Sickness?

Yeah, right now Jennie is sick, and has been for a few days now. I guess she can't take anything for it - except Tylenol for the headache - because it would affect the breastfeeding scenario.

Notice how, in the above paragraph, I explained that Tylenol is a drug that is used to cure headaches. And you didn't think reading my blogger would be educational.

Uh, speaking of education, I guess I am going after some. Because I wanted some sort of challenge, discipline, and further training in leadership, preaching, and ministry, I have applied for (and been accepted into) the Doctor of Ministry degree program at Denver Seminary.

I suppose it doesn't hurt that our friends Tim & Suzanne Cooper are moving to Denver as well, in less than two weeks. I can't believe it - less than two weeks! Major props to you guys for "taking the plunge" and heading towards full-time ministry. I wouldn't trade my on-campus seminary experience for anything, and I know you guys will be challenged and encouraged more than ever before.

So, I like Denver because it has the Coopers, some terrific professors (like Haddon Robinson and Erwin McManus), and incredible scenery (mountains). Jennie and I might try to sandwich a vacation around one of my classes there in the next 3-4 years. You know what they say, "When in Denver..."

My first class is January 10-14, 2004 - but the reading and research starts now. I have been getting books on eBay, and have almost finished two books already.

If you haven't guessed, I do love to read, and I am on kind of a roll right now. Books I am currently actually trying to finish right now include...

- Sacred Parenting - by Gary Thomas - a great book for parents about how God uses the parenting process to build your own character, faith, and attitude in many ways. I'm currently on chapter 4, and reading through this with a small group of guys.

- The Search to Belong - by Joe Myers - after seeing this book several times in stores and thinking I should read it some day, this book wound up as required reading material in my first class with Denver. I got it today, and am already on page 90. A thought-provoking book so far, that I'll probably post more thoughts on in the future.

- Angels and Demons - by Dan Brown - the prequel to Da Vinci Code, and I'm a third of the way through this one. This one deals with an ancient society of scientists called the "Illuminati" and their long-time vendetta against the Catholic church. So far, this book is just as exciting and engaging as The Da Vinci Code, but with fewer characters and fewer secret codes or mysteries.

- The Journey Toward Relevance - by Kary Oberbrunner - just a few chapters left, I just keep forgetting to bring it with me to the YCMA. I like to read as I ride the bike. Kary's book gives us a good framework for thinking about how we interact with culture today.

Yikes - I guess that's enough for now. I also read the Bible, and am studying James and some of the Old Testament prophets.