I’m buried in books for five more weeks as I complete classes for my seminary degree.  One class is a masters level Old Testament class.  I’m constantly amazed to discover how much I don’t know, but I’ve really enjoyed learning about the archeological finds and verifying manuscripts found over the years that keep on confirming biblical history.  Pray for my poor brain!

I finally submitted the proposal for a next book–one for pastor wives. I’ll pick up working on that manuscript after Christmas, so if you have any great ideas or topics you’d like to suggest for it, let me know (click “add comment” below or email me.)  This is going to be a really great one!! I really enjoy encouraging pastors’ wives, and since I’ve spent most of my life in that role, it will be really fun to share tips and encouragements for that very important group of leaders. I’ll keep you up as this project progresses.

Steve and I led a deacons and wives retreat last weekend for two southern Indiana churches, and it was such fun.  One lady shared this gift exchange game, and I thought you might enjoy using it over the Christmas holidays. (I know! I know! It’s still not Thanksgiving yet. But if I file it away, you may never see it.) We’d used it years ago, and I’d lost the script. It’s easy, quick and fun for any age.

Keep on shining!

PASS-AROUND GIFT EXCHANGE

If you have a gift-exchange at your Sunday School class party, here’s a fun way to distribute the gifts.

The group sits in a circle, and each holds a gift. As the poem is being read (with deliberate emphasis on the words “right” and “left), each person passes his gift to the person on his right or left when the words “right” or “left” are read. At the end of the story, everyone opens the gift they are holding.

‘TWAS THE NIGHT RIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

‘Twas the night RIGHT before Christmas when RIGHT through the house
Not a creature was LEFT stirring, not even a mouse–
The stockings were hung RIGHT by the chimney with care,
in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be RIGHT there.
The children were nestled RIGHT snug in their beds,
while visions of sugarplums danced RIGHT in their heads,
And mama in her kerchief, and I in my cap,
had just settled RIGHT down for a long winter’s nap,
When RIGHT out on the LEFT lawn there rose such a clatter,
I sprang RIGHT from my bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the RIGHT window I LEFT like a flash;
tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
LEFT a luster of midday to objects RIGHT below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
but a miniature sleight and eight tiny reindeer.
With a little old driver RIGHT lively and quick;
I knew RIGHT in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came;
and he whistled and shouted, and called them RIGHT by name:
“Now, Dasher! Now, Dancer! Now, Prancer and Vixen!
On Comet, on Cupid, on Donder and Blitzen!
To the RIGHT top of the porch! To the LEFT top of the wall!
Now dash away, dash away, dash RIGHT away all!”
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly
when they meet RIGHT with an obstacle, mount RIGHT up to the sky,
So up to the housetop the coursers they LEFT flew,
with a sleighful of toys and St. Nicholas, too.
And then in a twinkling, I heard RIGHT on the roof,
the prancing and pawing of each little RIGHT and LEFT hoof.
As I drew in my head and was turning LEFT around
down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, RIGHT from his head to his LEFT foot,
and his clothes were all LEFT tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of toys he had flung RIGHT on his back,
and he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.
His RIGHT and LEFT eyes, how they twinkled! His dimples were RIGHTmerry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was LEFT drawn up like a bow,
and the beard LEFT on his chin was as white as the snow.
The stump of a pipe he held RIGHT in his teeth,
and the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a round little belly,
that shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly.
He was RIGHT chubby and plump, a RIGHT, RIGHT jolly old elf,
and I laughed when I saw him in spite of myself.
A wink of his LEFT eye and a LEFT twist of his head,
soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
He spoke not a word, but went RIGHT straight to his work,
and filled all the stockings; then turned LEFT with a jerk
And laying his finger to the LEFT of his nose,
and giving a nod, he LEFT up the chimney he rose.
He sprang RIGHT to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
and away they all LEFT like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he LEFT–out of sight,
“Happy Christmas to all and to all a good night!”

Here’s this month’s article from the Indiana Baptist. This would be a great New Year project for a church!

