Church Cabin-in

Last, last weekend I went up north for my church "advance" (as my pastor would say, "we don't 'retreat' - we 'advance!'") and it was awesome!  Of all the church retreats I've ever been on this was hands down, the best.  Not surprising, since this was my first retreat with my new church (attending since Dec '09), the first Reformed environment I've ever been in.  The theme was John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, taught by Pastor Gordon Taylor (of ARBCA) and it was excellent.  During one of the sessions, I found myself relating to the pilgrim "Christian", who was burdened by his sin even after he was saved, and it wasn't until much later at the cross where he found the joy of salvation and was relieved of his great burden.  Some people upon accepting Christ have immediate joy, but I am not one of these, indeed I rarely have assurance and joy of salvation.  Although I am a Calvininst (all five points), I act like an Armenian: "when I've attained x, y, and z, I'll feel saved".  My mentor once helpfully pointed out these great lines in "Come Ye Sinners, Poor and Wretched":

Let not conscience make you linger,
nor of fitness fondly dream;
all the fitness he requireth
is to know your need of him.

Come, you weary, heavy laden,
lost and ruined by the fall;
if you tarry till you're better,
you will never come at all.

Isn't that great?  I love these lines, and they came to mind when Pastor Taylor ended this teaching session (five in total), and coincidentally we sang it right then!

Here's a video from the weekend.