I returned yesterday with Mom and our friend, Betty, from a conference at Montreat. Donald Miller was the keynote speaker, and he did a wonderful job. He is a talented speaker as well as writer. I'm sorry to say that the rest of the conference was not up to snuff. Montreat is a beautiful place, but energy and enthusiasm were lacking; also, I was only one of about four attendees under the age of 50. Donald Miller, I believe, is a voice that my generation gravitates towards (along with Rob Bell and Shane Claiborne among others), and Montreat really missed an opportunity to draw a younger crowd upon which they could capitalize; for if they do not draw in people my age, Montreat will likely cease to exist in the future.
Despite this, D.M. had so many great things to share. The following are two quotes from his talk: "Pain without a narrative context is hell." "In order to have an exceptional life, you have to have an extreme amount of pain." He talked, among other things, about the idea that God has a "specific plan" for each of us. Miller contends that this is just not a solidly Biblical idea/belief. He says that God has a general plan for each of us and that within that context we can make choices. I just loved hearing that! I am so excited to read his latest book A Million Miles in a Thousand Years - I am now the proud owner of an autographed copy!
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