What it takes to be a missionary

Heard Nick Fowler, missionary to Belém, Brazil, sponsored by the Mt Juliet TN congregation, teach class tonight. Enjoyed his dynamic discussion about the gospel and decisions on what it takes to be a missionary. His wife Amy taught a ladies class, says The Missus. We enjoyed meeting Nick at Polishing the Pulpit last week and getting to visit a bit with him.

• Seems more complicated getting appointments set up with churches this time around, is most certainly my dullness or slowness.

• Come be with us for the Preachers Files Lectures in Middleton, Tenn., Sept. 6-8. I speak Saturday on "You can be sure of the power of the gospel." I'm still seeing how we're going to get from here to there.

• The Concise Bible Commentary I bought real cheap (about $2 or so) is very concise. Especially in the Psalms, where I've been reading of late. Overall, I wonder if it is too much so to be of much use. Stay tuned.

• Tomorrow night, a meet with the Mt Juliet missions committee, at their request; at least, that's the word I got.

• One suggestion, among many good ones, given tonight in Nick's class on what's necessary to be a missionary: "Have faith." Sounds simplistic, but it's one of the basic ones. If you don't really believe that it's the Lord's will that the gospel be taken to all peoples in all places, you'll stay home. If you really believe it, you will go. Have faith, will travel.

First half-day at Polishing the Pulpit

A mid-afternoon pause in our first day, first time, at Polishing the Pulpit, in Sevierville, TN. Have seen quite a few old and new friends. Good sessions by Todd Clippard, on motivations for evangelism, and Phil Sanders, on evangelistic studies.

We got in quite late last night so we went straight to the hotel. We registered at PTP this morning after a good breakfast at a local shop just down the street.

Great lunch with Stephen Bradd family. Thanks for the treat, guys! Their five sons are a hoot. All boy, those boys.

A great blessing after such a short start.