T4G - Day One

A great day with 5000 in attendance. Ligon Duncan challenged us to be good Systematic Theologians in our preaching. Thabiti Anyabwile challenged us that race is not found in Scripture; we are all descended biologically and spiritually from the one man Adam. Ethnicity is a construct one slides in and out of. Bob Kauflin lead the inspired singing.

Louisville - T4G

Well, I've arrived safe and sound (?) in Louisville. Later this morning I'm going to meet "TJ" a fellow blogger @ WORLD Magazine blog. There are going to be 5000+ men and well over 100 bloggers covering the conference. Go to Challies dot com to read a good blog of the conference. Well, off to breakfast and meeting TJ.

T4G - part 2

I'm looking forward to being in Louisville at Together 4 the Gospel 2008. I attended in 2006 with about 2800 pastors. I understand this year there may be 5000 of us. I know the singing will be extraordinary. Speakers are Al Mohler, CJ Mahaney, Mark Dever and Ligon Duncan with friends John Piper, John MacArthur, RC Sproul and Thabiti Anyabwile. I expect my spiritual batteries to be fully charged at the end of the conference Thursday.

Persecuted Church

We had a representative from Voice of the Martyrs speak to us at our Vespers service last Sunday evening. We were reminded once again that persecution was not long ago and far away, but as near as China, Indonesia and the Sudan. Pray for our brothers and sisters in those locations.

Amazing Grace

Tonight some of us are gathering to watch the video of "Amazing Grace," the story of William Wilberforce and his campaign to end the British slave trade and abolish slavery. I'd recommend two books as background. Amazing Grace by Eric Metaxas and John Newton: From Disgrace to Amazing Grace by Jonathan Aitken. These books record the stories of two remarkable men brought together by God's providence nand the legacy the left to Christians. I recommend them highly.

Relief

Well, it is kind of a punch in the stomach to be told - after the fact - that one of you heart arteries was 99% blocked. A stent was put in and I am doing fine. I was able to preach the Sunday after the operation, but I was very tired afterwards. I am very grateful to the Lord for the gifts he gives to doctors and those who assist them. Now I've got to get back to exercising, which was the whole reason for getting checked in the first place. If you prayed for me - thanks!