Random Thoughts

• Been a while since I've blogged. It always annoys me when I think about how long it's been since I've blogged.
• I'm going to Chicago for The Gospel Coalition Conference in roughly 2 weeks. I absolutely cannot wait. It's going to be amazing. How could it not be? Some of the featured speakers are John Piper, D.A. Carson, Tim Keller, and Mark Driscoll... I know. Amazing. I can already imagine the feeling of inadequacy that I will feel being in the same room with those guys. Trey and I are pumped. I'm really glad Trey is going with me. It'll be good to spend some time with him. I always appreciate talking about spiritual things with him. He's very wise and I just generally enjoy hanging out with him.
• Also, I'm very excited to get to spend some time with Johnny Grimes (Lead Pastor of Branch Life Church in Birmingham) at the conference. We're on the same flight and I think we may be staying in the same hotel. I anticipate some great conversations...
• The youth group at Journey has really gotten a hold of my heart. I see so much potential in these kids. They have such a drive to grow in their relationships with the Lord and I see a genuine hunger for the Lord. I pray that I can continue to be a part of their lives. It is such a blessing to my life.
• I just finished Mark Driscoll's Death By Love. It was a fine book. It really helped you see the application of Jesus' death on the cross in real-life situations. I definitely recommend it. I'm so glad I read it before Easter. It is no doubt shaping the way I think about the death of Jesus.
• Good Friday is this Friday. I am greatly looking forward to spending it at my home church with my family. I am spending a significant time this week focusing on the depth of my sin and the punishment that I deserve for it. Friday will be a day of indescribable gratitude and deep appreciation for God sending His only Son, Jesus Christ, to take on the sin and shame of all believers to reconcile them to Himself. I pray this Good Friday will be a milestone in my life. I want to truly grasp Jesus' death and all that it accomplished more than I ever have.
• Sunday is Easter. Much like Good Friday, I am praying that Sunday will be a day of celebration. I hope I will grasp all that is Easter on a deeper level than I ever have. I cannot wait to celebrate the death of death. I cannot wait to lead the Believers at Journey Church in Auburn as we proclaim Jesus' victory over sin and shame. It's going to be amazing.
• I have been spending a lot of time studying John 1 over the past week or so and it has been INCREDIBLE! I have never 'gotten' it like I have been over the past week. It's a very beautiful and poetic passage. You should definitely check it out.
• I will try to blog as often as I can over the next week or so. Keep checking in. Sorry I've been so inconsistent lately. I'm trying to get back into a routine.

Grace and peace to my brothers and sisters!