Greetings, y'all, from the heart of the energy industry, downtown Houston, Texas. I'm here (along with Stacey and Sarah) representing FCBC-FV for the next few days at the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting.

I was told that it would be in the 90's with humidity, and I dressed accordingly. Well, it's only been in the 80's, so that's been nice. Unfortunately, we've spent 99% of our time indoors, where it's about 55 degrees from the A/C blowing strong and cold (remember, we're in energy country). By the end of tonight, we felt like popsicles and needed to thaw out in our hotel room! :)

As cold as the controlled-climate has been, the spiritual temperature has been quite the opposite. The past 30 hours has felt like one long revival meeting--appropriate comparison since this week's theme is "Revive Us" (John 13:34-35). Nine messages, three panel discussions and dozens of worship-music sets--all in a hall bigger than a football field. All that in 14 hours of programming since last night. As a pastor, I must say it's such a blessing to "just come as I am..."

My heart and mind are filled to the full. My spirit has been lifted up.

• I've cheered and applauded the proclamation of Gospel truth, along with thousands of pastors standing in honor of Jesus crucified, risen and coming again.
• I've cried as we sung the gripping Gospel lyrics from great hymns of the faith, both ancient and modern.
• I've laughed at the hilarious stories and illustrations told by master communicators.
• I've been silenced, mesmerized by memorized Scripture, as Tim McKenzie dramtically recited Scripture from memory for 35 straight minutes, accompanied by a fantastic video montage (www.oneveryword.com).
• I've kneeled on the hard concrete floor, beseeching God to be glorified in me and our church.
• I've huddled with fellow pastors I've never met before, praying for one another to be blessed by God.
• I've been challenged to not give up: to never stop preaching the Word, to never stop loving and protecting the flock, to never stop worshipping the King of Kings.
• I've hugged my wife and daughter, as we've been encouraged to love and cherish our families.
• I've held hands with dozens of Southern Baptist pastors whose hands are twice the size of mine, whose voices are twice as deep as mine, whose accent is twice as thick as mine and whose hearts are incalculably more generous, compassionate and hospitable than mine (from what I can tell in 10 seconds).
• I've been evangelized in the elevator by a fellow SBC pastor who gave me a Gospel tract (I thanked him and blessed him in return in Jesus name!)

I could summarize for you all of the talks--how each one was so simply profound and profoundly simple, how each one was so applicable, motivational and Scriptural...but that would take more time than I have. If you're interested in the message notes, and they are extensive, send me an email and I'll forward them to you.

Thanks for sending us, allowing us to be your messengers to the annual meeting (which actually starts tomorrow), and for praying for us. Stacey and Sarah send their love.

May Jesus be all-in-all. May we never forget the magnificence of God's grace, the wonder of God's love, and the great sacrifice of God's Son on the Cross. "What can wash away our sin? Nothing, nothing, nothing but the blood of Jesus." How true it is that when we "turn our eyes upon Jesus, the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace."

Shalom,

Godfrey