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My family left yesterday for our vacation to Tennessee.  We will spend one day with Bethany's family in Paris.  Then we head to Nashville for the International Christian Retail Show at Opryland Hotel.  I am looking forward to some time off from work and spending it with my family.  The family has attended ICRS in the past and have enjoyed the free books and giveaways. Here are a few pictures from Paris and ICRS in the past:

On my trip to Nashville to visit Byron Yawn, he recommend the book below so I purchased it.  As he explained, there are many writing about the practice of justification, but this book focuses on the root which is theology of justification.

My first trip for my sabbatical was to the St. Louis area to visit with Jason Zellmer and Jason Meyer from Peine Ridge Church in Wentzville, MO.  The second visit took me to Community Bible Church in Nashville, TN where I talked with lead pastor, Byron Yawn and also visited friends from Liberate 2015, Arnie & Marci Preheim. Both of these trips were valuable as I learned several things from each location.  Here are a few things I learned: SIMPLE-At Peine Ridge Church, their philosophy of ministry is simple.  They do a few things and seek to do them well.  For example, they do not have Sunday School or age segregated small groups.  This leads to the second things I observed and learned. ALL AGES TOGETHER-Peine Ridge does not separate parents from kids very often.  They do have a ministry for children 5 and under during the worship time.  I was interested in visiting a Peine Family gathering and was both surprised and impressed.  I would make ...

This week, I am on my first trip for sabbatical.  I am visiting pastors at churches in Wentzville (near St. Louis) and Nashville.  Below are the two churches I am visiting:     Community Bible Church http://www.cbcnashville.org/ There are three priorities which are at the heart of all we do here at Community Bible Church—God’s Glory, God’s Grace, and God’s Word. The exaltation of the Glory of God in the Cross through the finished work of Christ is the aim of all our ministry. It is our desire and privilege to proclaim the Excellencies of His Grace to the world around us (I Peter 2:9). The Grace of God in Christ Jesus Our Savior has abounded to all those who know Him. We are committed to sharing the mercy of Our Savior’s Sacrifice with all who come through our doors and with all whom we encounter in our community (I Peter 4:10). Submitting all our lives to the Gospel of God’s Redeeming Work , depending upon its power,...

I am excited and thankful for my sabbatical which begins tomorrow, May 1st and goes through July 31, 2015. I appreciate the opportunity provided to me by my church, Hesston MB.  To me, this is a great blessing and sign of a healthy church as they allow their staff to take time to grow as individuals and leaders.  Below are my tentative plans as shared with the congregation. Sabbatical 2015   Dates: May-July 2015 As I prepare to go on Sabbatical in the summer of 2015, I have been praying about what this time of refreshment, renewal, and relaxation should include.   Here are a few possibilities: ·         Time of prayer & reflection   ·         Attendance at various churches to observe what their Sunday morning looks like   ·         Visits to specific churches who are ministering effectively to children, couples and fami...