28 September 2007

This Is Where I Am This Weekend

by Phil Johnson

inneapolis. The Desiring God Conference. Darlene and I are with Bill Fickett, staffing the Grace to You display downstairs. If you're at the conference, come and say hi. I have a small supply of bumper stickers. Ask for one.

Longtime readers will recognize the great Marc Heinrich, blogmaster of one of the best Christian blogs of all time, the once-legendary (but now virtually defunct) Purgatorio. Marc and his lovely wife came by the booth. I begged him to get back to blogging, but I don't think he's going to do it. Marc's a musician and songwriter, and one of his songs, "Stand," is the conference theme song. It was great to see him. He says not blogging has done wonders for him.

Yeah, yeah. I know. Don't tempt me.

I also met Justin Taylor face to face for the first time. He's a gracious in person as he seems on his blog. A much nicer guy than I am. Justin moderated the Q&A with John Piper and John MacArthur tonight. It was a poignant look at the personal side of these two men—who for all their well-known contrasts, have a surprising amount in common.

Several other bloggers, blog-readers, and hard-core Pyro-fans stopped by and said hi. I won't spoil any reputations by revealing the names of some of the people who told me they read PyroManiacs on a regular basis, but let's just say you might recognize a couple of those names, and it'd probably be a good idea for everyone around here to behave better.

I didn't take my laptop today. (Hence this late-night update.) But the Convention Center here has wireless, so I might post a live update Saturday. Then again, maybe not. The conference is going to be excellent.

The conference bookstore is also something amazing—I'd guess it's close to two acres of tables stacked high with great books.

Incidentally, the Cubs clinched first place in their division tonight. (They backed into it, really, losing three of their past four games while watching the Brewers' losses chip away at the magic number. Even tonight, when the Cubs won, it was technically Milwaukee's loss, an hour later, that sealed first place for the Cubs.) I learned about it via a text message during the Q&A session. So if you were there and heard what sounded like a loud charismatic guy amening, speaking in tongues, and praising the Lord in a context where nothing the speakers said seemed to warrant such an outburst—that was me.

Sorry.

PS: I suppose this is proof (as if we needed it) that my sanctification isn't complete yet, but I'll admit it anyway: The Mets' collapse is almost as sweet as the Cubs' win. Finally! a little payback for 1969.

Phil's signature

38 comments:

Jason Robertson said...

Phil are two of my LSU guys playing for the Cubs? I think there names are Ryan Theriot and Mike Fontenot. They were on one of LSU's many teams to win the College World Series under Hall of Famer Skip Bertman.

Skip coached LSU to five World Championships and was voted by Baseball America in 1999 as the second greatest college baseball coach of the 20th century, trailing Rod Dedeaux of Southern California.

Just a little baseball trivia for ya. Go Cubs!

Leberwurst said...

My favorite Cub memory, the 1989 NLCS vs My Giants...

Oh well maybe next year, onward into the Bondless future!

David A. Carlson said...

pftt

Stupid Brewers. Chicago gave it to them and the brewers threw it back.

Kim from Hiraeth said...

I'm pretty sure I heard you!

Can't be 100 per cent sure because it was noisy around here. . .

Cubs Win!

I am so looking forward to a Tribe/Cubs World Series.

It could happen.

(My husband says he admires my faith.)

Kim from Hiraeth

Phil Johnson said...

Jason:

Yup. I didn't realize they both were from LSU. Theriot (spelled like "the riot," but pronounced like Deney Terrio's last name) is one of the Cubs' better clutch hitters. His player summary says he is 5'11, but I think that's wishful thinking. Fontenot is only 5'8. They grow them short in Louisiana, huh? How'd you get to be such a tall guy?

steve said...

Wow--a full week of "this is where I am" and "This is where I was" blogposts.

That's got to have sent Frank's eyebrow into overdrive.

I'm glad for the Cubs. And I'm salivating over those two acres of books at the conference....

wordsmith said...

Go Cubs! Chicago's only true baseball team. (Black Sox don't count :) .)

DJP said...

You saw that punk, Heinrich? Tell him "hi" for me. And tell him that his "You Supply the Caption" on me was still one of the funnest things that's happened to me.

candy said...

Hey! How nice to see a pic of you and Marc. I really miss Marc's post too, but how wonderful that God is blessing his songwriting and such. Please give him a big hello from me too.

candy said...

Oops. I mean I miss Marc's blog. Maybe you can convince him to post occasional Marc tempered posts in your blog.

Craig Schwarze said...

...but let's just say you might recognize a couple of those names, and it'd probably be a good idea for everyone around here to behave better.

Well, God reads it for a start...

Marc R. Wragg said...

If the Cubs would stop killing Cardinal Players before games I would cheer for them in the playoffs. ;)

Phil Johnson said...

DJP:

Heinrich asked about you. He said he wasn't clear on one thing: is DJP dispensationalist, or what? He wonders why you seem so ambiguous about it.

FX Turk said...

CraigS:

LOL! I'm glad you said it and not me. If I had said it, it would have been labeled self-congratulatory.

FX Turk said...

I am also cut to the quick that Heinrich mentioned me not. I am quenched like an ember.

Jason Robertson said...

Phil:
Yes, those are French names; those two guys are Cajuns. Cajuns are notoriously under-estimated -- the proverbial big bang in a little package type of thing. Those guys are tough and usually a little crazy. If you were to get in a fight with one, he might punch you right in the knee-cap.

