Winter Conference 2011

I almost didn't go because of the hassle and guilt of missing work, but I sucked it up. I'm so glad I went. It was refreshing and lovely time. Most of the talks were good, and the Holy Spirit was at work making sure I heard the words that were for me. Some ideas that really impacted me: the importance of the liturgical calendar shaping my identity as a believer vs. the secular defining me as a consumer. I now want to read Living the Christian Year by Bobby Gross. The talk was by a Regent grad. His argument was extremely compelling.

The lady on following God's will had some good one liners: "You can't out dream God" and "the cost of obedience is high, but the cost of disobedience is always higher." Sadly, I know exactly of what she speaks.

Then, I was reminded to be "expectant" not in a prosperity gospel kind of way, but in a God is good and powerful AND personal. Expect God to be at work in your life and future. Expect him to use you. Expect him to meet you.

I heard Jeremiah 6:16 preached. I love that verse: "This is what the LORD says: "Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, 'We will not walk in it.'" In this sermon, I was reminded to pray-- not read about praying or talk about praying or think about praying... but praying. Clearly, he knew his audience.

Len Sweet was there. His ideas on how to share the gospel were thought-provoking and helpful: story and relationship. And, there was a talk on the theology of technology. What struck me in his ideas: the conflation of time and space in facebook and blogs etc. Technology does mold our perception.

Most importantly, I went to "Soaking Prayer" and a "ministry of power" service. I did feel the Holy Spirit. It gave me insight into Pentecostals. I've never been at a church that's done that kind of thing before. It was awesome.

I met some really nifty people and saw some people that I went to school with a long time ago.

And, I stayed with my uncle and cousin. I had a really good visit with my uncle.