Reflections on Tulsa Workshop
Author: Bobby Valentine | Filed under: Bobby's World, Ministry, PreachingIt is Monday morning here in the land of Saguaros and Scorpions. The sun is shining, the skies are blue and I am wearing shorts and flip flops. All of which are alien to Tulsa this past week. We had more rain in the couple days I was there than we have in 8 months in Tucson. And then it snowed! Yes snow!!
Yet the Tulsa Workshop was wonderful. I arrived on Wednesday and found out that all the cars in Tulsa had been rented out … but I still had my room at the Inn!! I attended church with some friends in Bixby and then crashed. Thursday I took in the first of Rick Atchley’s “Born Again Identity” which was so good I attended his next classes and got the CDs. John Dobbs on blogging was next. I regret that I did not get to spend as much time with John and a few other friends as I was hoping too. Edward Fudge gave out some wise tips on being Revolutionary People and later Don McLaughlin on ministry to Addicts/Alcoholics in the name of Jesus. Loyd Harris blessed us too.
Friday I was back to hear Rick Atchley’s final presentation. Afterwards I was privileged to go to Taco Cabana and get to know him better. It is amazing how God works sometimes. Over a Dr. Pepper and cheese dip God moved. I was able to pick Edward Fudge’s mind a little about K. C. Moser and met Randy Hughes who knew Moser too.
I was unable to take in Harold Shank’s two part presentation on “Listen to the Heartbeat.” But I got them on CD and have devoured both already. I value Shank for many reasons. He calls us to use ALL of God’s Scripture to inform our mission in this world and then he actually powerfully models that call in his own preaching. His sermons powerfully demonstrate how important the Hebrew Bible is to our walk and task before Yahweh. If you haven’t heard these … get the CDs HERE.
In Tulsa I hit up McAlister’s a wonderful sandwich shop unknown to the desert. Went to Longhorn steak house on Thursday night and Hideaway Pizza for lunch on Friday. I did not make it to Casa Bonita which is nearly a crime.
So much of a workshop, like Tulsa, is the fellowship. I caught up with old friends Victor Knowles, Larry Fitzgerald, Greg Taylor, Suzy Brown and Sherri Griffin. I made new friends like Patrick Mead, Steve Tucker, Trey Morgan, Brad Palmore, Brian Nicklaus (the Blog Prophet) and Red Hot Momma (Amanda Sanders) … all bloggers. One of the funnest events was the blogger luncheon on Saturday. Snow and outer darkness made it memorable! Theobloggers did a great job hosting though.
Going to convention would not be complete if I did not pick up a book. I only bought one book this year which is not normal but this one book weighs a ton: The Transforming Word One Volume Commentary on the Bible hot off the press from ACU Press. I have been pleased so far with it and plan on writing a review asap for my blog.
Check out this list of blogs on the Tulsa Workshop HERE
It is good to be home but I look forward to Pepperdine … and next year.
Shalom,
Bobby V
March 30th, 2009 at 8:31 pm
Wish I could have been there. Just too much to do with a new job and getting a house ready to sell. Maybe, hopefully, next year. But knowing that it snowed takes some of the disappointment out of it for me. After the coldest January on record for this part of the country, I was glad to be here for Spring-like weather. Imagine that. Ohio was nicer than Oklahoma (until last night when it snowed again).
Only one book? From whence this newfound discipline?
March 31st, 2009 at 1:12 am
Great to see you Bobby. I would have liked an hour with you … but it’s all so frantic.
God bless you!
March 31st, 2009 at 1:22 am
Glad to meet you too! You are a renaissance man.
March 31st, 2009 at 12:25 pm
It was great to meet you. It’s always nice to put a face and personality to a blog. 🙂
Glad you had a safe trip home…
March 31st, 2009 at 12:26 pm
PS – Rick Atchley’s stuff was excellent.
March 31st, 2009 at 7:04 pm
Good classes, great food, and even better fellowship – you just can’t beat it. Being a Florida boy, snow would have been a serendipity.
April 1st, 2009 at 12:04 am
Well, I was there, but I missed you.
Had a good time too 🙂
April 1st, 2009 at 4:46 am
I wish I would have met you. I just didn’t get to much this year. Maybe next.
April 1st, 2009 at 7:02 pm
I’m Jealous, it looks like on your way up you could have stopped in Payson and picked up a brother in need of spiritual food.
Glad you could make it and thanks for the report.
April 1st, 2009 at 8:34 pm
I was hoping to be there too, but got sick and did not have it in me to drive 11 hours. Hopefully next time.
April 2nd, 2009 at 1:58 am
I had a good time, too. Thanks for being so open and friendly. I was honored to meet you.
And, believe it or not, I made it home without buying a book. You know you’re getting old when you look at a book and wonder if it’s worth carrying the extra weight home with you. Nah… I’ll go to Amazon…
April 3rd, 2009 at 3:40 pm
The highlight of my 20 years of attending the Pepperdine lectures was having at least one meal with Edward Fudge and taking in his wisdom and insights.
April 3rd, 2009 at 4:19 pm
I am going to try to go next year. It sounds like it was a great spiritual experience. We need those spiritual renewal events from time to time. Next ACU Summit. 🙂 Can’t wait!!!!
April 14th, 2009 at 12:16 am
bobby V. You are one I wish I could have spent more time with. I am enjoying getting to know you more inpersonally, and look forward to the time we can talk personally!
God Bless my friend!