cold ,sub 10 weather to a pretty good pizza place. Their famous for a "baked potato pizza". Toppings included bacon, broccli, sour cream and mashed potato. It was suprisingly good. We then walked the mile back to catch Sam Storms for his last session. He wrapped it up well, though his style is something that we are not used to.
The favorite of the day was still Eric Mason. www.desiringgod.org You can find the audio at that web address. Eric had some very practical application to his message. He said, " Suffering is the foreman or super intendent on the construction site that is sanctification." He went on to share how his prayers have changed from asking God to allow trials to pass by, to asking God to prepare his heart to endure the upcoming trials. Trials come and it is for a purpose. Embrace it and rely on Christ. That was helpful for me.
After the last session, we went out for some local favorite dessert. Sebastian Joe's. The night was wrapping up well. After some good ice cream and better fellowship the night was still young at 10:30pm. I stayed out with some guys till about 2:30am. So far it has been my favorite time of the trip. I'm looking forward to what the final day brings and hoping to make my flight home. Jenny and Emery are missed terribly. Lord bring me home.
Thanks for reading... One love
Josh
Comments