Conference on the Holy Spirit

Note of Clarification: Nobody has been anything but loving and cordial to me with regard to this conference. I fear that I might be giving the wrong impression. My nervousness comes from the inside, not the outside. My image of things "going badly" has only to do with me getting flustered and messing up. I've no worries about being tarred and feathered or run out of town on a rail. Indeed, I'm looking forward to enjoying Pastor McKissic's hospitality, which has always been world-class in my experience. Re-reading this post, I wanted to make crystal-clear my utmost confidence in the charity of Pastor McKissic and my expectation that all present will honor Christ.

Two weeks from today I will be presenting at the Conference on the Holy Spirit in Arlington. I would welcome the prayer support of anyone willing to give it. I'm a little nervous for a few reasons:

1. Robin Foster and I are about as outnumbered on the panel as Martin Luther was at the Diet of Worms (although the disagreements are, I hope, much much friendlier).
2. I am slow mentally. By that, I do not mean that I am unintelligent—I'm just vain enough to think that I am somewhat intelligent—I simply mean that I do best when I can ponder things slowly and at leisure rather than immediately in a high-stress situation. Oral exams were…well, I haven't seen a therapist about the experience…yet. My oral exam for my pilot's license was even worse. On the other hand, my dissertation was one of the most fun things I've ever done. I much prefer to sit down, take my time, and write. My participation in the panel discussion, Q&A, or whatever else might be planned, makes me nervous.
3. If things don't go well, I have a really long list of people who have advised me not to participate in this conference under any circumstances, and it will be August before I've been through all of the "I told you so"s.
4. Most importantly, my confidence in the position I am defending makes me even more nervous. As far as this conference goes, this entire viewpoint rides exclusively on the shoulders of Robin and myself. Do poorly, and detractors will attribute as weakness of the position what is in reality the weakness of the presenters (I am speaking of myself, Robin).

So, I suspect that Robin would appreciate your prayers. I know that I would.