Wednesday night meeting

I know our Internet listeners look forward to new messages twice a week, but this evening we needed to have a little "family time" at GCA. Consequently, there is no midweek message. Like all churches, we have to get together as a body once in a while and discuss things; where we are, where we're going, and the best course to get there.

So, we'll be mic'd up and talking this Sunday. Thanks for your patience, your prayers and your support!

Last pix from Lexington

One thing that Barney Johnson does during the conference is work with the youth from all the attending churches to build a choir composed strictly of teens and young adults. This is that choir. There were so many kids wanting to sing for Elder Barney that they couldn't all fit in the choir loft. He works with them Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, then they perform Thursday evening. He writes the arrangements and often sequences the music in his electronic keyboards. Other times, the live organist, pianist and drummer accompany the choir. This year they sang four songs; and they sing with great gusto and spirit. We clapped, we swayed, we shouted for joy. I never cease to be amazed at what Barney accomplishes is such a short time.



I like this photo of Elder Ward presiding over "preacher's row." It's a line of seats off to the side of the platform. Actually, the front three rows of the congregational seating is also reserved for preachers because of the large number of ministers who come from all over the country to attend the Main Street conference.

Needless to say, I was in good company and I only regret that we were able to spend such a short time together. The conference ramps up, we're off and running, and suddenly it's over and we all have to go back to real life. But, it was a great time of blessings and refreshing for me. Now I only have to wait eleven-and-a-half months before I get to go back.

More pix from Lexington

So, here I am, standing in the pulpit at Main Street Baptist Church in Lexington. As I've mentioned before, this church has a long, rich history and it sits on land that was originally owned by Mary Todd's family. After her marriage to Abraham Lincoln and eventual death, the land was bequeathed for the purpose of erecting a church. It was an honor to stand in that pulpit and declare God's sovereign grace in such a grand, historic setting.



These three smiling mugs are, from left to right, Elder G.M. Spotts from Chattanooga, myself and my dear friend David Morris.



And finally, this is Elder Barney Johnson and me. This picture was taken very late Friday night at the post-conference dinner for ministers and their families. Both Barney and I were ready to fall down; hence the rather forced grin on my face.

Thanks to my daughter Megan for her excellent photographic skills!

As promised, here is the first photo from the conference. From left to right, that's your's truly (still in my early morning shades), David Morris, Bo Hammock and Elder Ward. Several times during the conference, Bo and I were confused for one another. Two years ago, after Bo had preached, a woman came up the aisle and wrapped her arms around me, saying how much she had enjoyed my message. I explained, "No, ma'am. That's the other bald, white preacher."

These are my good friends and now you can put faces with some of the names.

Lexington Sovereign Grace Conference

So, I went away for a few days and suddenly everything on my blog changed. Jeff (our erstwhile webmaster) created this newer, better blog for me where I can actually include hyperlinks and pictures. It's very cool and I'm just learning to use it.

Thank you all for the prayers and moral support this past week. As you'll hear in the Sunday morning message, things did not go as we had planned. But, by God's good providence, they went even better. I learned yet another lesson in trusting God to work things out according to His will. We need to trust that He knows what He is doing and just let Him do it. I mean, after all, He's going to do it His way regardless. We might as well rest in His will. That's much less stressful.

So, rather than preach on Tuesday morning, I spoke Friday morning. I'm very thankful to Elder Ward and the people at Main Street Baptist Church in Lexington, KY. for their warmth, generosity, and patience with my schedule changes. It truly is a wonderful church.

The message was recorded and is available on the "listen" archive of the GCA site. Or you can just click here to download it or listen to streaming audio:

Click here

Thanks again for your patience during my absence. Thank you for your prayers. They were answered by our Sovereign Lord and King in a way that truly humbles me. Thanks for ... well, for being YOU!

I'll try to post pictures here soon (when I figure out HOW). :-)

More Romans

Hey, look! I've managed to get another piece of the Romans series transferred and it's currently available for listening or downloading by clicking on the "Listen" link and scrolling down to the Romans messages. The new message is "R37 - Hosea & Romans 9."

Little by little, bit by bit, we're making it through that wonderful epistle. Enjoy!