Larry

 

Memory Journey Day 13 - 16
Location: Odessa, Texas

 

 

Wes and I spent the day getting the room and equipment set up for the conference.

 

We appeared on the Midday News Magazine for CBS7 in Odessa to promote the conference and the book. 

It was a great experience.

 

We kicked off the first SecondWind Conference with a dessert fellowship and the introductory session.

 

The participants were excited about the conference and it was a joy to be with them.

 

 ~~~
Day 15 (Saturday, July 8, 2006) –

 

SecondWind Conference, sponsored by Immanuel Baptist Church, Odessa, Texas.

 

 

We had a wonderful experience together at the first SecondWind Conference. I am at a loss for words to express what I observed; I will try at a future date. All participants were very engaged and I think they “Got it.”

 

 

It was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

 

 

Excerpt from the book and the conference:

 

It's all about you.

 

In the amazing book,
The Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren begins the first chapter with the phrase,
"It's not about you."

 

He's right. From our perspective:
It’s all about God.

 

 

But from God's perspective,
it's all about me.

 

He loves me as if there is no one else to love.

 

God is the author of my life.
He is a masterful storyteller.
God has wonders for me to observe.
He has jokes and humorous tales which will create laughter and joy.
He has emotional stories which will stir hearts and cause a tear to fall.
He has amazing adventures, dramas and mysteries, which will astound and amaze.
All told through my personal journey and written on the pages of time.

 

God reveals Himself and His Truth so clearly,
so obscurely,
so quickly,
so slowly,
sometimes with a faint whisper,
sometimes with a deafening yell.

 

As I walk the pathway in this pilgrimage to know Him,
I must record His story through my story.

 

You have a story to tell  and you have a responsibility to pass your story of faith on to future generations.
It is not good enough for one generation to experience God's power; we must pass it on to the next generation.

 

You have a story to tell! It is not good enough for one generation to experience God's power; we must pass it on to the next generation.
When we fail to pass the fire on to our children it dies out in us and in the next generation.

 

 

Another generation grew up, who knew neither the LORD nor what he had done for Israel. (Judges 2:10 NIV)

 

 

What a responsibility!

 

What an opportunity!

 

 

God is not through with you at any age.

 

 

Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come. Psalm 71:18

 

 

 

I am more convinced than ever that God is preparing the way for a ministry to adults over 50. I don’t know how or when, yet. But I do know that this “movement” has begun.

 

 

 

 

 

~~~
Day 16 (Sunday, July 9, 2006) My Birthday! -

 

Sunday morning I was given the opportunity to preach the morning message at Immanuel Baptist Church in Odessa, Texas.

 

www.ibc4life.com

 

I enjoyed a congregation engaged in and receptive to the message. Although my brother, Wes, has been in ministry for at least 15 years, this was the first time we led a worship time together.

 

 

We joined Gary and Beckey Wolfe for the evening service at the Cavern Baptist Church in Carlsbad, NM. Gary is Pastor and Beckey leads the worship time. Although small in numbers this is a church big in spirit. I enjoyed the fellowship with this great congregation.

 

Beckey was my Accounts Payable Specialist at Southwestern Seminary in the late 80’s. Our two families enjoyed fellowship often.
Friends are truly friends forever when the Lord is Lord of them.

 

After church we were able to catch up on the last 16 years. Gary is Bi-vocational working sometimes 60 hours a week at his job then all that is required of a pastor. Gary, by the way, is a great pastor.

 

Pray for these two churches. Although very different in structure and size. They have the same mission.