Resolved Conference (Reflections) (02/20/07 - 35 Comments)
Well, I made it home. Our flight was delayed for a few hours while the ground crew changed one of the plane's tires but we eventually climbed aboard and made our way home. In retrospect, taking the red-eye home was probably a bad idea. But at least I got home and am back with my family, even if I am dog tired! I really enjoyed the Resolved Conference. It was far different from the other...
Resolved Conference (IX) (02/19/07 - 10 Comments)
Rick Holland kicked off the final session by introducing John Piper as a man who has emphasized church history and a teacher who stands between two worlds, the historical world and our contemporary world. The Resolved organizers asked him to provide a historical address based on a figure from church history. And, of course, Jonathan Edwards was the obvious choice. Piper began by completing his address from the night before since he had forgotten the...
Resolved Conference (VII) (02/19/07 - 1 Comments)
And this brings us to the final day of the Resolved Conference. For his text he took 1 Corinthians 4:6-13 with the title "Deflating the Puffed Up Church." After reading the text he said that it is possible that the Corinthians did not understand Paul's intent in these verses. This was a proud church and their pride was pronounced and not at all subtle. They were proud of their spirituality and their gifting but they...
Resolved Conference (VII) (02/19/07 - 13 Comments)
Yesterday, after preaching twice at his church in Minneapolis, Minnesota, John Piper caught a flight down to Los Angeles and preached a different sermon for us. That is dedication. He spoke one what is one of his favorite recent topics: God is the Gospel. I have heard him speak on this a few times now and have also read his book by the same title. And yet, strangely, I still have trouble digesting it all....
Resolved Conference (VI) (02/18/07 - 4 Comments)
It struck me today just how amazing it is that 3,000 young people would gather here over a holiday weekend. They have come not just to hear speakers or preachers, but to hear expositors. These people have gathered to hear nine expository sermons and to listen to a panel discussion featuring a bunch of old(er) guys. And what's most amazing is that these young people seem to be relishing every moment. It's amazing to me....
Resolved Conference (V) (02/18/07 - 2 Comments)
Day three of the Resolved Conference began much the same as the first two days. We sang some songs and got right to the sessions. The first session featured C.J. Mahaney speaking on Isaiah 53 and The Suffering Servant. He began by recounting the plot of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and ended the brief summary with a question Susan asked after encountering the resurrected Aslan: "What does it all mean?" A more...
Resolved Conference (IV) (02/17/07 - 1 Comments)
This evening's session began with Rick Holland reminding the audience of a young man named Ryan Gay. Ryan had wanted to attend Resolved last year but was unable to as he was diagnosed with leukemia just a day or two before the conference began. Last year Holland called him from the stage during the conference and it was, by all accounts, an emotional and spiritual time. Tonight, a year later, Holland invited Ryan to the...
Resolved Conference (III) (02/17/07 - 8 Comments)
John MacArthur spoke at the second session of the day. He began by commenting on the exuberant nature of the worship at this conference. He seemed glad that people are worshiping in a way that is heartfelt even if many are singing so loud that they have long since abandoned tone and pitch. But then he asked a sobering question: why is it that this exuberance does not also accompany our efforts at evangelism? We...
Resolved Conference (II) (02/17/07 - 5 Comments)
Day two of the Resolved Conference was prefaced by a very good sleep. I feel much more alive today, for which I'm very grateful. The conference began a little bit late as filling the auditorium seems to be taking quite a long time. Because the conference is at capacity, the organizers have to be certain that every seat has been filled. So they fill the place very deliberately and this translates, at least so far,...
Resolved Conference (02/16/07 - 16 Comments)
I began my day in the subzero temperatures of a frozen Canadian winter and ended it in balmy, eighty degree California. It has been almost twenty four hours since I woke up and my eyes are starting to do some weird twitchy thing that happens when I get over tired. I need to get to bed. But first a few reflections on the opening session of the Resolved Conference. First off, I am sitting at...
