Conference Photos 2008

Today I received a disk full of pictures from the conference from Mike. His photos were taken during the Wednesday daytime session. You can see them here ---

Mike's Conference Photos

Conference Messages Are Available!

Ever since I returned from Lexington, emails began showing up asking when the conference messages would be available. Andrew and I have been working as quickly as our fingers and digital processors will perform in order to get them posted. And the first batch is now available on the conference website. More will be appearing in the days ahead. Be patient -- these things take time.

But you can hear the first available messages here:

http://www.sovereigngracebibleconference.org/messages.asp

Also, my conference message is available via the GCA website and can be heard here:

http://www.salvationbygrace.org/

Just scroll down on the main page and after the Sunday and Wednesday weekly messages you'll find "By Grace Are You Saved."

Enjoy!

And suddenly, we were back home ...

I tell ya, there's just no way to stop time from rushing forward. I've been home from Conference for a week and still haven't had time to post anything on the blog about it. I need to go back to working two jobs; it seemed I was more rested back in those days. :-)

Anyway, the 2008 Sovereign Grace Bible Conference went better than anyone could have predicted. To quote Elder Spotts, "God has kissed this conference." We all arrived a little off-balance and tenuous, wondering how things would go without Elder Ward at the center of it all. As it turns out, everything went terrifically. The preaching was solid, the teaching was spot-on, the music was lively-as-ever, and the fellowship was superb. We really couldn't have asked for much more.

One of the most gratifying aspects of this year's conference was how cooperatively the preachers worked to guarantee that the conference would continue long into the future. I mean, we're baptist preachers because we all have a rather fierce independent streak. But, when the elders gathered twice this week to discuss the business at hand, there was a tremendous spirit of unity and solidarity of purpose. So, by God's grace, next year we'll gather for the 26th anniversary.

Andrew and I have been working diligently on converting the messages to mp3 (as well as constructing video clips) for the conference website. You should start seeing those additions very soon. You can visit the conference site here:

www.sovereigngracebibleconference.org

And, just for fun, I dropped a video on YouTube this week. As you may recall, I was tapped to play drums last year and, after years of letting the dust settle on my sticks, I got up and pounded away like a man attempting to deny his besetting age. This year I came prepared. Although I was no more practiced, I brought my own stick bag. After adjusting a few cymbals, tuning a few drums, and moving things where I could see Michelle (the amazing organist), we were off and drumming. By Wednesday, it was actually fun ... although I did wake up daily with sore thumbs.

On Thursday evening, Barney asked me to sit-in with the youth choir and play along. Despite the fact that it was a medley of four songs with varying tempos and time signatures, and despite the fact that I had no rehearsal, I threw caution to the wind, positioned myself, watched Barney like a hawk, and grooved my way through the evening. For a moment there, I almost looked like a real drummer ... and Megan caught it on her video camera from the balcony.

Here's the video:

Next week, Main Street!

Well, it's nearly conference time. I was just watching the video Andrew and I compiled of the preachers from last year's gathering.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uB0-ZuYYT8I

The 25th Anniversary of the Sovereign Grace Conference gathers next week (Aug. 4-8, 2008) and, Lord willing, I'll be preaching during the morning session on Wednesday, Aug. 6. I'm really looking forward to it, but it will be bittersweet. The conference this year is dedicated to the memory of its founder, Elder D.J. Ward. Every time I've ever stood in that pulpit, I've been able to look to my right and see Elder sitting there, calling out encouragements, or rising to his feet to get close to the preaching and push the preacher to tell the whole truth. It will be strange not having him there.

But, it will also be a year of re-establishing our fellowship and commitment to the conference. I look forward to the many friends I only get to see when we gather this way. And I am truly anticipating the opportunity to sit and listen to the grace of God extolled by men much more skilled than myself.

So, if you can make, come by! There's no entrance fee and you'll be treated like family. And, if you do come visit, make sure to find me and say hello. I'll be the bald one. :-)

Oh, an remember to visit the conference website:

www.sovereigngracebibleconference.org

It's Nearly Conference Time!

