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Books I Read In January 2018

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I’m trying to do a better job this year of keeping track of books I’ve completed reading.  For those who are curious about how I do this, I use Evernote and have a note called “Books I’ve Read in 2018” which I add to as I finish a book.  There are some books/things, I’m always working in like the Bible (I use ESV in daily reading and rotate translations depending on what I’m studying), Sonship (a course I’m working through with a mentor), as well as Crestview’s Leadership Pipeline material.

In January 2018, though, I was able to finish the following (some of these for the 2nd time):

Desiring the Kingdom – James K. A. Smith
Imagining The Kingdom – James K. A. Smith
Many in my theological circles are raving about these books.  I found them helpful in propelling a Christian worldview and engaging the culture
Night Driving – Chad Bird
I love Chad Bird’s honest, thought-provoking, Gospelicious devotional insights and this didn’t disappoint.
Building a Story Brand – Donald Miller
I preordered this book and finally finished it this month.  Miller helps people carrying content to the masses (be it business or any other piece of information) in ways that resonate and help them want more.
When – Daniel Pink
I heard an interview with Pink on Donald Miller’s Storybrand podcast and found this to be a helpful way of considering time.
J.I. Packer’s article “Theology and Wisdom” in The Way of Wisdom
I did some reading this month on wisdom literature in the Bible and this article by Packer was excellent.
This was a fun read on preaching and helping us say what we need to say for modern ears.  Again, I slowed down a bit and worked through the section on wisdom literature.  But overall, this book was encouraging.
The Holy Spirit is underrated in many of the theological circles I find myself at home in.  And, this book by Jared Wilson didn’t disappoint.  I preordered to get some extras from the author.   If you’re looking for a great dive into the person and work of the Holy Spirit, I’d highly recommend this.
So, it’s been a productive January (in terms of reading).  I’m looking forward to what February holds.

Leadership Reno County 2018 Is Rolling

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Yesterday I highlighted my involvement with Youth Leadership Reno County.  I had a super busy weekend last weekend.  After the trip to Topeka with Youth Leadership, I traveled to Hesston on Thursday and Friday to help kick off the adult Leadership Reno County program.  It’s another program of the Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce.  I love the vision our local Chamber has to build the bandwidth of people in the community.  They recognize that for our community to make progress, some leadership development has to be pursued among the people who are engaging in acts of leadership in our community.  We use the principles and competencies of the Kansas Leadership Center to help our participants have a meaningful experience.  We also do some work to help orient them to both the problems and opportunities that our community affords them.  We’re looking forward to seeing this class engage in acts of leadership for the good of our community.

 

Wrap of Youth Leadership Reno County

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I’m privileged to facilitate Youth Leadership Reno County with Amy Conkling.  We’re a program of the Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce and enjoy a remarkable partnership with local public and private school districts.  Thirty-two 7th and 8th (four from each public/private school in Reno County) participate in our program.  We usually kick off in late October and go until late January/early February.  We get to experience so many great things about Reno County.  And, in a deeper way, I’m very grateful for the deep work that our students do around leadership challenges they face.  This year, I had students working on projects related to fundraising for important school infrastructure (in the private schools), offering electives, how rumors in local communities affect student morale, relationships between teachers and students, bullying, helping students in districts maintain eligibility, and how a shrinking enrollment affects local school life.  Digging into challenges like these can be daunting for any of us, but these students considered what their purpose was, who stakeholders were on these issues, how they might find a collective purpose with those stakeholders, as well as some experiments they could try.  Our program culminates with a trip to Topeka where we get to meet the governor and local legislators.  We had graduation this past Sunday at 1 PM.  It was a full year, but I’m grateful to get to be a part of the work of such amazing people.

Weekend Recap – Purpose of Life Together

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On Sunday, 1/28/18, Luke preached the next sermon in Crestview’s Life Together series entitled The Purpose of Life Together.  This sermon unpacked Ephesians 4:11-16, showing what God’s heart is for us as a “together” people.  There were so many applications that extend to leadership, how we view leadership, and even how we step into living this way.  I was both helped and challenged hearing Luke’s heart and how it ties to a larger mission and vision.  I hope you’ll take some time to dig into this sermon if you didn’t get a chance.

Weekend Recap – Life Together Launch

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My 1/21/18AM sermon, God Builds Life Together, is now online.  This sermon helped kick off Crestview’s Life Together series.  We want our life together to direct us to mission and growth.  And, this sermon was my attempt to get the ball rolling.  We overviewed the Bible’s storyline to see how this notion of community was always in God’s heart.  I do hope my sermon was helpful and encourages people to consider this.  We will add content for these next few weeks to see what this might mean for us.

Weekend Preview – LifeTogether

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This coming Lord’s Day (1/21), I’ll be starting a new series at Crestview with Luke.  We’re entitling this series LifeTogether.  And, the idea behind this is that we’re digging into God’s Word to see how He intends for us to function together.   You might think that your weekend connection to the gathering of your church is sufficient, but I would like you to start seeing that as a launching point.  We need each other.  I cannot do this life alone.  I need others.  Thankfully, God’s heart is that we enjoy life together.  Join us Sunday, then, as we dig into this.

Weekend Review – As God’s Promised

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I enjoyed a great Sunday at Crestview.  As we jumped into a new year, I preached a sermon that launched our Week of Prayer.  Yesterday, Luke preached a sermon, As He’s Promised, helping remind us of the importance of God’s Word, specifically how what God has promised matters in our lives.  This sermon reminded me that Bible intake is not merely about rushing through a list or even checking it off a list.  This year, I need to take time to settle into the promises of God’s word.

This day was also fun as we kicked off some new adult Sunday School classes, a new discipleship/mentoring program with our elders, and enjoyed a Noon Meal together.  I hope you had a good Sunday, as well.

Here’s the Week of Prayer devotional if anyone still needs it: Week of Prayer Devotional 2018

Weekend Recap – Week of Prayer Launch

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My 12/31/17AM sermon, Praying to Our Father from Matthew 6:9-13, helped remind us who we’re talking to in prayer and also kicked off Crestview’s Week of Prayer.

There’s a devotional that goes with this week: Week of Prayer Devotional 2018

Further, there are gatherings each weekday at 7 AM to pray as well as a gathering at 9 AM on Saturday morning.  We hope you’ll join us to dig into God’s heart.

Week of Prayer 2018

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At Crestview, we begin each year with a week devoted to prayer.  This coming Sunday, I’ll preach on Matthew 6:9-13 and we’ll get right into a Week of Prayer.  There’s a devotional and we’re hoping for many spontaneous gatherings of prayer to come out of our body as we start 2018.  If there’s something I can pray for you, I’d be honored.  Join us Sunday at 10:15 AM as we kick off our week.

Week of Prayer Devotional 2018