Reaching Forward: Things I Learned at General Conference

I have spent the past week in humid Hot Springs, Arkansas listening to preaching from the greatest pastors/preachers/teachers I know, testimonies from the most inspiring missionaries, and the laughter of my sisters and best friends. Weeks like the one I have just experienced are the kind that change one's life, that spur one on to good works, and inspire one to make changes. Here are just a few things I learned at the Associated Brotherhood of Christians General Conference:

1. You can't reach forward with your hands behind your back.
2. "The real mother never divides the body (1 Kings 3:16-28) As the church we should all be more kingdom minded and work together!" Pastor DJ Shoulders
3. Anointing flows when your ego goes! Get over yourself and God can use you.
4. If people would get busy rowing the boat, they wouldn't have time to rock the boat.
5. "If you don't have God in your temple, you have the devil in your temple" Bishop Billy Shoulders
6. Evidently my sister Christina can speak Japanese... that's a lie. She can't, but there was a twelve year old girl at the conference who could speak Japanese... kind of.
7. There were two questions asked in the beginning: 1. Adam, where are you? 2. Cain, where is your brother? The two questions are the same today: 1. Where are you in your relationship with the Lord? 2. Where is your brother? We have to look out for each other. -Bro. Bobby Lowery
8. Change is the only thing in life that is certain. SO STINKING TRUE.
9. According to the main speaker of the week, Rev. Bobby McCool, there are two attitudes we must always have: 1. A thumbs-up attitude and 2. An "It-might-as-well-be-me" attitude.
10. When its really quiet you might hear a rat licking ice. (This is the actual context of this statement: Bro. McCool was preaching and said, "You guys just got so quiet I think I heard a rat licking ice!" Christina laughed for a good ten minutes... during his sermon....)
11. We should make it as easy as possible for sinners to get into Heaven. I mean, we shouldn't give up on salvation, but all that extra stuff. Does it really matter? No.
12. Your butt might also be called "the backside of your lap"
13. We are under obligation to feed God's sheep.
14. If you have been redeemed, you ought to inform your face.
15. God is not worried about his position, he is worried about yours.
16. Jesus had the first night vision goggles.
17. When Jesus steps into you boat it will SHOCK you how fast he gets you to shore.

This isn't all... I can't even begin to describe the amazing things God did during this conference and everything I did learn. Well, I could, but once I start I might not be able to stop. Anyways, conference was so fun. The services were fantastic, but it was great to just be in fellowship with so many brothers and sisters in the Lord. I made so many new friends and grew in so many friendships I already had made. There was such a great spirit of unity throughout the whole week.

Just one more thing I want to share: Number eight on my list states, "Change is the only thing in life that is certain." My life is about to change drastically. Actually, change is on the horizon for my entire family. First of all, summer is over and my sisters go back to school on Monday. My baby sister Jessica is starting high school... she's the last one. My sister's boyfriend JJ is moving from Michigan here to Kentucky. That's huge. And one of my best friends in the whole world is most likely moving... into my house. Talk about exciting! I will be starting school in four weeks, which throws me from staying up late and sleeping late and going to church into staying up late, going to class, working, studying, and going to church, along with other random responsibilities. I hope my blogging is not affected, but it may be. Anyways, that's not the point. There's more: my family has just gotten the opportunity to open our own business, my dad's dream come true, but it will be a ton of work. Finally, and most importantly, change is coming to our church. Revival is about to start. Its the greatest thing ever, I am so excited, but its going to take a lot of dedication and commitment. But hey, that's what "Reaching Forward" is all about, right?