As hard as it is to believe, another year has rushed past and it's nearly time to gather in Lexington, KY. for the 25th annual Sovereign Grace Bible Conference at Main Street Baptist Church. You can find all the details, including the preaching schedule, local hotels, mp3's from last year, registration info, and even T-shirts here:

http://www.sovereigngracebibleconference.org/


Lord willing, I'll be preaching Wednesday morning. This is my fourth year in the pulpit and, if Michelle needs me, my second year banging around on the drums. I always look forward to the first week in August because it not only promises to be a great week of teaching and gospel preaching, but it's an opportunity to gather with friends and brethren whom I simply do not get to see enough of. It's a time to refresh, rebuild, and be fed (both literally and spiritually).


Also, I want to once again thank Phil at Reformed Voices for his continued support of our efforts at GCA. He has linked to many of our preaching series and has even constructed a new banner that is as humbling as it is complimentary.

From left to right, that's Alistair Begg, C.H. Spurgeon, James White, John Piper, myself, John MacArthur, and Paul Washer. That's pretty heady company for any preacher to be associated with. But, it's a testimony to God's grace. His sovereignty and His power in salvation are still being preached, even if it's not published in the majority of pulpits in America. I'm just grateful to be included in this band of brothers.

You can visit Reformed Voices here:

http://www.reformedvoices.com/

Phil posts new material daily, so check back often!

Last thing -- for those of you who like to watch videos on YouTube (there are a few with redeeming qualities), you can now watch them in the highest resolution available through a nifty little trick (thanks Lane!). When you arrive at the video you want to watch, add this little code to the end of the URL that appears in the address bar: &fmt=18

You can copy and paste that bit of code from here if you don't want to type in the individual letters. After you've added that code, click Enter again and your video will start over, but it will be in nearly-high-definition. Very cool, especially when you're watching something with intensive graphics. Try it!

Back to Blogging

It's been a while since I logged into my blog and updated folk on our latest actitivy. Our regular listeners know that I underwent some medical procedures and needed a bit of recovery time. Everything's fine; it was just time to put my body in the shop, check out the internal organs, and stretch the old esophagus.

Ever since I was a child I've struggled with constrictions in my esophagus. I used to have great difficulty swallowing food and even chewed pills before gulping them down. 14 years ago I was sitting in a restaurant eating with my staff when I noticed that everyone else seemed to just force large pieces of good down their gullets while I was chewing every bit of lettuce into mush before I would dare swallow. Then, sure enough, I choked, which had become a regular occurance. When food would get caught in my esophagus there was always the uncomfortable struggle to see which direction it would ultimately head. On that particular occasion I excused myself to the bathroom, where I coughed and choked in an effort to dislodge the offending morsel. Ironically, the music blaring from the ceiling speaker was, "Jimmy. Oh, Jimmy. Oh, Jimmy Mac, when are you coming back?" It was the last straw.

A visit to the gastroenterologist proved that I had "webbings" in my esophagus. Small bits of tissue were forming and interlocking that restricted the free course of swallowing. And, being the sort of guy who believes that if you're going to do something you ought to do it right, I had not one, but two, of these webbings -- one high in my esophagus and the other at the opening of my stomach.

The procedure to lessen the constriction consists of stretching and pushing the offending tissue out of the way. And, having undergone the procedure yearly for nearly 14 years, I can confidently say that life is much better, eating is less stressful, and taking vitamins is less painful now that I've endured the stretching process.

The reason I bring all of this up is that I'm surprised how many people struggle with this affliction and don't know that their situation is abnormal. I mean, we all eat how we eat and we have no idea what it feels like to eat any differently than we do. So, some people continue to mash their food to a pulp before daring to swallow because they know they are likely to choke. But, there's help! Talk to your doctor. It seems that the more I talk about this, the more people come forward and admit, "Hey, I've had that problem for years. I just didn't know it could be adjusted."

