Miranda and I are flying out today at 5:45pm. We’re headed to the Desiring God in Minneapolis. I’m stoked about this conference, for a number of reasons:
- It’s not going to be flashy. The past few conferences I’ve been to have been mainly about entertainment instead of the Gospel. I couldn’t stand it. Not naming any names, but if you’re headed to Atlanta in a few days, I’m sorry….
- It’s going to be on an issue that hits home. This year’s conference is about words. Using words to glorify Christ. It’s an issue I struggle with (yes, pastors struggle). I make many coarse jokes. I belittle people closest to me. I wrestle with how to provide a clearer picture of Jesus to the people I teach. All of these things are going to be brought up and taught at the conference. If nothing else, it will at least bring the topics to the forefront of my mind.
- It’s in Minneapolis. A major city I’ve never been to. I love traveling, especially with my woman. It’s probably our favorite thing to do together. No family, no friends, no enemies, no church stuff, no work. Just she and I. Relaxing and unwinding while taking in different cultures and places.
- Miranda gets to fly for the first time. I’m really anxious to do this with her. She and I have been together for a little while now, and there’s been a lot of things that she’s never done that I’ve had the joy of introducing her to. This should be a fun one.
- The church goes on without me. Echo Groups, Sunday morning, the whole shebang. This is the first Sunday that there will be multiple Echo Groups and a Sunday am gathering without either Miranda or myself. I’m delighted in the leaders that God is raising up in our church, and the community that is forming. From Proctor and Beamon to hosting the Echo Groups to the Vicks’ leading in my absence, to Justin preaching on Sunday morning, it’s awesome to see the vision spread.
To give you a glimpse of the fun this weekend, here’s a little video from Desiring God on using words to the glory of Christ (beware, rated-R language):