John M., Wayne, Darien, Daniel and I just returned from the Straight Up Conference at Harvest Bible Chapel.
Some highlights:
- Andrew and Norby drove up from Iowa. We had a great time together. RBC ordained Andrew and sent him out as Senior Pastor to Radcliffe Iowa. We all love Andrew and Ruby for good reason. Their years here in Racine were precious to all of us.
- Wayne got the giggles during one of the sessions. There he was, in the middle of our row, clutching his gut, tears streaming down his face, trying with all his might to stop laughing. When the laughing would not stop – and it wouldn’t – then the battle became that jaw-clenching, shoulder-hunching effort to keep it silent. This was a priceless moment
- This next one is not a highlight. It was a low-point. I ordered cheese fries at the Steak and Shake. Darien and I were on the far end of the table awaiting the salty, melty goodness. The cheese fries made it as far as Norby and Dan. There they stopped. What is this? Have these guys ever heard of sharing? I am deeply grieved over the carnal selfishness in the life of these two youth pastors.
- John M. went to the mission’s break-out session and the Harvest leaders shared about Barbosus in Romania. It was sweet to hear an update on our missionaries from another like-minded church.
- The sermons from John MacArthur and CJ Mahaney were deeply convicting. God is pressing more love and grace into my heart. His Spirit is using His Word to make me a better Pastor.