Meanwhile, being the caring, sharing sort of dad I am, my daughter Megan inherited the constricting esophagus condition. So, two weeks ago she underwent her first procedure to push it open. It was a tough recovery because she was very constricted and has a condition called eosinophilic esophagitis. And during my procedure three days later, the doctor took a biopsy of one of my webbings to see why it keep returning. Turns out, I have the same condition. So, she and I are both on steroid sprays to keep the allergic reaction at bay and keep our throats healthy. Like father, like daughter. (Thanks, dad ... )

But, my interaction with the medical community was not quite finished. Ever since my surgery in 2001, blood tests began returning with "slightly elevated" liver enzyme counts. Months later, similar tests would come back normal. So, it was never a big deal; it was something the doctors "kept an eye on." Every once in a while, my family doctor of 19 years would say that I probably had a "fatty liver." But, since he seemed unworried by it, I followed his example. Still, whenever I tried on new pants, I would ask the kids, "Do these pants make my liver look fatty?"

Well, my new gastro is more aggressive and he decided that a liver biopsy was called for. So, this past Tuesday I visited an ultrasound lab where a technician viewed my innards and said everything looked just dandy -- except that my liver looked "fatty." He drew a Marks-A-Lot grid on my upper right quadrant with an "X" on the spot where the needle was going to pierce.

On Wednesday, Megan took me to the gastro's office for the actual liver-plucking event. I had read mulitple website articles and knew what to expect --- for the most part. The wait was exponentially longer than the actual procedure. Once they were ready to start, the anesthesiologist put a mild sedative in my IV and I got a bit swimmy-headed. As the doctor chatted about his morning signing up for jury duty, he stuck my side twice with doses of xylocaine and immediately sliced me with a scalpel. (Now, that's a quick-acting drug!) As I replied that the judge ought to let him off the jury, considering his patient load, I heard a spring-loaded snap and he said, "Okay, you're done." In all, it took about three minutes.

I felt slightly nauseated (probably from the sedative), but I was surprised how quick and easy the whole thing had been. After the procedure, the patient has to lay on his right side for two hours to stop any internal or external bleeding. I figured that was going to be the easy part. Park me in front of a TV and just let me lay there. But, the nurses seemed unduly concerned that I might have some pain. They were poised and ready when the anesthetic wore off. And, was I glad they were.

In the process of grabbing a bit of the liver, it's not uncommon to nick a nerve. And, as anyone with back trouble can tell you, a simple inflamed nerve can cause all sorts of painful reactions. I went from mildly comfortable to excruciating in seconds. Every muscle in my abdomen and back seized like a vice-grip. Fortunately, the staff was prepared for that eventuality and several minutes later I was sleeping under the spell of morphine.

The two hours on my side with sore, seizing muscles proved to be a real test of endurance. But, once I was able to roll to my back and sit up, things began to normalize. As I write this, it's Friday morning and the discomfort is localized to the area of the incision. Each day is less difficult and I'm looking forward to preaching on Sunday morning.

I want to take a moment to thank Len Prieskorn for leading our Wednesday night service in my absence. I'm grateful that the church body is able to meet and worship, even when I'm unable to attend. I left if up to Len and Tom to decide whether or not to record Len's teaching, but they opted not to. So, there's no new mp3 for the midweek lesson.

Thanks to everyone who looked in on us, fed us, called and wrote to make sure we were recovering. I must say, Megan is a real trooper. Not only did she endure her own procedure (and subsequent visit to the emergency room), but she squared her shoulders and committed herself to the task of taking care of her dad. I couldn't have done it without her.

So, that's the update. I'll get the final report next Thursday. I feel confident that I know what it will say. It's odd for a man my size and weight to have a fatty liver, but as I told the ultrasound tech, if this is my worst medical condition, I'm a very fortunate fellow.

