That’s the name of the two college churches that I got to visit with over the weekend.  These two churches combine each year for a very cool fall retreat of fun, teaching, and fellowship.

I had the distinct and thoroughly enjoyable privilege of being the speaker this year.  I took them through an abbreviated version of the Faith Lift Conference.  I always enjoy the conference whenever I do it.  It’s exciting to share the wonderful and rich truths of God’s Gospel.  There is always a core of receptive people and warm hearted fellowship.  I’ve never failed to enjoy the time.

However, I have to say that sometimes there is something unique in the connection, some refreshment that flows back to me in the learning and fellowship, something visible in the eager learning and visible aha moments.  This was one of those times.

So to Cornerstone and Illinilife, this is a thank you!

Thank you for the seriousness with which you approach the possibility of growth; thanks for the lightheartedness with which you approach life.  Thanks for matching me in generosity of giving (I rarely receive as much chocolate as I give out!).  It was a solid pleasure to mingle among the small groups and see the honest discussions, the open sharing, the direct questions and the challenges.

I avoid names in my blog, so understand that the following specific thanks are nameless by intention and not forgetfullness.

Thanks to all who welcomed me to your tables at meals, for asking sincere questions and being willing to discuss difficult issues.

Thank you to the attentive questioner who asked for and then allowed me to share more of my story, of my struggles and God’s victories.  You then took his understanding of these things and assimilated them into your own small group leadership.

Thanks to all the small group leaders, who did such an excellent job of following the Holy Spirit’s leading more thoroughly than you followed my skeletal guidance.  Thank you for the way you grasped the essence of the issues and encouraged the right questions.  Thank you for your openness in your own questions and discussions.

Thank you to the students who shared their tears and hesitantly moved towards truths they had never yet shared.  Thank you for accepting my small, possibly ignorant, but sincerely caring attempts to provide some perspective to help you being to make the journey toward healing.

Thank you to the fellow staffers who discussed with me the perils and privileges of GCM staff.

Thank you to the Jewish convert for the seriousness with which you approach scripture and the willingness to challenge and be challenged.  Each of was was quite passionate about our position, but we were, I trust, able to share our passion without offense or lack of civility.  This I appreciate very much.

Thank you to all the worship leaders for your obvious heart and passion, not only in leading the worship, but in enjoying it when others lead.

Thanks to the conversationalist who managed to track with  me from sharpies to sharpas to sharpeis to llamas to whether the dali lived in a mansion or on a mountain or both!

Thank you to the women and men of “sound” mind who made the worship resonate and accomodated my wanderings up the middle of the aisle without feedback.

Speaking of a different kind of feedback, thank you sincerely for being willing to take the extra time to give me your feelings and thoughts, to write your encouragements, to let me know where I connected, where the Holy Spirit used my words to affirm the words he was already speaking.  Teaching means nothing to me if it does not connect in real and significant ways with the hearers.  Your words of appreciation and testimony mean more to me than you can really know.

Thanks also in deep sincerity for those of you willing to take the risk to speak of your concerns, to speak critically of how I may have communicated less adequately.  (Two special assurances I want to make:  For the writers of one of these critiques, know that it was obvious to me from the beginning that the group was largely full of serious, intelligent God-seeking youth.  Any communication otherwise which seemed to condescend was neither my feelings, nor my intention.  Put it down to imperfect communication on my part.  Let me address another anonymous critiuqer  who is clearly passionate about helping people overcome deceptions in their life and find healing and victory, I rejoice that God is leading you towards this and do not intend to dismiss any career choice God is leading you to.  I affirm and delight that such a career is not devoid of godly men and women, but that our world would certainly be blessed to have another one in you!  I rejoice that you would seek to help others in this way and do not feel, nor did I intend to communicate that I am dimissive of the field as a whole.)

Thanks to all of you who helped me with your thoughtful critiques to make once again any needed changes or modifications to move more clearly toward the words that God would speak with minimal distraction from me.

And thanks of course to the Shepherds who invited me out for this, and who gave such encouragement and took such good care of me throughout.  Thanks to JT for playing middleman and chauffeur and conversationalist.  Hope your fishing was good.  Thanks to JT’s wife for the hospitality and the best meal of the weekend.

Thanks to WW for taking the effort and time to get to know me a little bit and more for being so transparent and real yourself.  You’re the silliest, non-silly guy I ever met!

Thanks to KH who worked so hard to meet even my last minute whims (a write board!  yeah, let’s do that!) and who, along with T, worked to make sure that everything flowed smoothly.

Anyway thanks to all you guys and gals.  I had a great time!

Two notes for all of you.

1) I want to email all of you who gave me your email address, but being handwritten not all the addresses are clear.  I will do my best to decipher, but if you did give me your email address, or even if you didn’t and you want to hear back from me please, consider emailing me (or just post a comment here.)  My email address is Pastormac_@mac.com

2)  If you think the conference worthwhile for others, don’t forget that a great way to support the ministry is to visit the online store  www.cafepress.com/faithlift  and purchase shirts, mugs, cds or any number of other possible items related to the principles of the conference.  Don’t forget about the C2it study!

3) Consider visiting my blog now and then and leaving me a comment.  I’d love to hear from you.  Really!

4)  I obviously can’t count!

Blessings upon your life!