Monday, May 12, 2008

Just Outside of Cleveland

I am posting from just outside of Cleveland. I travelled here with a bunch of ministry friends for the Basics Conference at Parkside Church. What a blessing already and it has just barely gotten started.

Alistair Begg is the pastor at Parkside and a wonderful host. Plus he has that cool accent us Yanks just love. The music is being led by Keith and Kristyn Getty. If you don't know their music you must find it...now. They are so gifted and have provided the church with a wealth of modern, Christ-centered hymns. I thought as we sang tonight, every church in America should be singing these hymns. I know that is painful for those who are clutching the old red hymnbook with white knuckles. Those who haven't been introduced to these hymns are missing a real blessing. (step down from soap box)

Today we heard Jerry Bridges who is a gifted writer and minister. He shared his heart sticking close to the conference theme: Preaching the Gospel to Yourself. This is a phrase that Bridges sort of coined in one of his books several years ago. He admits that he heard the phrase in a sermon years ago.

This evening Voddie Baucham had a great sermon from 2 Timothy. He focused on the two prong message from Paul to Timothy: Preach the gospel and be prepared to suffer for it. Good stuff.

The close of the evening was a wonderful mini-concert by the Gettys as they rolled out a brand new hymn, 'Let The Creation Rejoice' (not exactly sure if that's the title). Really good stuff.

Will post more as time permits. Cleveland Rocks!

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Glad you're having such a great time, Jon. Wish I could be there.

Jon Cyrus said...

You are missed. Crowd of about 650 this year. Solid, solid preaching.