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Today, I am headed to Wichita to attended The Apprentice Gathering at Friends University.  I have wanted to attend this conference for several years.  I first heard about the conference when we were using the book Good and Beautiful God by James Bryan Smith for a Sunday School class.  James Bryan Smith is a professor at Friends and will be one of the speakers.  I look forward to these few days as we focus on the theme-Journey: Living Deep in the Kingdom. Check back over the next few days for quotes from speakers.

Currently, I am reading several books on various subjects.  In my Go Deeper Hour Class, I am teaching through  Jesus Outside the Lines by Scott Sauls In preparation for Easter, I am starting a devotional during Lent published by New Growth Publishing called Journey To The Cross And then my current books for "fun" are by Lee Strobel, Sinclair Ferguson and Noel Heikkinen:

If you are a regular reader of the blog, you know I have typically posted "New Book Friday". I am out of new books as I wait for new books to arrive for Christmas. I am thankful that my family buys me books for presents.  New Book Friday will return after the New Year.  In the meantime, I will be posting "Favorite Book Friday" until the end of the year.  These are my favorite books I have read over the years.      

If you are a regular reader of the blog, you know I have typically posted "New Book Friday". I am out of new books as I wait for new books to arrive for Christmas. I am thankful that my family buys me books for presents.  New Book Friday will return after the New Year.  In the meantime, I will be posting "Favorite Book Friday" until the end of the year.  These are my favorite books I have read over the years.    

If you are a regular reader of the blog, you know I have typically posted "New Book Friday". I am out of new books as I wait for new books to arrive for Christmas. I am thankful that my family buys me books for presents.  New Book Friday will return after the New Year.  In the meantime, I will be posting "Favorite Book Friday" until the end of the year.  These are my favorite books I have read over the years.

As you know, I love to read!  Therefore, much of my Christmas list includes new books.  So, every Friday I am going to share a new book that I received this year.  You will have to return to the blog in the future to see quotes and thoughts from each of these books.

As you know, I love to read.  I have a ton of news books that I received during Christmas and for my birthday.  I am interested in what you are reading.  Share below or on Facebook some of your favorite non-fiction books.  Happy Reading!

I have not shared the books I am reading on the blog in several weeks.  Here is my current reading list: Crash the Chatterbox by Steven Furtick Scandalous by D. A. Carson Authentic by James Macdonald What's up next? Jesus > Religion by Jefferson Bethke Gospel by J.D. Greear Exploring Grace Together by Jessica Thompson What are you reading?

Yesterday, I shared thoughts from the pre-con labs.  Today, I want to focus on what God spoke to me during the D6 Conference on Thursday and Friday. D6 always does a great job reminding us about the importance of parents passing on faith to their children.  I will continue to prayerfully determine how we can best do this at Hesston MB. I noticed a strong theme of grace at this year's conference.  Tied in with grace was the importance of our identity in Christ.  For those who know me, I have been teaching often on this topic of identity and grace.  I will continue to be led by the Spirit to share the power that comes in relationship with Jesus Christ.  It is not about our strength, but instead moving from head to heart to hands. Marriage is key in the area of family ministry.  As couples, we must invest in the relationship. We need to learn best how to deal with our conflict and realize we have an Enemy who hates marriage and will do whatever he ca...

Today is Prayer for Hesston Schools. We will gather at the flagpoles of the local schools to pray for the upcoming year. Everyone is invited whether you have a child in school or if you are an interested community member. The schedule is as follows: Hesston Elementary at 7 p.m., Hesston High at 7:25 p.m., & Hesston Middle School at 7:45 p.m. I hope you will join us! As I think about the importance of prayer, I am reminded of a few people who have helped me to grow in the area of prayer. I fondly remember praying with my friend, Carol Conner at the Denver Coliseum before Acquire the Fire or Dare 2 Share or at Littleton High School before school began. Carol and I prayed weekly for our youth ministry as well. She taught me much about the ministry of prayer. Also, I remember praying with Melanie Soard for our church and other needs. We had many great conversations about prayer together. I was glad to learn from Fred Lian & others as we incorporated a prayer ...

It is time to share again what books I am reading right now. Why? Because hopefully one of the titles might interest you and you would pick up the book and be challenged. One of things I learned early in seminary was that I needed to be a lifelong learner. What this means is that even though my formal education at Denver Seminary ended, I needed to continue to grow in my knowledge and experience informally. For me, I do this through conferences and observations from others in ministry, but more consistently through reading. Sidenote : I hated reading until I graduated from seminary, but now I love sitting down with a good book to help or challenge me in ministry. Here is what I am reading right now: Home Improvement: Eight Tools for Effective Parenting by Dr. Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller Spiritual Milestones by Jim & Janet Weidmann & J. Otis & Gail Ledbetter The Blessing by John Trent & Gary Smalley Unfashionable by Tullian Tchividjian The Treasure Princi...

As my oldest kids get ready to return to school tomorrow, I am wondering about all they will learn this year at school. I also ponder how they will learn in Sunday School, Hide N Seek, and yes, at home. It is so amazing how kids are like sponges when it comes to learning. So, what about me? As my kids are being shaped in school, church, and home, what is my plan for learning this year? I remember in seminary hearing that even after graduation, we must seek to be lifelong learners. I don't know who coined the term, but it has stuck with me. We will never achieve all there is to know. Therefore, I need to have a plan or I will do nothing. I have one conference I plan to attend in September called the D6 Conference that will be a part of this process. I am continuing to read several books on marriage and parenting. I plan to be a part of a Sunday School class, lead a small group, and spend lots of time in prayer and Bible reading. I hope to get at least two day retreats to S...