Thanks to those of you who e-mailed to let me know that you were/had been praying for all of us at Christ Church as we gathered together for this year's Reformation Conference. This conference is part of our quarterly CrossRoads equipping series - weekends designed to strengthen community and practically connect life and the gospel. Each weekend has a particular theme and this time around our focus was on the sufficiency of grace in our lives.
This was our sixth CrossRoads weekend and in my opinion it was our most 'successful.' Alan Carter, senior pastor at Faith Church in Birmingham, preached on Friday night, Saturday morning, and Sunday morning and preached three of the best sermons I've heard him preach - unfortunately, the audio recording demons have struck again and somehow all three sessions didn't record *insert bowling language*
Along with the main sessions, we also offered three separate breakout sessions connecting grace to relationships, generosity, and the local church. By the end of the weekend, we had spent over eight hours eating together, laughing together, sharing studies and opening the Scriptures to be reminded of the hope and mission that we have because of grace.
Our worship gathering on Sunday was one of, if not, the most powerful expressions of the presence of God in his grace and mercy to his people since I've been here at Christ Church. Good to know that grace isn't something you just talk about...
Last night I asked my wife if she had ever seen that painting you have attached to this post. I guessed that 70% of the homes I had been in growing up had this one or its counterpart. Anyway, I hadn't thought about it for awhile and don't know why I though of it then. I even thought about looking it up on the internet. Then, this morning I look at your blog and the very painting that popped in my head last night was there in front of me. Very strange.
Posted by: george | October 25, 2006 at 12:46 AM
George - I had never seen it until my sister-in-law gave me a print that's now framed above my desk. Your story is weird - too much pumpkin gooey cake in your system, I think.
Posted by: Matt Adair | October 25, 2006 at 05:34 PM
I realized that my initial comment may have been unclear - I asked my wife about it before Matt posted it.
Yes, the powers of pumkin are hard to tame.
That painting was required decor for CRC folks in western Michigan. I like that old guy, he seem like a wise, salt-of-the-earth kind of guy. The painting has a companion, a lady praying. I think she might be wearing a bonnet.
Posted by: george | October 25, 2006 at 06:13 PM
Shows how much I know, apparently it is a photograph (though the photographers daughter made oil painting of it).
http://www.gracebyenstrom.com/history.html
Posted by: george | October 25, 2006 at 06:19 PM
Having been at the service and the Reformation conference, I agree wholeheartedly with your positive assessment.
Praise God!
Posted by: Frank McKinley | October 26, 2006 at 08:04 AM