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Fresh Ideas

The 52 Challenge

By Diana Davis

“…Compel them to come in so that My house will be filled.” Luke 14:23b

Amazingly, nine out of ten unchurched people say they would come to church if they were asked.* Will you be the asker? I double-dare you to take the “52 Challenge”:

Step#1: Think of one person you know who doesn’t attend church. Only one. Invite that person to your church this Sunday and arrange to meet at the front door. Write their name on Sunday’s date in your personal calendar.  

Step #2: Commit to God that you will repeat that process weekly for one year.  Don’t know 52 lost people? Don’t fret.  Just ask God’s direction and watch for one person to invite this week.  Suddenly, you’ll notice masses of lost people around you. Need ideas?

• As you walk the dog and observe a neighbor outside, remember the 52 Challenge.
• Ask that friend you’ve been intending to invite.
• Invite the Wal-Mart greeter. How about your hairstylist, doctor, tax advisor or landlord?
• In the post office or grocery line, or riding the bus, converse with someone who needs an invitation.
• Make a list of relatives, acquaintances or neighbors, and systematically invite them.
• During coffee break at work or chatting with the butcher or working out at the gym, think “52.”
• Who could you invite at the PTA meeting, reunion, company picnic or ball game? 
• Ask your new neighbor, car salesman, insurance agent or sister-in-law. Invite your mail carrier, restaurant waiter, fireman, repairman, or mayor.  

During the next 52 weeks, write the name of the person you invite to church on every Sunday’s box of your calendar.  52 weeks. 52 people. One week at a time.

The 52 Challenge is for individuals, but a church can encourage personal invitations by providing “invitation business cards” with church address, worship times and website.  Attendance more than doubles at Plymouth Baptist’s annual Friend Day. How? Each member simply invites one friend.

What would happen if every Christian in Illiniois committed to ask just one person to church every week this year? They’re waiting for an invitation, and eternity is at stake.  Will you take the 52 Challenge? 

(*Statistic from Thom Rainer’s book, The Unchurched Next Door, Zondervan).  

I returned Thursday from five days in Texas, attending my daughter’s wedding shower and working on preparations for her January marriage. What a blessing to spend time with my precious daughter! But that’s not why I’m exhausted.

We drove home from Kokomo just a few minutes ago, where Steve and I led a Deacon and Deacon Wives Retreat for five churches. It was beautifully hosted by Pastor Mike and Shanna Sawyer at Indian Heights Baptist. God is certainly using those enthusiastic leaders across that area of our state. But that’s not why I’m exhausted.

I’m trying hard not to over-stress with my final heavy semester of seminary classes and research papers and tests and books. It’s extremely time-consuming, but will be worth the effort when it’s over! 

I’m exhausted, though, because as I prepared a bio for a new book proposal for a book about pastor wives, I began counting my speaking engagements for the recent past. No, I certainly don’t consider myself a fabulous speaker, but I love the opportunities God gives to encourage pastor wives and deacon wives and Christian women. 

Many times every month, I travel across Indiana with my husband and his work with Southern Baptist churches, and I’ve enjoyed dozens of opportunities to speak at ladies retreats and conferences in our state. 

In addition to Indiana engagements, I realized I’d been in 26 states and three foreign countries in the past year and a half, with speaking engagements in twenty of those…

• Indiana,
• California,
• Colorado,  
• Delaware,
• Florida,
• Georgia,
• Hawaii,
• Illinois,
• Iowa,
• Kansas,
• Kentucky,
• Maryland,
• Michigan,
• Minnesota,
• Missouri, 
• Montana,
• New Mexico,
• North Carolina,
• North Dakota,
• Ohio,
• Oklahoma,
• South Carolina,
• Tennessee, 
• Texas,
• Virginia,
• Wisconsin,
• Mexico,
• Cuba and
• Ukraine.

In the past couple of years, I’ve had 50 speaking engagements at national, statewide, associational or local church events–women’s conferences, retreats, luncheons, training for pastor and deacon wives and women’s ministry leaders.

When I see that big picture, I’m overwhelmed. Exhausted! On a week by week basis, it doesn’t seem like that much! 

