New Attitude by Motte Brown on May 12, 2008 at 8:18 PM

It's that time of year again. You know, when we make our annual trek to Louisville, KY for the New Attitude conference. I always look forward to the worship, teaching, and fellowship. So edifying.

This year The Boundless Show host Lisa Anderson will be with me. She'll help out with the booth and take the lead on the interviews we've scheduled with Josh Harris, Mark Dever and Albert Mohler. I'm sorry to report, though, that John Piper gave us the big dis (not really) when we requested an interview -- something about going on hiatus from interviews because of a book he's writing.

Oh, and we'll be debuting the Boundless Magazine. It's a prototype of what we hope will become a regular quarterly print publication with all exclusive content. Be one of the first to receive it by signing-up on our interest list. Much more on this later.

As for the prototype, it's got all exclusive content too and we're hoping to have our PDF version available soon. But if you want a hard copy, you'll just have to come to Louisville and drop by our booth at New Attitude.

So who's going?

Comments

[1. Anna had the following to say on May 12 at 8:43 PM:]

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I've been looking forward to Na ever since the final session of last year. I went for the first time last year, and even though it was my first Christian conference and I was the only one from my church I had an absolutely amazing weekend.
I would encourage anyone to pray about attending. The teaching and worship were a slice of heaven. I had no idea that much of what I learned that weekend would be end up being absolutely essential to getting through some big decisions and tough times this past year. God used that weekend to equip me in a big way.

Said it last year, and I'll say it again now: some of the best money I've ever spent in my life.

Plus, they have Ninjas!!! How can you say no to that?

[2. Anna had the following to say on May 12 at 9:31 PM:]

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*Raises hand* I am! I am so excited!!! It's my first time.

[3. BDB had the following to say on May 12 at 9:33 PM:]

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Looks like Amir could drive to the conference.

[4. Amy P. had the following to say on May 12 at 10:35 PM:]

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I've gotta tell you. I have just been waiting for Boundless to move to paper. Afterall, the sponsor is Focus on the Family and they are well known for their print publications...

I just figured that it was a matter of time until the announcement came...

[5. Dave had the following to say on May 12 at 10:50 PM:]

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Is the planned introduction of [or move to?] print an attempt to increase the financial sustainability of Boundless? (I imagine that most readers of this site aren't forking out cash, but most magazine readers would probably be).

[6. Jess M had the following to say on May 12 at 11:39 PM:]

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Just signed the interest thing. I'm in Australia, will I be able to get hard copies of the mag too?

[7. Dr. Ransom had the following to say on May 13 at 6:04 AM:]

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I'm going, Motte -- and unlike last year, this time I'm bringing several friends along as well, including some very special guests from Texas. ...

Indeed the conference is extremely edifying, depth-minded and solidly Christ-centered. Josh Harris, Eric Simmons, Mark Dever, CJ Mahaney, John Piper and others help spread Deep Doctrinal Magic everywhere, keeping the balance very well between having fun at a unique event and making sure to avoid the phenomenon of "conference hype" that's prevalent at some events.

Harris, in particular, specifically addressed that point in the closing message of New Attitude 2006 -- one of my favorite moments of that conference.

“It’s possible with a conference like this,” Harris continued, “to start to feel like, really spiritual. You know, man, I think I’ve reached a new level! I haven’t been dealing with the same temptations that I used to deal with — it’s all different. You know, friend, you haven’t had time to sin!” Here at New Attitude, we haven’t given you time with our schedule. “You haven’t had a spare minute to sin!

“Those old desires are present, wanting to draw us back in,” Harris said. “We’re no longer slaves to our sin, but there is an insurgency out there that does not want to accept the rule of this new King.

“If you don’t understand that, you’re going to go home, and you’re going to be disillusioned. Because you are going to be tempted, and, because of the reality of sin, you are going to sin at some point. And are you going to have a tight grip on the Gospel at that moment?

“Satan’s going to show up. Isn’t his timing always perfect, when he wants to show up and have a conversation?

“You come back from New Attitude with a spiritual high, and then you fall back into sin.” Harris continued. And the Devil will sneer, “Ohhh. Is that the New Attitude? Looks like the old attitude to me. … Oh. Boy. Disrespected your parents again, huh? Spoke in that way.

