“How was your trip?” This question, asked casually in passing, is next to impossible for me to answer. I typically go blank, not knowing how or where to start. Is there one word that sums up everything? Is there time to go into detail? Should I commit five hundred words (or more) to paper to give an unsatisfying report? Or should I just say a trite ‘good’ and let it rest? These are some of my thoughts upon returning from the Cincinnati conference.
I might more easily respond to, “How is your soul following your time away?” A one-word response here would be, ‘Refreshed.’ To elaborate, refreshed from going into heaven’s throne room with 2000 or so fellow Vineyard journeyers to the Father’s heart. Refreshed by the sweet visitation of the Holy Spirit in ministry times. Refreshed from solid national leadership seeking to follow Jesus in every aspect of the Vineyard here in the USA. Refreshed from watching the no-hype, no posturing, no look-at-me speakers. Refreshed from listening to, and being fed by, a Bible teacher in love with Jesus and in love with his Word. Refreshed from meeting fellow conferees new and old. Refreshed from seeing mountains and valleys and rivers and streams along the 1200 or so miles traveled. Refreshed from seeing family and friends along the way.
One thing is clear; our 21st Century discipleship is doable only as we are continually refreshed in the Word and with fellowship. It is vitally important to keep our souls anchored and steady in the face of the swirling craziness around us. When Jesus told the disciples, ‘Without me you can do nothing.’ he wasn’t messing around. He was delivering a sobering prophetic word to prepare them for the craziness about to be unleashed on them. By the way, the craziness he spoke of keeps morphing but never seems to end. How amazing to know Jesus is the Good Shepherd keeping watch over his sheep (us)! How reassuring to know, ‘the word God has planted in [our] hearts has the power to save [our] souls.’ James 1:21, NLT.
“. . . his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes in the morning.” – words of King David who knew through experience the joy he wrote about. A joy that we, too, can know and be refreshed by. Looking forward to the soul refreshing fellowship with y’all tomorrow 10 AM, 3 PM UK, 4 PM FR, ES. PD