Maybe that’s why the Lord instructed us to “cast all our cares upon Him, because He cares for you.”  I sure can’t handle this fun schedule alone, but with God, “all things are possible.” 

Well, maybe I’m not so exhausted…

Praising God for the opportunity to encourage His followers. Please keep us in your prayers.

Fresh Ideas for Women’s Ministry is featured in a two-page spread in B&H Publishing Group’s new Ministry Resource Catalog! 

—–

Ladies Retreat Idea:

The Whitewater Association’s women’s retreat today was such fun! I enjoyed facilitating a packed classroom of pastor wives, and encouraging them in their ministries.  I also had the privilege of leading a class about women’s ministry, and had a great group of women in that class, too. 

Their retreat theme was “Tree of Life” using these Scriptures:

First, the true wisdom “is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her” (Proverbs 3:18).

That true wisdom can be none other than Christ (I Corinthians 1:30, Colossians 2:3).

One lady created a beautiful wall-sized tree visual with the Scripture and theme, and breakout classes centered around wisdom from God. 

One thing I especially enjoyed was the relaxed schedule. Though they had plenty of group time and breakout classes and music and testimonies, the overall time felt calm and very relaxed.  Fun retreat!

Celebration Time:

(Pardon me for this personal post. But you’re going to love the book recommendations!)

I’m celebrating the completion of two more seminary classes -  

(1) Systematic Theology 11 - I’m really celebrating this one. I’m afraid I’m way over my intellectual capabilities, but still enjoyed the class. I probably spent eight hours trying to understand Jonathon Edwards “In Freedom of the Will.”  My term paper was about God’s immediate forgiveness and it engulfed weeks of my life. I just turned it in today and feel like I accomplished a thesis!  Praising God it’s all turned in.

(2) Personal Evangelism 565 - one of the best classes I’ve ever taken. Dr. David Wheeler is excellent. The assignments were multitudinous, but well worth the effort. 

Here are some really great books from the class that I highly recommend: 

          Family to Family (Pipes) - If you have kids, you’ve got to read this book. It’s a great idea book and instruction book for creating a family mission statement so your family will intentionally honor God. Read it!  

The Unexpected Journey(Rainer) - I don’t know how I missed this Rainer book, but it is un-put-downable.  Each chapter holds a captivating interview with a Christian who was saved from a different faith view — everything from mormonism to satanism to buddhism. Each explains how they found the one true God, and gives tips for Christians about how to share Christ with them.

 Share Jesus Without Fear (Fay) - I’d read this previously, but if you’ve missed it, it’s a must-read-twice book.  Quite inspiring and practical.

Radically Unchurched (Reid) - This book will knock your socks off. It is a factual, in-your-face revelation of reasons our churches are unable to reach the majority of our nation’s younger adults and youth.  Well worth reading.

The Art of Personal Evangelism(McRaney) - Perhaps the best book on personal evangelism I’ve read.  Very practical, usable, inspirational. Read it.

Oh, there were lots of other books in this class, but these are some I thought you’d love.

  Just three more seminary classes to go now…

—–

One more article published this week:

Let’s Worship Magazine Fall ‘08 - (Missions celebration idea)

—–

Book Signing: One more note–I get to do a book signing during the state convention on Friday evening at 5:30. (for convention details, see www.scbi.org).

It’s the 50th anniversary of Indiana’s Baptist Convention!

Check out the schedule on scbi.org and you’ll find a surprising line-up:  There’s the…

President of the Southern Baptist Convention - Dr. Morris Chapman, and

President of the Indiana Baptist Convention - Dr. William Bailey, and

President of International Mission Board - Dr. Jerry Rankin, and

President of LifeWay Christian Resources - Dr. Thom Rainer, and

President of Guidestone - Dr. O. S. Hawkins, and

President of New Orleans Theological Seminary - Dr. Chuck Kelley, and

President of North American Mission Board - Dr. Geoff Hammond, and

Executive Director of the Florida Baptist Convention - Dr. John Sullivan, and

Executive Director of the Women’s Missionary Union - Mrs. Wanda Lee, and

Executive Director of the State Convention of Baptists in Indiana - Steve Davis,

Can you believe that these important leaders from our national convention are coming to help us celebrate?

