T4G Thoughts - Day #2

O for a thousand tongues to sing
My great Redeemer’s praise,
The glories of my God and King,
The triumphs of His grace!

Day #2 was off to a good start. Thabiti Anyabwile started us off with engaging culture: His passage, Col 1:24 to the end of Col 2. He said some powerful things, that makes you stop and think. Are we captive to Christ or the world? The world is not neutral! Whose side are we playing for?

Afterwards we ventured into the T4G bookstore. It was crazy! So many people looking for books to purchase. I found a couple (Pastor Scott gave me some, too) and I lined up to purchase. Unfortunately, there was no time to buy it at that moment, and we decided to come back after MacArthur's session.

MacArthur had an interesting session on the theology of sleep. Mark 4. When I look at certain theological giants, I am amazed at their understanding and insight into Scripture. 40 years of service! 40 YEARS! Incredible. He had a take on Mark 6 I never heard before, so it was refreshing...need to muse over it more. His take was that the disciples had no insight from the feeding of the 25,000 (5,000 men + [not counted: women and children]). But, they realized "You are God's Son" during the calm of the storm. Jesus prays in between, so at that moment... the disciples were reborn through God's opening of their heart.

Lunch time! I texted my friend so he would meet up with us. We went to Chick-Fil-A. It was awesome! The owner of the chain of restaurants is Christian! Two points, it is amazing how much my friend has grown in God while at seminary these past three years. The second, a server at Chick-Fil-A talked with us for a bit. People in the US are so friendly!

Following lunch, we headed back to the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. I bought a Spurgeon boggle head! Other than that, nothing spectacular to report there. The school is awesome, Al Mohler does a good job as President. I would have to comment it was a little weird to find Joyce Meyers in their book store. Really question the discernment on that one... unless it is a "let's practice spiritual discernment on this material!".

I decided to skip the breakout session and just relax in the hotel room. Spent some time chatting with the others and reading "The Discipline of Grace" - Jerry Bridges. I recommend the book. I find myself slipping between the guilt of the burden of my sin and Pharisaical self-righteousness. My hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus Christ's righteousness!

Finally, John Piper's session. It was spectacular. Did Jesus preach Paul's gospel? We can answer resoundingly yes! Luke 17-18 has justification by faith alone in Christ alone woven into the passage! At the end of his sermon, there was this moving of the Spirit within the crowd. It is unexplainable. God uses these preachers so mightily, it is astounding! I am praying that God reveals how He will use me, especially with my contract ending.

Evening came, and we tried to teach our pastor how to play Bang! The Bullet. It was hilarious, because it was down to Felix - the renegade, Pastor Scott - the deputy, and Kevin as the Sheriff. Throughout the entire game, Scott was telling us he was the deputy... and no one believed him! So he ended up dying, and once all was revealed... all of us were laughing for a good 10 minutes.

Sigh, good times.