When I was at the Christian Book Expo, I had the amazing experience of being with some of my favorite intelligences up close and personal. It was the kind of week where you look up at a lunch table of 3 and realize your lunch partner, whom you’ve been having discussions with is none other than Lee Strobel, The Case for Christ’s author. He had a radio interview in a few moments from when we were eating together at lunch, and I happened to know where a land line was for the call, so we spent about 5 minutes walking together and then later, Mr. Strobel was kind enough to come back and find me for a picture for my keepsake…is that kind or what? He was so gracious and sharing and I appreciate his kindness and his writings!
Dr. James Packer, one of my Christian theology heroes of our century led an afternoon session. Dr. Packer is widely regarded as one of the most important Protestant theologians today. He has stated that the Anglican Church of Canada has been “poisoned” by a liberal theology that “knows nothing of a God who uses [the Bible] to teach us today” He spoke tenderly of the God he knows, of God’s great love for us, of how God drew him at about twenty and how he has spent his life studying and learning this God who loves him so. I was so intrigued, delighted, and breath taken at his sharing of his intimacy with God…and in his clipped British accent, when I teased him that did he ever know he would become God’s poster boy he replied without missing a beat “If God had intended for me to indeed be the poster boy for Christianity, it seems he should have given me a better face” and then smiled greatly as we posed for a picture….I have to tell you I have studied his works for years and I am so glad in my heart to have been able to spend time with him this side of heaven!
Stan and Jan Berenstain created The Berenstain Bears books , their son Michael has continued the family business writing and drawing the latest of the books. They are all legends in American story books for children. I was over the moon to get to sit down with the children and get to hear him read his latest books, I am sure I was the only adult in the crowd down front, but a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do! As a teacher, I used the books regularly in classroom environments and always in my summer reading programs in Arkansas! At home they are still a family favorite!

I’ve been home a week from all that God shared with me during my week at the Christian Book Expo…but unlike Cinderella, the ball definately did not end at midnight, no carriages changed to pumpkins, the coachmen are still in Dallas…this amazing dance with my King is indeed continuing and I never intend to leave His presence!
God is good, and I am simply amazed at His works!