What I'm Looking Forward To
Next week, my family is planning on attending the annual Freed-Hardeman University Bible Lectureship. The week is filled with so many wonderful lectures. When we leave, we are certainly tired, but we are also spiritually filled to the overflowing.
In past years on this blog, I have mentioned some of the lectures I would be attending. While I’m planning on attending both the Old Testament preaching track (delivered by Marlin Connelly) and the New Testament preaching track (delivered by Dan Winkler), those are the only two I’m going to specifically mention this year.
Instead, for those who may have never been to the lectures before–or have not been in some time–I want to share with you some of the other things I look forward to. Outside the Bible learning, there are so many other things I enjoy and that truly make the week something I plan around each year.
1. Singing. Each evening at 6:45, there is a period of singing that usually lasts about 30-40 minutes. The song leaders are wonderful, but the singing itself is so uplifting. Just imagine hundreds (sometimes thousands) of voices blending in praise of our Father.
2. Family. I am blessed to have so many in my family who attend each year for at least part of the week. Besides Leah and the kids, my parents, Leah’s parents, my sister and brother-in-law, and Leah’s brother and sister-in-law are present, as are some members of our extended family. While we go to several different lectures, we try to spend as much time as we can together, and often sit together.
3. Friends. While there are many who know far more people than I do (such as my dad, who knows approximately every person on earth), I always enjoy running into friends from all over the world during the week. The old song, “You’ll Never Walk Alone” could be retitled for this week: “You’ll Never Sit Alone.” The lectures truly are a time to renew acquaintances in a wonderful way.
4. News. I’m not talking about “gossip.” I’m talking about hearing of so many successes and, yes, a few difficulties that friends and others have had over the previous 12 months. While sites such as Facebook and SaintsMeet help in keeping up with events and movements, there is nothing like getting to talk with people about these things one-on-one and face-to-face.
5. Books. The book fair is my favorite place (outside the lectures). I don’t spend much money, but I sure enjoy looking. I probably average an hour each day at the book fair deciding on a few purchases and seeing new things that are available.
If you would like more information on the lectures, click here and take a look at the schedule. Even if you can only come for one day, the lectures provide such wonderful learning and, as you can see, so much more. I hope to see you in Henderson next week!