I'm looking forward to getting back into the routine of teaching and writing. I'm very blessed to live in a time and a place where the art of medicine has advanced to the point where they can discover and cure so many ailments ... but, at the moment I've enjoyed as much of them as I can stand. :-)

Keep the emails coming! I always enjoy hearing from you all!

Email Me!

Once again, my love/hate relationship with computers hit a critical point.

On Monday (Memorial Day, 2008) we had terrible thunderstorms here in Middle Tennessee. I immediately turned off the computers and went through the house unplugging things like TV's and electronics equipment. But, the electricity never actually flickered or quit, so I failed to unplug the computers. Big error. When I tried to reboot my PC, it just sat there. It didn't light up, it didn't spin, it didn't even sputter.

Now, this was a mixed blessing. While I did not expect it to give up the ghost quite so soon, I had been in the market for a new computer. The old PC was functional, but hitting the edges of what it could do. And with newer, larger programs to run, the limitations were getting frustrating.

So, there I was, computer-less. I spent yesterday shopping and ended up with a new Mac Pro. VERY nice. GCA helped foot the bill, for which I am extremely grateful. But, when I brought it home and plugged it in, I discovered that my monitor was equally dead. So, off to BestBuys I went and now, finally, I am up and running in the digitial domain once again.

So, here's the deal. When the PC died, it took everything with it. While all my vital stuff is backed up (thankfully), things like my email address book and all the current writing projects disappeared.

IF YOU ARE EXPECTING AN EMAIL FROM ME IN RESPONSE TO SOMETHING YOU'VE WRITTEN IN THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS ---- I DON'T HAVE IT ANYMORE.

All my email disappeared. Even elongated responses that were being developed into Q&A's are gone. So, I'm starting fresh.

I do not have anyone's (and I mean ANY one's) email address. Yes, I have a couple memorized, but let's not assume that. If you are a friend or regular correspondent, please drop me a line so that I have your contact info.

Oh, and did I mention that I have a tree the size of New Jersey laying in my yard? That's minor compared to the damage some folk sustained. But, it's still going to be a major clean-up project.

So, that's the latest. Hopefully the new Mac will have a long, successful life and the new UPS (with surge protection) will keep it safe from harm.

Drop me a line!

Elder Ward's Memorial Services

I have just returned from Elder D. J. Ward's Memorial and Home-Going Services. The world seems a little emptier now.

Anyone who knows me knows that I counted Elder Ward as my friend, confidante, and pastor. I'll miss being able to pick up the phone and add new "Wardianisms" to my lexicon. He was a rare gift.

It was almost-exactly 8 years ago that Elder Ward and David Morris placed their hands on my head and officiated my ordination (May 5, 2000). I feel honored and grateful to have had a man like Elder in my life. His influence is far-reaching and undeniable. He is the man who, more than any other, taught me how to be a pastor.

Still, God is on His throne, doing whatever seems good to Him. Christ is still building His church and the gates of Hell have yet to prevail against it.

We probably will not see the likes of Elder Ward again on this planet, but "on that great gettin' up morning" we'll gather with him and all the saints around God's throne, praising our Lord for the wisdom and grace that led us, protected us, and blessed us with men like our dear Elder.

The services were beautiful, respectful, dignified, humorous, glorious, and heart-breaking. In other words, they were a perfect reflection of the man we had gathered to honor and remember. And his wife, Sister Brenda Ward, displayed remarkable grace, dignity, and kindness to us all. She is a shining example of what it is to be a God-fearing, Christian woman and servant of the gospel of God's grace.

But, now Elder's gone ... at least for a while. As Elder Spotts said, "We lost our safety net." I guess we will have to learn to rely on one another. But, I sure did love that man.

To God be the glory.

Elder Ward's Home-Going

I've always liked this picture of Megan and Elder. Not only can you see their genuine kindness and affection toward each other, but Spurgeon's looking over their shoulder. This picture was taken in Elder Ward's study during the 2006 Sovereign Grace Conference. This is how I will remember him -- full of life and warmth.


