Sunday, July 17, 2011

Is it mid-July already?

It’s hard to believe that 2011 is halfway done already. Right now I’m enduring a hot, humid July evening at home—hot and humid not only because the heat index was around 100 degrees today, but because our air conditioning system decided to quit working this afternoon. I’ll be calling the repairman first thing in the morning.

It has been a while since I’ve blogged, because it’s been a while since I’ve felt like writing. If you think of it, pray for me and my family as we, like a multitude of others, go through financial difficulties (too much month at the end of the money). In spite of the stresses, I’m grateful for every blessing God sends our way, and I WILL rejoice in Him. Although financial situations change, God never changes, and He remains good toward us.

One of God’s blessings to my family this summer was the Annual Bible Conference sponsored by New Life Fellowship Church of Vernon Hills, IL. This year’s conference—“HIM We Proclaim: The Preeminence of Christ in the Book of Colossians”—was a real blessing to all who attended. The speakers, Pastors Thabiti Anyabwile, Anthony Carter and Reddit Andrews, were powerfully used by God as they delivered His word. Honestly, I think some of these messages quite possibly were among the best examples of biblical preaching that I have ever heard anywhere, by anyone—living or deceased—live or recorded. After hearing the preeminence of Christ expounded from Paul’s epistle to the Colossians, Christ seems more awesome and wonderful to me than ever before. I don’t think I’m alone in feeling that way.

Although it’s not the same as being there in person, you can hear the recordings of these messages online HERE at the website of New Life Fellowship Church. I encourage you to listen. My suggestion would be to block out an hour or so of undistracted time, have a Bible ready, and prayerfully listen to the word of God.

It was also my privilege to once again lead singing for the Conference. My hunch is that there are very few Reformed Bible Conferences found anywhere on this planet where you can have the opportunity to sing good, ol’, down-home songs from the African-American Christian tradition like this:



Or hear soloists like this:



You will only find this kind of music (along with the powerful and rock-solid proclamation of the word of God) at the New Life Bible Conference. I hope this whets your appetite to consider attending NEXT YEAR.

Oh, and by the way: Registration is FREE.

The Lord willing, I’ll see you next June, here in Illinois.