Heard It Again!
This weekend John was down at Woodmen Valley Chapel in Colorado Springs. He had done their men’s retreat (with 300 guys) and was asked to speak at the weekend’s worship services. So Joanne and the girls and I drove down Saturday night. First off, it was great to see John. He is such an amazing friend and our whole family loves him and his family. So just seeing him was a lot of fun.
I have heard John speak and teach many times in many different settings. One might think that I would sort of have it figured out at this point and that he would have a hard time keeping my attention. But I tell you what: John brought it on Saturday night! He was as “on” as I have seen him and it was like the Holy Spirit just descended and moved through him. I spent a lot of my time moving between watching John on stage and watching my girls. They had never heard John preach and I think it was a big deal to them to see someone they know up on stage. I could tell from their faces that they were just eating it up. After the service Audrey reported that John was “radical” and Emma said, “that was the fist preaching I ever understood.” I love that!
The cool thing was that the whole congregation was totally with him too. I am sure that from time to time he speaks and people just can’t get their head around the message. But this group was responsive. They laughed at the jokes, nodded enthusiastically at the right points and even clapped a few times right in the middle of the talk. And boy did they clap afterwards! And a ton of people came up to talk to him and seemed to be really impacted by what he had to say. What a cool thing to witness.
Here’s the thing: it was so good for me to hear the message again. Even thought I have heard it tons, it still effects me. My heart is totally open to hearing and receiving this message of grace. I hope I never get tired of hearing it. I hope my ears never close as a result of familiarity. I hope, like Audrey and Emma, that I will find the message both radical and understandable for all my life.
Can you help me get in touch with John?
I attended the retreat that John spoke at at Crooked Creek in Fraser, Colorado this last weekend. He invited me to be his friend on facebook but I can’t find him.
Just tell him that on the way out of the meeting hall I spoke to him and he mentioned Cigar and a Campfire.
Thanks so much!
regards
David Pina
Tobin,
I’m so pleased to hear that WVC had John both for their men’s retreat and their weekend services. That’s our home fellowship in Colorado Springs, and a big supporter of our overseas work, and we love to hear that they are welcoming and resonating with the message of grace as John shares it! Not that I have ever experienced anything other than that there, but it is still nice to hear confirmation of it!
Toben, I don’t know how old is Audrey, but I agree with her. John’s sermons are the first that I ever totally understood, and I was 73 when I first heard him. How great is it that your children got to hear John speak at such an early age. Blessings to you and your family.
Toben-such kind and profound words. You captured so well what I was experiencing up there. Sometimes God shows up in such beautiful and overwhelming ways when you almost forget that He might. Wow. What a God, what a Savior! I am overwhelmed right now. Thank you friend.
I just want to echo the comments above. I’ve introduced a group of guys I’ve been meeting with for three years to the TrueFaced “grace message” via the sermon series John and Bill preached a few years ago. I love to hear this message as it brings life to my heart, mind and soul, just as Jesus intended. He came to set us free and now we have the ticket to give away.