My dear friend, beloved brother, trusted confidant -- the man who most taught me what it means to be a pastor -- went to his reward on Friday, April 25, 2008. He succumbed to lung cancer after fighting valiantly and went out doing what he loved to do -- preaching.


As many of you know, Elder Ward and David Morris officiated my ordination in May of 2000. Elder was a pastor's pastor, which is why so many of us called by the affectionate and respectful name "Elder." Those who were closest to him just called him "Pop."


Elder Ward was a bold preacher who was committed to extolling the virtues of grace. He had a profound influence on everyone who knew him. He was loved dearly because he loved fiercely. This picture was taken at the Chattanooga conference in March, where Elder preached for three days, teaching a room full of pastors and elders. On Friday we all gathered, prayed over him, laid hands on him, and wept collectively. Afterward, I said to Marlon, "I hope someday to be loved that way." Without missing a beat, Marlon replied, "He has always loved that way." Lesson learned.



His influence was far-reaching and he will be sorely missed. This August will be the 25th anniversary of the Sovereign Grace Bible Conference. This will be the first conference without him. But, every man who stands in that pulpit knows that he is standing in the shadow of a giant. (Info here)



Elder will lie in state this Thursday, 5/1/2008 from noon to 5:00pm. His wake (where the family will receive and greet guests) will be from 5:00pm to 7:00pm Thursday. A memorial service will begin at 7:00pm Thursday evening. His home-going service will be Friday at 1:00pm.



I look forward to the next time I can look into his eyes, hug his neck, kiss his cheek, and thank him for his many years of leadership and friendship. In the meantime, I will continue doing the one thing he always adjured me to do -- "Preach the word."



Good-bye, my beloved friend. I'll see you soon.

this, that, and some other things ...

Hello there! How've ya' been? I've been just dandy ... albeit a little busier than normal. No wait ... come to think of it, busy IS normal for me.

I just wanted to bring everyone up to date on several things that fall into the category of "odds and ends."

First off, after several requests, we've added an "events calendar" to the GCA website. While the site serves people around the globe quite effectively, we have been remiss in using it to its full potential for the our local congregation. Lately, between conferences, viruses, holidays, and schedule conflicts, we've had to cancel the occasional mid-week meeting. But not everyone got the news and some folk showed up to an empty building. I hate it when that happens. So, we're going to attempt to keep the calendar up to date and post announcements there whenever something interrupts our regular schedule, as well as let people know about upcoming meetings and times of fellowship.

You can view the calendar via the link on our website, or just click here:

http://www.gcaarchive.com/calendar.shtml

Secondly, I want to thank the folk at Reformed Voices for continuing to produce videos from clips of our preaching and posting them on their site (as well as on YouTube). You can check out the large-and-still-growing library of videos via their site --

http://www.reformedvoices.blogspot.com/

Or via their YouTube page --

http://www.youtube.com/user/diligentile

http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=diligentile

There's plenty of material on both of the those pages that you can all benefit from. While you're there, take the time to leave Philip (the man behind Reformed Voices) an encouraging comment. His dedication to sound doctrine is obvious and undeniable. And his approach to spreading the gospel of grace via the Internet and the latest forms of media is both encouraging and inspiring.

Lastly for now, after years of waiting, we have finally procured the URL's that contain our actual name. You can now reach our website via any of the following:

www.salvationbygrace.org
www.salvationbygrace.com
www.gracechristianassembly.org
www.gracechristianassembly.com

However, my email address remains the same:

Jim@SalvationByGrace.org

And, as always, I look forward to hearing from you.

The weather here in Middle Tennessee has taken a turn toward Spring. Cold and Flu Season is finally subsiding. The dogwoods are blooming, the pollen count is rising, the school year is starting to wrap up, God is on His throne and it's all good.

This is the day that the Lord has made, so remember to be glad and rejoice in it.

And that pretty much covers this, that, and the other things ...

