10 comments

Paula Hendricks

Opening Night in Orlando: TGCW12

Posted on 06.22.12 by Paula Hendricks | Twitter: @PaulaWrites678
Topics: Relationship with God

You just never know what a day—or a weekend—might hold. I was gearing up for some much-needed R&R yesterday afternoon when my boss spontaneously asked if I’d like to LIVE blog The Gospel Coalition’s 2012 National Women’s Conference today through Sunday.

And although my body craved a couple of around-the-clock-zzzz’s, my soul craved a fresh vision of God even more. And that is the story of how, less than 24 hours later, I found myself in Orlando, Florida, home of Sea World, Universal Studios, and just about every other fun theme park you can imagine.  

I’m not here for thrills, though; I’m laser-focused on catching a glimpse of God. And I’m trusting I came to the right place, because TGC’s first-ever women’s conference is structured around the theme “Here Is Our God: God’s Revelation of Himself in Scripture.” 

Unfortunately I didn’t make it in time for Pastor Tim Keller’s opening message, but I will get to hear Paige Benton Brown for the first time in just a few minutes as she speaks on “In the Temple: The Glorious and Forgiving God” from 1 Kings 8.

Nancy Leigh DeMoss is up tomorrow at 8 p.m. speaking from Matthew 17:1-15. Her message is titled “On Another Mountain: The God Who Points to His Son.”

In between book signings and interviews and meetings and everything else “famous people” are expected to do when they’re surrounded by thousands of women at a Christian conference, Nancy will also be leading a workshop on “Daily Devotions: Duty or Delight” at 1:30 p.m. tomorrow. Pray for her, would you? 

If you want to catch it all, you can watch the LIVE stream at TheGospelCoalition.org. Or, if you just want the highlights, follow along right here throughout the weekend. I won’t be giving a play-by-play, but I will be sharing from my heart about what most impacts me.

Would you pray for the 3,700 attendees who are here from around the world, that they would encounter God in a fresh way this weekend? I’m praying the same thing for you, whether you’re in Orlando or Oklahoma City this weekend, whether you’re at a Christ-centered conference or cooking for a crowd. 

Cause that’s what we really need.

“And I—in righteousness I will see your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness” (Ps. 17:15).

Til tomorrow, then!

Comments

  1. Exciting! I will indeed be praying for Nancy as she shares and teaches on these subjects. Praying for all present to have tender hearts, attentive hearts, and responsive minds.
    posted by denise
    on Friday, June 22, 2012 at 8:05 pm
  2. Wow! I just heard an amazing woman speak! Paige Bennet Brown. If you can find this and listen to it . . . ABSOLUTELY DON'T MISS THIS ONE! I have a GREATER AND NEW perspective on Christ and HIS living IN me!
    posted by Darla Pearce
    on Friday, June 22, 2012 at 9:15 pm
  3. I heard Paige's message too--outstanding!! I am still pondering that whole concept of our "templeness", as she put it. It isn't a new concept to me, but maybe I have a deeper understanding, certainly a fresh perspective!
    posted by Vivian Etherington
    on Friday, June 22, 2012 at 10:48 pm
  4. I heard Paige Bennet Brown speak in a breakout session at The Gospel Coalition conference in Chicago last spring. She blew me away! I wish they had recorded it because it was packed full of practical advice for relationships. The thing that she said which I have found the most helpful is that it's not enough to know someone's circumstances, but to know how they feel about their circumstances. It is so easy for me to project how I would feel onto others without really listening to them. By God's grace, I think I have grown in this area over the last year.
    Looking forward to the updates over the weekend, and am happy to be a prayer warrior from Ohio!
    posted by Tracy
    on Friday, June 22, 2012 at 11:04 pm
  5. I am up for day number 2 here. It was amazing yesterday, learning from the Kellers, Don Carson, John Piper,Paige Brown,....I have already been drawn closer to God from what I learned.

    I am so blessed to be here! Praise God!
    posted by Beth
    on Saturday, June 23, 2012 at 6:43 am
  6. My pastor's wife, Jani Ortlund, will be speaking there. Wish I could be there! Does anyone know if recordings will be available?
    posted by Susan
    on Saturday, June 23, 2012 at 12:13 pm
  7. I didn't get a chance to introduce myself, but I caught a glimpse of your nametag as you walked away! Thank you for holding my baby during the last session. What a blessing to get a break and to be able to listen without distraction for a bit. I pray the conference blesses you. Grace and peace.
    www.kendradahl.com
    posted by Kendra Dahl
    on Saturday, June 23, 2012 at 1:19 pm
  8. I understand that the session are being streamed live. Is there a way to watch them anytime. For example if I missed a session live will it be on the website like they do at the T4G conference? Thanks for your assistance.
    posted by Danielle Beck
    on Saturday, June 23, 2012 at 3:06 pm
  9. Wasn't Paige great?!

    Thank you all for your prayers!

    Susan and Danielle, I was told the messages would be available on TheGospelCoalition.org within about two weeks. Enjoy.

    And Kendra! It was purely selfish. Your daughter is beautiful, and I don't get the chance to hold a baby nearly often enough. ;)
    posted by Paula Hendricks
    on Saturday, June 23, 2012 at 5:35 pm
  10. She was incredible; if that is the way you began your weekend, I bet you knew it would certainly be worth exchanging unending zzzzz's for this amazing weekend. I had been planning to attend since December, but I honestly had no idea what I would be in for. Praise the Lord, oh my soul, and all that is within me--- He is doing great things, and He reigns forever.
    http://titus2missions.blogspot.com/
    posted by MomOnAMission
    on Wednesday, June 27, 2012 at 7:28 am

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