Hey, guess what…I wrote this blog last Friday and somehow quickly sent into cyber-limbo somehow. I tried to find and retrieve it, to no avail (big surprise) but somehow today it just showed up as an email…so it’s Monday afternoon and here’s last Friday’s blog.

It’s 3 o’clock Friday afternoon, and we just settled down after the completion of the first Advancing the Church conference. I am, along with many others, almost completely exhausted. The conference was filled with great preaching, great conversations, renewed friendships, and new friendships. Harking back to our 15 years of Leadership Conference, we have never had a conference where the challenging, sharpening, and edifying conversations were so many, so “non-stop”, so long, and so profoundly profitable. The spirit of the meeting was palpably enthusiastic and warm. Singing together with such a great group of men (and a few ladies) was predictably powerful and passionate. Just one man’s opinion…it was a great time, a really great time.

I really do want to thank all (so very many) who worked so hard in preparation and execution of the program, the other speakers who were impeccably prepared, passionate, articulate, Biblical, and practical in the treatment and application of the scriptures, and the many men and women who came and cordially engaged in discussion inside and outside of scheduled sessions. We left FULL, very full, and encouraged in our ongoing service to Christ and His church. Wow….am I tired….am I encouraged…wow.

This Sunday we are getting close to the end of our “What is Truth?” series. Our focus will be “What does the Bible really have to say about the use of alcohol?” Yep, this should be interesting, if nothing else! See you there, Lord willing.

In Him,

P.Tim

Last week as I was writing this blog, I got to the point when I mentioned Frank, Stephanie, and the kids moving to the Chicago area. Actually up to that point, I knew this was going to be a painful parting, but was pretty much keeping it together. Well, at that point and for the next few days I became a “weepy mess” about it all. That’s one of the few “downsides” to love…leaving hurts. When you greatly love, it greatly hurts. I also mentioned the great joy of a dear friend moving ever so close to trusting Christ. Well sometime between Friday afternoon and Saturday morning, she went from almost to altogether a true sister in Christ. It was glorious. There is nothing like seeing someone’s eyes open wide to the wonder of God’s great saving grace. It was, it is amazing. So, I was even more of a weepy mess.

This week (Lord willing) begins with a special missions emphasis Sunday. Our missionaries Bruce Burkholder and Robert Metz will be speaking and we will be having lunch together in between services. Then we begin our first Advancing the Church conference of Tuesday afternoon. I’m very excited about the speakers, the topics, and the great opportunity for true fellowship. I am prayerfully expecting to be convicted, encouraged, informed, sharpened, and transformed by the preaching of God’s Word and the personal fellowship with those who attend. I’m always nervous ahead of time contemplating all of the things that “could” happen, but deeply excited as I anticipate God’s blessing. I do hope to see you this week sometime.

Have a great week in the Lord,

In Him,

P.Tim

So, it’s been a little while. In my “business” year, this is the conference season. So, while I don’t travel very often, this time of year is a bit busy. Last week I spoke at Heart Conference in balmy Dunbar, Wisconsin. I got home and immediately left for our Senior High Winter Weekend at camp. We had a great time. There was snow and a lot of ice. There was a great group of young people there and we had a great time around the Word. I got back late Saturday night, preached Sunday, had team meetings Monday morning, then left for a college and seminary administrator’s meeting in Clearwater, Florida. The weather was a bit nicer than Dunbar. I got back early Wednesday evening and hit the ground running. So, it’s been a bit crazy. Right now there seems to be a calm before the storm, a good storm, with the Advancing the Church conference coming up really quickly. It brings a lot of excitement and pressure, but I’m really looking forward to it. So, right now I’m trying to catch my breath and remember what I’ve forgotten to do.

In all of this running around God blessed me with some great times of study in His Word, some great fellowship (iron sharpening iron) with great friends, a little time with our son Stephen at Clearwater, and some wonderful opportunities to share the gospel. Last night we had a glorious time sharing the gospel with a dear friend who moved ever so close to trusting Christ. It was, it is exciting. Oh, and in all of this…this Sunday is Frank and Stephanie’s (and there four deeply loved children!) last Sunday. Sunday night is their farewell service and reception. Then at the end of the week, they move. My heart is breaking even as I write this…BUT God is good. This is God’s doing. It’s a great blessing for them and the church in Chicago. So, here we go. See you Sunday, Lord willing.

In Him,

P. Tim