Finally...

I'm FINALLY posting an update about the conference this weekend. On an overall note, I was COMPLETELY and TOTALLY blessed!!  So, I figured it's probably best to break it up by the sessions, since that's obviously how I took notes.

Friday: Stuart Greeves

The message was titled "A Call to Focused Abandonment." First of all, how could you not love that title?!?! Secondly, this is everything I've been seeking. So, I was hooked from the very first words that left his mouth. I was SUPER excited to see what he had to say. The message started with Isaiah 60 and focused on the idea of being immersed in the glory of God. Greeves said that the key to transformation lies within the glory of God, and it is in the midst of crisis that the glory of God will rise.

Greeves then threw out a few other scriptures: Joel 2:11, John 14:12, and Revelation 9:21. He then moved in Isaiah 41 where he talked about how the biggest battle is the human heart. People say self-discipline and self-determination will be able to get them through the hard times; however, Greeves says these two things WILL NOT save us in this dark hour. We, as Christians, should feel differently just as Jacob did because we glorify God and experience the beautiful vibrancy of it. We, as Christians, should gives ourselves to experience the glory and beauty of God because it fulfills our every desire.

Greeves went on to talk about how the term "one thing" appears three times in the Bible:

• Psalm 27:4 - to dwell in the house of the Lord forever
• Luke 10:42 - to humbly serve Jesus (in reference to Mary washing the feet of Jesus)
• Philippians 3:13-14 - the pursuit of desire

Greeves used Philippians 3:13-14 to lead into his next topic of desire being defined, which he used Psalm 90 as his focus. Our deepest desire should be to be satisfied by God's glory and beauty. The reward of everything is being consumed with God's glory. God's coming back for a church that longs for Him. We NEED to desire God the way He desires us. The Lord enjoys us in our weaknesses because we press in to know Him; He sees the longing of our heart. (Hmmm....this reminds me of what Chan said in chapter 2 of Crazy Love). Greeves ended by saying that reaching for God is a call to action, a call to give ourselves in daily praying, fasting, regular volunteering. It positions our heart to receive MORE of God.

Saturday (afternoon session...I missed the morning because of class): Stuart Greeves and Wes Martin

Stuart Greeves began by talking about God's mercy. He focused on Isaiah 63, but similar to last night, threw out many verses that related to God's mercy: Psalm 4:1, Psalm 5:7, Psalm 6:2, Psalm 6:4, Psalm 56:1, Psalm 89:28, Psalm 90:14, and Deuteronomy 4:31.  Greeves stated there are three false assumptions that appear in the church:

• The cross appeased the wrath of God.
• God changed His attitude towards humanity after the cross.
• There is no continuity between the Old Testament and New Testament.

He then linked it to God's judgement. Greeves said it's a topic that is overlooked because the church "accepts theology that doesn't bother us in the present." How TRUE?!?!?! At this point, he referenced Ezekiel 14:22 and Isaiah 26:9. Greeves pointed out that when it comes to judgement not every natural disaster or crisis is a judgement of God. God does nothing without revealing it to His prophets. We, as the church, need not to pray for God's judgement but ask/appeal for His mercy. God uses the least severe means to reach the greatest amount of people at the deepest level of love without violating anyone's free will. Jesus isn't a humble boyfriend; HE'S THE BRIDEGROOM. HE HAS ZEAL!

Wes Martin followed up Stuart Greeves by talking about how we have to have discernment. He focused on how Jesus gives the signs of His return in Mathew 24. With this, he referenced Isaiah 40: 5, 2 Timothy 4:3, Luke 17:34, Luke 17:37, and Revelation 19. We, as the church, need to have a heart of preparation! We need to know what God has to say in order to prepare: 1 Thessalonians 4 & 5, 2 Thessalonians 1 & 2, and Revelation.

Saturday (evening session): Lou Engel

Lou Engel focused his message around Psalm 50:1-15. He focused on the heart of The Call and why it is so essential that we be ready for it on 11-11-11. Here are few points that I grabbed from his talk:

• When you pray, you go way beyond normalcy; you go way beyond your own ability.
• Without desperation, there is no prayer.
• Fasting always goes before restoration.
• Prophets are forged in the deserts of fasting, not the desserts of feasting.

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Overall, the conference was a WONDERFUL experience. I gained so much from it. It was such a great confirmation to everything I've been trying to focus on with my relationship with God. It also was a great parallel with Crazy Love by Francis Chan. It was definitely perfect timing, and I'm honored that God allowed me the opportunity to attend it.