“And he’s going to say, You know what? I think God is really displeased with you right now. I mean, you know, I know you don’t trust me, ‘cause I’m the Devil, but as a friend, let me tell you … all that singing, and all that dancing, didn’t really mean anything … You can’t really change, Nick. Jessie, you’re not going to get over this. And right now, God is saying, Promises, promises … You’re just the same person.

“Oh, friend. Hold tight to the Gospel in that moment. Do not let go of it, and do not believe the lies of the enemy that wants to destroy you, that wants to draw you into self. … In that moment, hold up your hand and say, Christ died for my sin! … Yes, Satan, I’m a sinner; I’m worthy of God’s judgment, I’m filthy!” And what of it? you may ask in defiance of the Tempter.

“And in those moments, you’ve got to speak the truth of the Gospel to yourself,” Harris said. “You’ve got to remember that you didn’t earn anything while you were here. … It was God Who chose you. It was God Who drew you. It was His Son who was crushed for your iniquities and your transgressions, so you could be forgiven. We add nothing to our justification, our standing before God.”

I'm curious: for those who've attended previous conferences, what might be the most and most growth-intensive moments for you?

[8. JessicaF had the following to say on May 13 at 7:22 AM:]

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I'll be there! :) Looking forward to meeting you all!

[9. Sarah P. had the following to say on May 13 at 7:36 AM:]

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I'm going, although to tell the truth I am a little ambivalent. A few years ago I would have been super excited, but now I'm just going because I am curious to see what it's like. :) I guess I am not a big fan of spiritual "highs" any more, and I am more looking for important insights of wisdom that I can add to the steady, consistent, daily stock. :)

[10. Rachael had the following to say on May 13 at 7:41 AM:]

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I'm not going to the conference, but that's neat that a couple of you (Boundless people) will be there. It would be fun to meet you. I discovered Boundless last Fall and have benefitted a lot from several of the articles, posts, and comments. I'll remember this time of Boundlessing; thank you very much.

Boundless and other internet sources have also served as inspirations for my own writing. I think "secretly" (not really secret right now I guess) my kind-of ideal job would be to write part-time (and maybe still teach a bit). Probably will never pursue that, but, you never know...

Anyway, thanks so much for all you do. This has been a blessing in my life. Thank you so much.

[11. Sarah had the following to say on May 13 at 11:32 AM:]

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Oh I wish I were coming! But I'll be visiting Germany during that time. I know, poor me. ;-) I do hope to make it to the NA conference some year. I've seen the web page and listened to some of the audio and it sounds like a great time of community learning and encouragement.

Hope everyone else has a good time there!

[12. Savannah had the following to say on May 13 at 3:16 PM:]

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I will be attending my fourth year! I'm very excited as this year I will also be working the NA check-in from 2-5:30pm! Stop by and say, "Hey!"

[13. Tiffany Anne had the following to say on May 13 at 3:37 PM:]

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I'm going and I'm so excited! It's my 2nd year. ^_^

[14. Emily R. had the following to say on May 13 at 5:44 PM:]

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I have been hearing about NA for many, many years, and I am excited to be attending this year with my sisters, Hannah and Abby. I HIGHLY look forward to hopefully meeting some of the Boundless team. (I plan to listen to the Boundless Podcast during the drive there!)

[15. Nicole had the following to say on May 13 at 8:01 PM:]

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I've been attending Na since 2006 and I'm very excited to see Boundless at Na. I was actually introduced to Boundless at the conference last year. The conference is one of the huge highlights of my year and it'll be great to see some of you (the collective you - both Boundless writers and Boundless readers) there. :)

[16. EM had the following to say on May 13 at 8:43 PM:]

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I attended for about 4 years and then I haven't been for the last three years. I'm going back this year...

[17. Carrie (the original) had the following to say on May 14 at 9:04 AM:]

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I was hoping to go this year, but will not be able to make it. Maybe next year! I really would like to meet the Boundless staff.

[18. Ben_W had the following to say on May 14 at 2:27 PM:]

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Hey Sarah, Germany is MOST BEAUTIFUL in May - you will love it...

just that I am stuck in Germany all the way til end of July and won't be able to attend NA or other things in the states.

There was a big convention in Germany called "Cristival" and there will be some other catholic convention in June (I guess). So you won't run out of opportunities to meet people ;)

[19. Adrienne Renea from Texas had the following to say on May 15 at 8:34 AM:]

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I'll be there! This is my first year :c) I look forward to stopping by your booth!