January is a busy month

I can not believe that it has been nearly a month and a half since I blogged last.  January has proven to be a busy time for Pastors.  Between the wind down from Christmas, having several baptisms and then gearing up for Lent.  Then to top it off, I had two conferences to go to.  One of the conferences was FCTE (First Call Theological Education).  This is basically a gathering of new pastors to get together and talk about what is new and what is difficult.  This was a really good conference to get to talk to others and find out how they are doing and share what I have been doing. 

The second conference was for Mid Winter Convocation at Luther Seminary.  Many of the topics and speakers was much of what I had heard within seminary.  It was good to stop and reflect on some of the good things that we have done and continued within the congregation that I am currently serving.  It was also great to see some seminary friends.  However, there was one person who I wish had not come but unfortunately God will pretty much accept anyone into his space.  The conferences were good in my opinion because it gave me some time to step out of my schedule and to actually stop and reflect.  It reminded me of the importance of sabbath and to listen for God within the world.