Reflections on Tulsa Workshop

It 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