There will be former and current Indiana pastors and ministers and missionaries and church members from all across our state and country. 

If you’re an Indiana Baptist, don’t miss this chance to meet the key leaders of our national Southern Baptist Convention denomination, and enjoy chatting with many who’ve had a part in Indiana’s history - past, present and future. 

It all happens this week! Pastor’s Conference begins Thursday and the Convention begins Friday and continues Saturday.  Hope to see you there!

Just returned from a women’s retreat with Southside Baptist Church, and thought you might enjoy a couple of ideas I observed there. 

1)  Permeated theme.  My theme, “SHINE!”, was used everywhere! They prepared mini-skits for promotion in the church. For example, one lady arrives onstage laden with floodlights and Christmas lights and lanterns, etc. She states, “I heard they’re going to SHINE at the retreat, and I wanted to get a head start!”  There were stars and lights and candles everywhere–nametags, ceilings, notebooks, gift bags, entryway, etc. 

2)  Smile Prayer.  The team invited Sarah Bohrer and Heidi Hackney to lead worship–can’t beat that team!  Sarah also led a sun-up devotional time outside on the patio. Her conclusion was a time of encouragement and prayer like I’ve never seen before. She asked everyone to stand silently in a large circle. As they prayed for others in the circle, they were to make eye contact and smile as they prayed silently.  It was a very special time of silent (and personal) prayer for one another.

3) Photo Finish.  I’ve used this idea for staff parties, but it was absolutely perfect for a ladies retreat.  On the first evening of the retreat, the entire group was posed for a group photo. The next day, as ladies departed for home, they were presented with a small shine-themed gift, and a copy of the group photo. What a lovely surprise!  One team member’s husband took the photos and had copies made. If budget allows, you could even pick up cute frames at the dollar store for the photos. 

4) A visual promo idea. This church uses their group photos for its annual retreat promotion. They post a few group photos from previous years, labeled “Class of ‘02″ or “Class of ‘07″ and a caption, “Will you be in the ‘Class of ‘08′ Photo?”

Ladies’ retreats can be a great time of spiritual refreshment and growth, and can offer a fabulous opportunity for Christian fellowship.  Southside’s planning team did a wonderful job. It’s worth the effort!

New published articles by Diana: 

Minnesota-Wisconsin Baptist, September 08 issue

The Indiana Baptist - state convention magazine

Texas Baptist Crossroads magazine - article for Texas’ Baptist’s 10th anniversary

The Illinois Baptist, September issue

The Indiana Baptist, state convention magazine

B&H Publishing Group’s Book & Bible Update newsletter

What a fun weekend! I got to participate in Ohio’s state Baptist women’s retreat, leading a breakout class about Fresh Ideas for Women’s Ministry book. They had a huge crowd of joyful ladies, and the setting was gorgeous.

And I had the privilege of sharing at the annual Ladies Day at Eastern Heights Baptist Church in Jeffersonville IN. You wouldn’t believe what a lovely event they planned.

Over the weekend, though, several different women shared their own personal story of salvation with me.  One lady from another country told how, at an extremely troubled point in her life as an atheist,  she knelt and prayed for God to find her! Then, she said, “I met David Jeremiah!” She didn’t actually meet him; she found him on the radio, and proceeded to devour his teachings, prayed to receive Christ while sitting in her living room, and discovered that she needed to find a local church for discipleship and service. “So here I am!” she said.  An active, faithful member of the church, she continues to grow in her love for Christ.

They had a lovely setup for a book signing in Ohio, with sofas by a fireplace, and an opportunity to sit and visit with ladies who came.  Three different ladies told me about how they found Christ as their Savior. Three more amazing stories of a great God providing an eternal plan for an individual person. 

As I reflected on the weekend, many blessings could be listed, but the greatest one was hearing the life-changing story of how women found God’s salvation.

And after all that, Steve and I got to spend Sunday with our wonderful son in Ohio on his birthday. What a blessed weekend!