Day 2 from Atlanta's NYWC

Today was a full day in so many ways. I hit some pretty hefty seminars that were right in my wheelhouse (Mike King and Chris Folmsbee), heard Phyllis Tickle and Louie Giglio from the main stage, and worshiped with Shane & Shane and Chris Tomlin. All of it was worthwhile, challenging, and refreshing. I got to meet Phyllis Tickle backstage before she presented, and we had a good chat. I'm going to have to get the dvd of her talk, because I couldn't hear a lot of what she said, but I heard so many people talking about how good her talk was.

I think the most meaningful part of the day for me was actually spread out over several conversations that I had with some good listeners. God is confirming some things in me, and muddying the waters further still in some other areas. I have enjoyed working through my/our story with a few insightful people over the past 2 days. I'm going to talk to a Youth Ministry Consultant tomorrow morning. Maybe we can dig a little deeper into the discontent/desire thing to see what's under the surface.

During Louie's talk (and Tomlin's worship session following the talk), I sensed God asking me if I would be faithful to walk in the opportunities that he puts in front of me. I believe that I am gaining some ground, getting some momentum, and moving in the right direction. There are a few things that seem to slow me down or discourage/defeat me, and they (or I) seem to cycle through them on a somewhat regular basis.

I'm ready to be whole, to find the Shalom of God--that sense of wholeness, completion, rest...