Good Morning God's Beloved From Cloverdale Baptist Church:
Was a privilege to join you on Sunday in Toronto by livestream and hear us worship God faithfully and enjoy God's Word preached. Missed being with you, but rejoiced that we have this ministry so thank you to all who help put it together. It is a joy and privilege to belong to God's family at Cloverdale Baptist Church.
The trip here was not a fun trip (if you think these emails are to long, go to the next paragraph). Left Saturday morning...to Toronto, then got on a plane, got off a plane, got back on a plane, and got off a plane. The problem with spending hours on a plane that is not going anywhere is that you don't get anywhere. To make matters worse...they left my luggage outside in the snow and rain for a few hours, while I waited for it inside warm and dry....Sunday morning at 4 am, I was finally in a hotel in Toronto rebooking my flight. It left at 6 pm Sunday, so was happy to get back to the airport the next day, but now a new problem...my Nexus was not connected to my passport...so...I spent some time with some nice border guards before they graciously let me continue my trip. Funny enough I had cleared customs the day before in Vancouver, but had to go through Canadian customs in Toronto to get back into Canada from Canada...make sense of that. Thankfully it all worked out, so after flying backwards to Minneapolis, spending a few minutes there, getting on another plane, we arrived safely in Indy. Missed the pre-conference sermons, so looking forward to listening to that later online. This year Canadian council members have access to the speakers lounge and meals with the TGC world, so that has been a real privilege and fun as well.
Today is April 3. This is my 32 year dating anniversary. Good to remember and celebrate dates. Our first date was to 7-11 in Moose Jaw and back. Not really a great place to take a girl on your first date. We were in Lori's Fire Bird, and with 3 other friends, so the company was good, and the car was great, but most special by far is what that first date has led to with my family. So Lori, from Indy, Happy Anniversary, and if I was home with you, would take you to 7-11 as a reminder that although I am not as romantic as I would like to be I am more romantic than I was. Instead of our three friends we could take our four boys, and in God's grace, anticipate many more dates.
Loyal preaching always comes before revival, and to be here with thousands of other preachers, hearing great preaching and discussing the things of God, and spending time together praising Him is a delight. Pray for TGC, and the many here, that we would be those who are fully devoted to Him. This years conference theme is on building a culture of evangelism, of overflowing the Gospel into every day life. You can listen to the sermons online livestream (today is last day), and they will be online in a few days. I think worth your time if you grow through listening online.
I represented BC TGC on Monday night at the Canadian TGC gathering, and we had a wonderful time of praise and prayer for our great nation! Was a privilege to share about what God is doing and what we long for Him to do. Also shared about our Cloverdale Baptist Women's Retreat...make sure to sign up and come, it is a privilege to have the quality of people we are having! I did get booed a little when I made fun of the Maple Leafs, but was worth it as we Canuck fans anticipate a great year to come.
I am looking forward to getting home, and back with my family and church family as we prepare to celebrate with special focus our Lord's death, burial and resurrection.
We are continuing our series that focuses on who Jesus is, and will be beginning this season in John 15 to look at Jesus declaration, "I AM THE TRUE VINE". This season is an opportunity for us as a church to grow deeper in intimacy and wider in impact and I can't think of a better place to begin than John 15.
Sunday Is Coming:
Text: John 15:1-11
Title: I AM THE TRUE VINE
- Why is it so important to know who Jesus claimed to be?
- How do the great I AM statements help us with that?
- How does John 15 show us the intimacy of a believers relationship with Jesus?
We will spend the next few weeks in this great passage, and I would encourage you to read through it every day as you begin your day, and choose to ABIDE in Him with all that we learn that this means.
Looking forward to getting home...
DON'T FORGET YOUR BOOKS FOR NOTES AND GROWTH
From Indy with anticipation of getting home and going to 7-11 with Lori,
Pastor Rob