Homecoming Weekend Info

You are cordially invited to join us for GCA’s 3rd Annual Homecoming Weekend!

Saturday, March 22, 2008

4:30 pm
Service and baptism at Sovereign Grace Baptist Church
437 Coventry Dr.

Nashville, TN 37211

(615) 837-4625

7:00 pm
Dinner at the Smyrna Towne Center
100 Sam Ridley Parkway

Smyrna, TN 37167

615.459.9710

Sunday morning, March 23, 2008
10:30 am
Communion Service at Grace Christian Assembly
904 Hazelwood Dr.
Smyrna, TN.

Followed by potluck foods, refreshment, and fellowship.

Directions to Sovereign Grace Baptist Church:

On Nolensville Road, just north of Harding Place, on the west side of the street, is a McDonald's restaurant. The street next to that McDonald's is Welshwood.

Take Welshwood until it dead ends at Corning Dr. Turn left. Take Corning drive until it dead ends at Coventry Dr. Turn right. The church building is on the left side of the street and looks like this --

It may help to use Google maps, or MapQuest, to visualize the trip from your starting location.

We hope to see you there!

It's Cold & Flu Season ...

... and don't I know it!

By the time I was finished working on an all-day video shoot on Saturday, I realized that what I thought was a mere cold had morphed into the feverish, achy, head-swelling flu that's going around. I called Jeff Saturday night and told him he was going to have to fill in Sunday morning. And, being the theological trooper he is, he conducted our Sunday meeting with grace and aplomb. I'm told that he offered a compelling survey of the first few chapters of the book of Hebrews. BUT, the bad news is that there is no recording of it. So, the folk on the Internet will just have to imagine how enjoyable it was.

It's been a long, long time since I've missed two Sundays this close together, but God did not topple from His throne. The saints still gathered and the word went forth. So, I'm grateful to Jeff (pictured here) for his willingness to stand up and teach.

Despite rumors to the contrary, he's a good man. :-)

And, while I'm at it, our other keyboard player was also out sick, so Tom (pictured below) soldiered on, leading song service with just his electric guitar. Tom and I have been playing music together since 1984. And, by God's good and gracious providence, we're still playing together today. So, I'm grateful for his fortitude and willing service to GCA.

We are a blessed congregation to have capable and willing folk who can serve in the ministry of the gospel while also allowing their pastor time to heal. I'm a fortunate fellow.

(cough, sniff ...)

Sovereign Grace Bible Conference

Back in August, while attending the Annual Sovereign Grace Bible Conference, Andrew Doss began talking about creating a website devoted to the conference, especially in light of its impending 25th anniversary. Well, after a few quick discussions, we went to work on it. The site is now up and running and Andrew's done an excellent job with it. You can watch video clips of the preaching and singing, and every message from the conference is available in mp3 format.

This August the conference will convene for the 25th year in a row. All the necessary info is at the website. If you have an opportunity and would like to be among some of the most loving, enthusiastic Calvinists you'll ever meet, make the trip to Lexington.

To see the new site, click here:

http://www.sovereigngracebibleconference.org/

The Sunday morning white board

As you are listening to this morning's message, entitled "And That Not Of Yourselves" -- you'll hear me writing on the board and making reference back to it. Here's a picture from Meg's camera phone to help you envision what was on the board so you can better follow along.

Thanks to Meg for her quick camera-phone trigger finger!

Plank of Wood Rocks!

At long last, after much cajoling and anticipation, the new "Plank of Wood" line of products is available through CafePress!!! This picture is of the new mousepad --- is anything cooler??!!

Click this link and fill your wardrobe with the latest GCA shirts and stuff, from hoodies to T-shirts. There's even a "Plank of Wood" teddy bear (for which I have no explanation).

You can see it all here -

http://www.cafepress.com/plankofwood

Thanks to Andrew D. for his design brilliance.

(These products are sold through CafePress, not GCA. We do no profit off these products. They are made available at competitive prices for your convenience and enjoyment.)