I have been enjoying doing more reading this fall. I always do a lot of reading over the summer, because at Berea and up at the lake, there isn't TV. I come home and when I have down time, I tend to veg in front of the TV (and there isn't much down time to begin with). So this fall I resolved to keep the TV off more and read instead. Here is the current list as well as the recently completed list. Here are the books I recently finished. They were really fantastic and I learned a lot. So, do you notice the irony of me finishing two books on war and reading two books on peacemaking? I just noticed that. :) Oh, and here is the book that Sarah and I are reading together. That is pretty slow going because we don't always have time to read.

I am immensely excited about the response to the Peacemaking Church Bible Studies. Many people have signed up, to the point of needing to open up another study to accommodate everyone. Tomorrow marks the beginning of the study. I think this has the potential to really grow and strengthen the church. Fights and disputes are inevitable, but, as I have seen many times, often people's reactions are worse than the original issue. It never ceases to amaze me the anger, grudges, and attitudes that christian people will adopt. They will proclaim a love of God but will give people the silent treatment. This series will help strengthen us to deal with our differences and disagreements in a more mature Christian way and make sure, even when we disagree about big things, that we can still display the love of God to one another. Thank you to all who are helping make this work!!

I saw an article on CNN this morning that really cracked me up. It shows that even "smart people" can be kind of silly, especially when it comes to politics. Now I don't care whether you agree with Obama or not. I'm not defending or discussing his policies, but this was funny. This woman who supported Hillary and was a member of the Democratic National Committee' Platform Committee will now support and endorse McCain. But here are her reasons.

“This is a hard decision for me personally because frankly I don't like him,” she said of Obama in an interview with CNN’s Joe Johns. “I feel like he is an elitist. I feel like he has not given me reason to trust him.” Forester is the CEO of EL Rothschild, a holding company with businesses around the world. She is married to international banker Sir Evelyn de Rothschild. Forester is a member of the DNC’s Democrats Abroad chapter and splits her time living in London and New York.

So, Obama, who lives in Chicago, just paid off his and his wife's student loans two years ago, who is by all accounts a down home, loving dad, is considered an elitist by a woman who is the CEO of an international holding company married to an international banker who lives in London and New York? Regardless of your politics, that's just funny!!

Well, slowly things are getting back to normal.

• Sarah has the kitchen close to all put back.
• The living room still needs some work. The stove is not ready to be installed yet, but we are almost done there.
• I am starting to get caught up on all the fall kick-off stuff I need to do.

We are working hard to get all the arrangements for the Peacemaking Church Bible Studies. Beth is doing great work. It isn't easy, but I think this study is really going to strengthen the church. Tonight I worked hard on this week's and next week's sermon which will go with the study. I am learning a lot and looking forward to how God is going to use this in my life as well as in the life of the church. Nate is working to get settled in. We need to do an official welcome. We are working on an installation service, but we also need to really help him settle in. He is doing a great job making contact with people and visiting. I am excited to see the ministry that God is going to do through Nate. Tomorrow is Esther's first official day of Kindergarten (homeschool). She and mommy are excited. I can't believe she is five already!! We took the kids to Agricultural Awareness day at the fair Monday morning. It was a lot of fun and the kids did great. They enjoyed some of the different demonstrations, especially where they made cider. We also got to see several people from church and express love to some friends that we haven't seen as much of late. I can't believe the Red Sox blew it in the ninth inning!!!!!!!! Arghh!! Nathan asked to go to bed early. He was really tired after a full day (they went to Papa & Nana's house today). As I tucked him in, sang some Bible songs with Him and prayed with him while just stroking his hair as he settled in, I felt such a joy and blessing. There is no greater blessing in my life than my wife and kids. There are a lot of things I love doing, and ministry is a great work, but kneeling beside my son's bed, or reading to my daughter, or cradling Micah and just talking with him, what can beat that?

Well, I think we are finally going to be able to leave to get a few days of vacation at the lake. Sarah and her mom have been working to put the kitchen back together and I have been working on getting a lot of things taken care of and a lot of people talked to. I had some great time meeting with different people. Some really rewarding time with brothers in the Lord who just needed some encouragement. There are so many more that I wish I could spend time with, but I just don't have enough hours in the day. I will admit that I am taking a little work with me to finish up while I'm at the lake, but I'll be good overall, I promise. :)