Books and Assignments for Unit Retreat 1-3, April 20-22, 2012

Book List for NRSD UR 1-3, April 20-22, 2012

• Foundations of the Christian Faith: A Comprehensive and Readable Theology, Dr. James Montgomery Boice, IVP, 1986. (Systematic Theology)
• Turning Points: Decisive Moments in the History of Christianity, Mark A. Noll, Baker Academic, 2000. (Church History)
• Watchman Prayer, Dutch Sheets, Regal, 2000. (Prayer Talk)
• The Treasure Principle: Discovering the Secret of Joyful Giving, Randy Alcorn, Multnomah, 2001 (Sunday Seminar on Stewardship)

Optional Texts for More Reading:

• Streams of Living Water, Richard J. Foster, Harper, 1998.
• Angels, Billy Graham,1994.

Assignments for NRSD UR 1-3, April 20-22, 2012

• Systematic Theology: Boice, Pages 109-116; 147-175
• Church History: Noll, Read/skim as much as you can handle
•  Sunday Seminar: all of Alcorn’s book. You will love it.
• Personal Portfolio: The “Strengths Finder” if you can afford it…  &  Journal and/or draw a life map, and mark the turning points, road signs where there were significant life forming events, good or bad, and where God changed directions or really showed up…

Post Retreat Wrap Up, January 18th, 2012

I am anxious to share some messages that I have received from you all since the retreat. Dayn Lukes was happy to get my personal message to him about the retreat going well. Here is his response to the part I added telling him that I hope he can come to one of the school retreats sometime:

I'm jealous to come to one of the retreats--I feel a bit like Paul to the Romans:

 "I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles." (Ro 1:11-13)

But, until that Kairos moment I am happy and privileged to journey and be with you all from afar in KC.  Oh, the hope and joy in the Sovereignty of God.  I love it.

Myanna was good enough to send some ideas for eval, along with her note of encouragement that she thought the retreat was great. Thanks, Myanna!

Jenny is her usual encouraging self, Marilyn has a cold – pray for her!

Mark has a good story to tell of what the Lord is stirring in his heart…

And I… well I am “regrouping” as Steve puts it. Those retreats are tiring! But I loved it. God is so present with us, and he continues to assure me that he has big plans for his harvest for us! I am excited about that.

If you have an item to share, or any suggestions, be sure to post them on this blog.

I uploaded some docs to google docs, and I think I emailed notice to you of their existence there… but HELP! DREW! It doesn’t seem like I quite have this down yet…

And for those that missed some sessions and were counting on a video… well, that is a work in progress, so we will let you know…

I am going to post ASAP: For NRSD UR 1-3: April 20-22, 2012

·       Book List

·       Assignments

Keep checking, and again, if you don’t get notice of the school blog into your email box, be sure you are signed up for notifications.

Thanks for your part in the wonderful retreat,

Joanie Tyvoll, also for Steve-O 

Hail, Cohort (have you noticed that it is hard to use a commonplace greeting with the stately “COHORT” title? I feel I have to use something regal, roman centurian sounding…)

This is just a last minute reminder for the retreat this weekend. Bring:

·        Laptop

·        Bible

·        Personal journal

·        Warm clothes for outdoors (maybe a bonfire Friday or Saturday night?)

A suggestion from last retreat was to have some personal reflection time. That is tough with our packed schedule, but we have squeezed in a time or two for your personal journaling and prayer.

Steve and I are getting all set up, we are so excited! See you soon! Steve-O and Joanie 

This is a special note to the women in NRSD, and perhaps women you know who feel called to ministry. This is a very encouraging letter written to women in seminary from Kyle Roberts. Kyle Roberts is Assistant Professor of Systematic Theology and Lead Faculty of Christian Thought, Bethel Seminary (St. Paul, MN).

  I wish he had been at Bethel Seminary while I was there, it would have made things easier for me (and the other women there of course).

Women, read this and take heart that God knows what he is doing by calling you into leadership ministry places. God is also raising up men who have the courage to confront the popular and strong viewpoint that wants to “put we women in our place”. You are called by God, and he will defend you and promote you!

http://www.patheos.com/Resources/Additional-Resources/Open-Letter-to-Women-in-Seminary-Kyle-Robert-11-01-2011?offset=0&max=1

See you all on Friday for supper! Yay!

Joan Tyvoll

January 3, 2012
Greetings, Cohort!
I am assuming that everyone is back to work, school, and normal routines! I have to confess I find it a relief by now to be back to a normal schedule, but then that is my “Melancholy” go by the book personality. If you are a sanguine… well, you are still looking for a party to attend!

We had a wonderful Christmas with family and friends. I hope yours was blessed too. Now, back to work.

I am in the school groove in a big way again this week – and if you pray for me real hard, hopefully everything will be ready for you when you show up on Norwegian Ridge come January 13th – only 10 days away. Wow.

Steve and I spent several hours yesterday hashing through some pieces of the Sys Theo class, and the Bible study class. It just reminds me again of the reality of this cohort being our guinea pigs – thanks for the grace you extend to us as we figure the school content and the curriculum out.

 It will be an interesting retreat as we tackle more doctrine, Bible study, Ben’s emotional intelligence workshop and Postmodernism.

We are officially welcoming Mark Ducklow and Karissa Long as members of the cohort this time. They are committed and excited to be part of this first NRSD class, and it will be fun to get to know them and make them part of the gang.

I don't know what the weather will be on January 13-15th. Bring warm clothes and boots if you want to take some walks outside... I am afraid the snow (such as it is) will be gone again by then, so snow shoeing doesn't seem likely. What a difference from last winter.

Come prayed up and take your vitamins… this will be another intense, fun time.

Love and Hugs,
Steve and Joanie Tyvoll