Caddiechaplain said...

Phil,
True story. . . .I am at Cellular One Stadium with my PGA Tour caddy buddy, Steve Hulka, and compliments of Harold Baines (we sat directly behind home plate; I mean, I am calling balls and strikes). I am not a Sox nor a Cubs fan (I don't have anything against either; I am an Angel fan). As the evening progresses, I am watching the score board in right field to see how CHC are doing against CIN. 2-0, 4-0, 6-0. I say to my buddy (die-hard CHW fan) "Cubbies will do it tonight." He, of course is rooting for CIN and for MIL. The inevitable happens as the White Soxs are just about to beat DET and Bobby Jenks gets his 40th save; the scoreboard flashes that SD beats MIL, and I yell to the top of voice in front of every SOX fan present: THE CUBS WIN! THE CUBS WIN! Now, Phil, I had no idea what came over me. I know it wasn't the H.S. but maybe is was the spirit of P.J.

Anyway, congrats and have a great series and maybe you'll play my LAA in the WS.

Ron

Caddiechaplain said...

Oh, and btw, I am also glad that CHC won so Lou can shave now. He was looking "homeless!"

FX Turk said...

The baseball talk might as well be cherokee code-talking for all of me.

This blog needs to be more culturally-relevant than that. Please.

Phil Johnson said...

Frank:

Actually, Heinrich had quite a lot to say about you. Most of it would violate our rules, so I thought it best to refrain from giving details.








I'm kidding, of course. But we did talk about you at length. If I started naming people we talked about, though, it would take too long.

Phil Johnson said...

Caddiechaplain:

Good for you. I admire your bravery more than I can say. Have you looked at the rebroadcast of the game to see if you can be hard in the broadcast booth? That would be awesome.

FX Turk said...

I'm sure Heinrich got his licks in when I couldn't be there to tase him for his insolence.

And yes, I will have it both ways. Hot and sour, as they say.

Stefan Ewing said...

I didn't mention it before, but I'll mention it now:

Wow, two acres of books...and all presumably by reformed authors, at that! Wow....

BKJ said...

It was nice to get to meet you and your wife at the conference yesterday. It was a blessing to have MacArthur visit.

-Boyd

candy said...

Frank. A quenched ember seems like an oxymoron to me. But, you were dealing with all those pomo posters so maybe that would explain it.

Kristine said...

You're in my town! Unfortunately, my sweet husband and I couldn't gather the funds for this year's conference, but I hope your time here is a blessing!

Frank Martens said...

Frank: "hi" back :)

Peace!

James Scott Bell said...

"Wow, two acres of books...and all presumably by reformed authors"

How can reformed authors write books?

Solameanie said...

All of this travelogue material. Mercy me.

Allow me to be the Puddleglum of the day and quench more embers (loved that line, Frank).

To steal a line from Gandalf the White, "wherever I have been, I am back."

How's that for a trip description?

Now, on to a serious question. Phil, I am rather envious at your access to all those books. When I came back from the Shepherd's Conference with my armful this past spring, I suddenly realized I had a problem. I am out of shelf space in my study, and there isn't any other place in my house where I can put shelves. I have a huge basement but books and basements don't always get along. For an incurable bookworm such as I, this isn't good. I don't want to go the cyberbook route either, as I need to save my eyes. Any suggestions?

DJP said...

PhilHeinrich ...wonders why you seem so ambiguous about it

I know. This vagueness... it's a curse. In a way. Or so some say.

I must do something about it, sometime, perhaps.

a.return.to.christianity said...

Man, how lucky you are to hear those speakers!

Please visit my blog at http://areturntochristianity.blogspot.com/

Jake said...

Phil, it was such an encouragement to see you and your wife at the conference! I did go crazy in the bookstore on Sunday, by the way. I got the book you recommended, (Exegetical Fallacies) and I thought… “why stop there?” I picked up, “Meet the Puritans” for $20, along with “Assured by God”, “Humility” (Mahaney), “Walking as He Walked”, “Christian Beliefs”, “Brothers, We Are Not Professionals”, “Feed My Sheep”, “Leading with Love”, “Preaching the Cross”, and a couple others that seemed interesting. I got a wealth of knowledge without breaking the bank, plus it’s supporting DG. I’m pretty excited.

Al said...

I think its funny how fans of the National League have hopes and dreams. It also makes me a little sad; knowing that no matter who wins their pennant the Red Sox will dash their dreams of a World Series.

Just give up now and join the Nation.

al sends

FX Turk said...

MARTENS!

DOOD!

FX Turk said...

"Payback for 1969"?

Phil: let it go. Seriously. I'm deeply concerned and troubled.

Daryl said...

Been listening to the audio on the link Cent provided. Great stuff!

By the way...to a comment a few moments back that shall remain nameless (and shameless apparently).

HOLY TROLLING BATMAN!!!

(gimme a break)

Dave said...

Phil's a Cubs fan? I knew there was a reason (other than solid Biblical commentary and daily spiritual encouragement) why I liked this guy...

Okay, I'm done. Actually, no I'm not:

GO CUBBIES!!! Beat those Baby Backs!

brentjthomas said...

I miss Marc Heinrich's blog, sense of humour, comments and responses. He does look well. May our Lord continue to richly bless Marc.