Thoughts from Montana

I have enjoyed attending the Reformation Montana conference this week in Great Falls.  In addition to hearing notable preachers such as Paul Washer and Phil Johnson today, I also got to hear my younger brother, Jordan, preach alongside them.  (If you know Jordan, you know he held his own.)  In fact, Jordan is the primary founder of RM, and one of the main organizers of the conference.  The conference itself has been a huge success with over 300 people registered from several different states, many of whom drove several hours to attend.  While I am a little bit of a duck out of water with this crowd (I'm not a five point Calvinist) I have very much enjoyed the fellowship and have gotten to meet some great guys.

This afternoon I had some free time and drove 30 minutes into the mountains, along the upper Missouri River where it has the qualities of a wild, mountain stream.  Beautiful.  The mountains definitely proclaim the majesty and glory of God.  Did my soul well.

Flying home tomorrow. As much as I've enjoyed my time here, I miss my family.  Also, it is COLD here!  I am ready to return to the hot and humid Ozarks.  Good night from Montana.

Expect Great Things, Attempt Great Things

This week I got to hear Michael Catt speak at a luncheon.  Catt is the pastor of Sherwood Baptist Church in Georgia, the church that produced "Facing the Giants," "Fireproof," and "Courageous."  The story of how these movies came to be has always impressed me.  As I understand the story, Catt was with his staff at a retreat and posed this question to them, "If you could do anything for God, and resources weren't an issue, what would it be?"  (I may not have that exactly right, but that was the gist of it.)  One of his staffers said, "I would make Christian films."  Catt asked, "Why can't you?"  Catt and Sherwood Baptist helped make the staffer's dream a reality and the rest, as they say, is history.

Pastor, are you encouraging your people (and staff) to dream big dreams for God?  Are you helping them accomplish the vision God has put in their heart?

Church, are you giving your leadership the freedom to lead you in new and daring things?  Even risky things?  Remember, we walk by faith and not by sight.  If we never do anything that requires us to depend on God in faith, we're not living as God wants us to live.  That goes for churches, as well as individuals.

What was the last great thing your church attempted for God?  When was the last time your church looked at each other and said, "This is crazy.  If God doesn't bless this, we're sunk!"  Who ever heard of a Baptist church making major motion pictures?

We serve a great God who dares us to live boldly by faith.  Expect great things, attempt great things.