An Odd Prayer Request....I Admit

                Reservations have already reached capacity for John MacArthur's annual Shepherd's Conference to be held at his Sun Valley Church this March 6 through March 8.....a Wednesday morning to a Friday evening....Lord willing on all of this. The conference title this year is.....Truth Triumphs. 
                I'm asking you here if you would consider joining with me in an extended....six week....prayer for this conference. I'm sure that there are plenty of believers praying for just this from Grace Community Church....but I am hoping for something different.
                Typically....this is the conference experience in today's church....and probably ever since church conferences began....whenever that may have been....most everyone looks forward to the getaway....and the fellowship....and the teaching....and even the booktable. There is a certain amount of refreshing to be had by most everyone....and then it is back home....hopefully with increasing fervor and even expectation.
                 As the weeks pass and the time for the conference draws nearer....God may be awakening all of us....MacArthur and Piper and all of us....and it may not turn out to be a typical church conference....wonderful as they may be and usually are....but more of an emergency meeting of shepherds....pastors....seeking much needed discernment...and much needed courage and determination....in the turmoil of this world!
                  So maybe you are not too excited about my thoughts and even hopes on this....and I wouldn't blame you....but please keep this in the back of your mind....for there is one additional benefit of a conference such as this....whereas pastors....everyday pastors....and some of the most influential pastors in the church today....MacArthur and Piper as I named....can be called upon by the events of the day....to go beyond the scheduled events....into unanticipated concerns....and draw strength and wisdom and discernment from the nearness of so many shepherds of the flock!!