My friend Al Shackleford called me last week. We talk several times a year, but generally have a conversation around July 17 each year.

Al called the office to remind me of the events which had taken place nine years ago  July 17, 1990  when we were fired from Baptist Press by the fundamentalist majority which had taken control of the SBC Executive Committee.

I suppose it shows that I have been liberated, because I did not think about it on the anniversary, Saturday, or even on Sunday, and was only reminded of the event when I picked up my phone messages Monday (July 19).

As I reflect, it was very good. I was too busy having fun with free and faithful Baptists at the annual Texas Baptists Committed convocation in the San Angelo Civic Center.

Rather than dwell on the events of the past, I was having a good time hearing wonderful speakers like Paul Powell and Ellis Orozco, Gary Parker and Dean Dickens. I was being blessed by the simple and honest music of Wes James. I was having a good time with my wife, Colleen, and in the midst of friends and supporters who are too numerous to mention.

The TBC convocation is about inspiration, renewal, revival, re-invigoration. It is not about conflict and confusion and change. As we were in San Angelo Friday and Saturday  and at Paint Rock for the informative and inspiring tour of the pictographs  it was like being with Family.

So I am grateful that I was able to non-observe the anniversary of the firing in the presence of friends, family, supporters.

Several things stand out in my memory of the convocation, one of several I have attended across the years:

1. The speakers were superb, and generally stayed with the assigned topics relating to the Kingdom of God. None strayed far into the minefield of denominational or secular politics. All were stimulating and thought provoking. It was, as David Currie said, like the old Christian Life Commission conferences which were part seminar, part fellowship, part revival and part family reunion. The speakers fostered and contributed to that atmosphere.

2. The highlight for me  and many others, as well  was the fellowship. We got to sit around the tables and talk. We chatted with old friends and met new friends. The tables were a- buzz with conversation. We just enjoyed being part of the Baptist family and being with each other for a short time.

3. Wes James was plain and simple and straightforward in his music. He is not a superstar like others who have performed at the convocation; he was unadorned and honest as he stood with his guitar and gift  the ability to touch the hearts of people with the old songs like "Have Thine Own Way, Lord," "Blessed Assurance," "In the Garden" and "Peace in the Valley." Thanks Wes.

4. It was good to see David Currie's new book: Songs in the Desert. Since I have known him for more than a decade, I think I can make a personal reflection on the book and what it implies to me. Most often, we see the "Cowboy" Currie personae: gunslinger, fighter, political activist, tough and with as many thorns as patch of prickly pear cactus.

It comes as a surprise to see the deeply spiritual "David" aspect: singer, songwriter, poet, prophet, deeply caring brother and friend. Most of us rarely see that part of his personality; he doesn't let too many people see the tender part too often.

Instead of the fundamentalist-fighting, truth-upholding, Baptist principle- defender, we get to see beneath the surface and remember who David Currie really is and can be. It is nice to remember that even the prickly pear cactus bears the sweet  if stickery  tuna (fruit).

It helps, sometime to understand the deep relationship with God which drives and motivates David to be what he is and act as he does. The TBC convocation was truly a wonderful time for a non-observance of things past, and for a celebration of things present and to come.

October 1999